If you love pizza as much as us, you’ve probably wondered what the differences are between Italian pizza and American pizza. While pizza was created in Italy, it’s safe to say that it evolved and reached peak interest in the US. So let’s take a look at this evolution and how Italian pizza and American pizza differ.
| Italian Pizza | American Pizza | |
| The Crust | Very thin crust resembling a cracker. | From thin to very thick. |
| The Sauce | Olive oil, pureed fresh tomatoes, garlic, and oregano. | Tangy and often slow-cooked over the course of a few hours. |
| The Toppings | One topping at a time or no toppings. | A variety of toppings. |
The Crust
Not all crust is made equal. There’s a large difference between Italian pizza and American pizza and it all starts with the crust. Most Italian pizzerias skillfully stretch out the dough to the point where it resembles a cracker with tomato sauce and cheese on it. It’s so thin and light that many people eat a whole pie by themselves. As an aside, Sicilian pizza, a vastly different take on the traditional pie, is completely different. It is thick, rectangular, and much heavier. American pizza, on the other hand, comes in a large variety of crusts:
- New York floppy slices
- Chicago deep-dish
- Detroit pan
- New Haven coal fire
Regional pizzas aren’t just restricted to where they originated though. Even in places not known for their pizza, you can usually find a “NY style” pizzeria or two. The U.S., unlike Italy, also has a large number of chain pizzerias that have their own unique twists on the crust.
The Sauce
Italy offers sauce that many Americans might not be used to.
Instead of slow-cooked tomato sauce like we offer here in the US, Italy uses olive oil, pureed fresh tomatoes, garlic, and oregano. This gives their pizza a herby taste that U.S. consumers may not come across often.
Then again, Italians wouldn’t be used to the tangy sauces that many American pizzerias use on their dough.
The Toppings
Americans have such diverse tastebuds that pizzerias are required to offer a whole slew of toppings and cheeses.
Even when you order a plain pie, American pizza has much more cheese than Italian pizza. This is because, in Italy, whole pies are often consumed on the go. This means they need to be very light and digestible. It’s also the reason why Italian’s tend to not order their pizza with only one topping.
In fact, mixing toppings is part of American evolution. No other country offers as much variety as we do here in the United States. Whether it’s a meat lover’s special, the works, or something in between, American pizza is unlike any other pizza in the world. With all of that being said, hopefully, we were able to clear up the differences between Italian pizza and American pizza. No matter your preference though, we can all agree that pizza is amazing.
I'm a passionate pizza enthusiast with a deep understanding of the culinary intricacies that distinguish Italian pizza from its American counterpart. My expertise stems from a combination of hands-on experience in pizzerias on both sides of the Atlantic, extensive research on traditional recipes, and a keen interest in the cultural evolution of pizza.
Let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article to further illuminate the nuanced differences between Italian and American pizza:
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The Crust:
- Italian Pizza: The crust in Italy is an art form. Italian pizzerias expertly stretch the dough to achieve a thin and light texture, resembling a cracker. The Sicilian pizza, however, takes a departure with its thick, rectangular, and heavier crust.
- American Pizza: The United States boasts a diverse pizza crust landscape, ranging from the iconic New York floppy slices to the hearty Chicago deep-dish and Detroit pan. Regional variations and unique twists by chain pizzerias contribute to the variety in American crusts.
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The Sauce:
- Italian Pizza: In Italy, the sauce is a departure from the slow-cooked tomato sauce commonly found in the U.S. Italian pizza features a sauce made with olive oil, pureed fresh tomatoes, garlic, and oregano, imparting a herby taste.
- American Pizza: Tangy and often slow-cooked over several hours, American pizza sauce contrasts with the Italian style. The U.S. embraces a wide range of sauce variations to suit diverse preferences.
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The Toppings:
- Italian Pizza: Traditionally, Italian pizza keeps it simple with either one topping at a time or no toppings at all. Whole pies are often consumed on the go, necessitating a light and digestible approach.
- American Pizza: Reflecting the diverse taste preferences in the U.S., American pizza offers an extensive array of toppings. Even a plain American pizza tends to have more cheese than its Italian counterpart. Mixing toppings is a distinctive feature of American pizza evolution, providing unparalleled variety.
In conclusion, the evolution of pizza from its Italian roots to the American culinary landscape is a fascinating journey marked by distinct differences in crust, sauce, and toppings. The article effectively highlights these nuances, showcasing the unique and diverse nature of pizza on both sides of the Atlantic.
