Italian Pizza vs American Pizza: Key Differences To Know

Pizza originated in Italy and is not only consumed in Italy; one of Italy's specialties has become the most beloved food worldwide. Pizza variations are increasingly diverse and follow the characteristics of each country, with Italian immigrants introducing their styles and flavours. For example, pizza in Italy is slightly different from American pizza, primarily due to fresh tomato sauce and high-quality ingredients. You may not know the prominent difference between the two because many think pizza is just a round dough with toppings. However, they have different characteristics in terms of crust, texture, and toppings.

Which pizza would be the best for you, Italian pizza vs. American pizza?

Cheese

Italian pizza usually uses fresh mozzarella that melts into creamy puddles and doesn’t overpower the other ingredients. In Naples, mozzarella is the gold standard, protected under Italian food laws, and is a key component of authentic pizza. The aim is balance—where cheese enhances, not dominates, the overall flavour.

At Piccolino, this tradition is honoured with Italian woodfired pizzas that use quality mozzarella on classic favourites like the Prosciutto, Capricciosa, and Salame. Each pizza is baked in a woodfired oven to bring out the natural flavour of the ingredients while keeping the cheese soft, creamy, and perfectly melted.

Conversely, pizza in the US is all about the cheese pull. Most pizzerias use shredded low-moisture mozzarella for stretch, often blended with cheddar, provolone, or processed cheese to increase richness. The result is gooey and bold, designed to satisfy in every bite.

Pizza crust

The crusts of Italian and American pizzas differ significantly because Italians love simplicity and tradition. The pizza they consume is usually made with flour, water, salt, and yeast and then fractionated quickly for better flavour. The crust is thin but chewy, and has a light char from a woodfired oven, making it taste authentic.

However, American pizza provides a broader variety of crust options. It has a thick and fluffy pan crust and usually uses oil or butter in the dough. It also has an ultra-thin crust pizza option with a crispy texture.

Texture

Because it has a thin and simple dough, Italian pizza gives a light impression for its texture when eaten. Even so, it doesn't completely give a crispy texture because of the thin dough, which also provides a chewy texture. Like crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, a characteristic often sought in thin-crust pizza. The edges of the pizza are also very popular, along with the puffs that make Italian pizza look more iconic.

Unlike Italian pizza, American pizza provides a lot of texture in each part. The edges of the pizza are usually crispy, but the centre part is very chewy and soft because the dough is generally thick. American pizza texture is intentional because it's made to support generous layers of cheese, sauce, and meat, showcasing the unique style of pizza that distinguishes it from Italian varieties.

The toppings

You will usually only find a few carefully selected ingredients in an Italian pizza, such as fresh basil, mozzarella, and San Marzano tomatoes. Simple and few toppings are a hallmark of Italian pizza, as they prefer to emphasise quality and balance. While Americans use various toppings, Italian pizza tends to focus on fewer toppings, highlighting the differences between American and Italian pizza. 

In contrast, Americans use various pizza topping ideas like pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, pineapple, and extra cheese. There is room for creativity and excess, and that's what people love. As a result, they have a heavier base that can handle all the toppings Americans love.

Pizza sauce

Italian pizza sauce is often uncooked and straightforward, especially in traditional Italian recipes. For example, they prefer to use crushed tomatoes, a little olive oil, and maybe a pinch of salt, which looks simpler than American pizza. American pizza sauce is usually cooked and seasoned with more ingredients. Many ingredients impart intense flavours, such as garlic, onions, oregano, sugar, and sometimes red pepper flakes. As a result, they make a bolder and thicker sauce!

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While Italian pizza is known for its simplicity, American pizza offers another option with a thicker texture and more toppings for a more varied look! Do you like thin and simple pizza or toppings and cheese that will spoil your tummy more? Either way, both styles have their delicious charm!

If you want to try woodfired pizza, typical of authentic Italian pizza,  Piccolino Woodfired Pizza and Homemade Pasta might be your best option.

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