How to Make Roman-Style Pizza

Eguaogie Eghosa
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Jul 20, 2022

Throughout human history, flatbreads, or rounds of dough with varied toppings, have been consumed. Pizza's origins can be traced to Naples, Italy in the Middle Ages. The term "pizza" is also attributed to the Italians, but its exact origin is unknown. It might have arisen from the verb to season or pinch, or from the Italian word for point, pizziare, which means to pinch or pluck.

Pizza comes in a variety of forms in Italy. With San Marzano tomatoes or pomodorino vesuviano and either buffalo mozzarella (made from the milk of coveted Agerolese cows) or fior di latte (mozzarella created from the milk of Italian Mediterranean buffalo), the Neapolitan pizza, or Naples-style pizza, is made with particularity (a variety of grape tomato grown in Naples) as part of the local meal plans, much like the popular wraps of the day seen in modern dining options.

When making Roman-style pizza, onions and olives are frequently substituted for tomatoes, a 16th-century import. By using anchovies alongside olives and onions, the Ligurian pizza is similar to the pissaladière of Provence, France. Pizza originated in Italy and has since spread to most of the rest of the world. In countries outside of Italy, the toppings used on pizza differ depending on the ingredients readily available and the chosen flavour profile.

Start with pizza al taglio, or pizza made in the Roman manner, if you want to learn how to make real Italian pizza. No pizza stone is necessary because it bakes on a sheet pan, and a little olive oil makes the dough easy to handle.

How Is Roman-Style Pizza Made?

Rectangular Roman-style pizza is a popular type of pizza served on Rome's streets, but it's very simple to make at home. This pizza is frequently sliced with scissors and sold by weight in bakeries and food carts in Italy as pizza al taglio ("pizza by the cut" or "pizza romana"). Pizza al taglio is rectangular and goes well with a variety of toppings, just like focaccia. Roman-style pizza does not proof in the baking tray like focaccia bread, resulting in a crispy, airy crust as opposed to a spongy, tall one.

What Sets Roman-Style Pizza Apart from Neapolitan Pizza?

Pizza al taglio and pizza napoletana are both Italian bread-based foods, but that is where the similarities end.

City of origin: Roman pizza is from Rome, whereas Neapolitan pizza is from Naples. Although only two and a half hours separate the two cities, they have very different cultures.
Crust: Neapolitan pizza has a paper-thin crust and is rounded in shape. A pizza made in the Roman style has a somewhat thicker crust and a rectangular form.
Cooking time: Napoletana pizza typically bakes in a stone or brick oven for just a few minutes. It takes a little longer to cook pizza al taglio so that the crust can be the perfect combination of chewy and light.
Serving Method: Pizza is traditionally eaten with a knife and fork in Naples, where pizzerias provide one complete pie per customer. Pizza al taglio is frequently served at bakeries in Rome. In the display case, there are big, rectangular pies with a range of toppings. The baker will cut the pizza using scissors and package it in a paper bag after you place your weight-based pizza order.
Toppings: Margherita pizza, which is a staple, is typically served with the traditional toppings on a Neapolitan pizza (tomato, mozzarella, and fresh basil). Pizza bianca (white pizza), potato pizza, sausage and pesto pizza, and other toppings are frequently available in a bakery that sells Roman-style pizza.
Dough: Roman-style dough is created with olive oil for a richer and more malleable dough that becomes extra-crispy as it bakes, unlike Neapolitan pizza dough, which is produced only with wheat, water, sea salt, and yeast.

Four Roman-Style Pizza Making Tips

Here's a recipe for the best Roman-style pizza you can prepare at home.

Use freshly made dough. Fresh pizza dough is a must for any pizza recipe. Local pizzerias frequently sell pre-made pizza dough in a pinch, which has superior flavor to the frozen commercial variants.
Find high-quality components. Make sure your cheese and toppings are the tastiest and freshest you can get, because pizza doesn't need a long list of ingredients. Fresh mozzarella, ricotta, and other cheeses can be found in local Italian delis, along with premium meats, tomatoes, and extra-virgin olive oil.
Don’t be alarmed by the heat. While the majority of Italian breads and pizzas are prepared in extremely hot stone or brick ovens, Roman-style pizza is frequently prepared in industrial electric ovens. You'll need to turn up the heat to get a crisp crust while making this in your home oven.
In terms of toppings, fewer is better. Even though your first reaction might be to add a ton of toppings, putting too much liquid or weight on the crust will make the pie heavy and soggy. A little bit of everything should be in each bite, but room should be left between the toppings to allow for the crust to rise and crisp up during baking.

Roman-style pizza recipe

MAKES: 2 pizzas

READY TIME: 20 minutes

10 minutes COOK TIME

Time Total: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Pizza dough ingredients include:

Lukewarm water, 6 ounces
1 active dry yeast packet
1 tablespoon of olive oil plus additional amounts for surfaces
2 cups of all-purpose flour, plus extra for surfaces
14 teaspoon salt.

For assembly:

1/4 cup olive oil (for a pizza bianca), 1/2 cup grated or crushed tomatoes, or 1/2 cup tomato sauce (for a tomato-based pie). – 6 ounces of Ricotta or fresh Buffalo mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup of various toppings, such as cherry tomatoes, artichokes, arugula, shaved zucchini, sausage, prosciutto, pepperoni, or sausage.

The Future of Pizza:

Pizza has been a mainstay since the dawn of human civilization and its appeal doesn't seem to be waning. So-called gourmet pizzas can be found on the menus or meal plans of luxury restaurants. These pizzas are constructed with pastry dough, goat cheese, and escargot. And despite growing knowledge of cholesterol and fat content, a slice of pizza overflowing with cheese and pepperoni is a beloved snack in storefront pizzerias and food courts in shopping malls.

The food with the highest global popularity ranking is pizza. About 5 billion pizzas are consumed annually. The open-faced sandwich is also the dish that gets photographed the most. It is understandable why there is a day set aside to honour pizza.

Conclusion regarding Pizza

Pizza probably doesn't need an introduction. One of the most popular dishes in meal plans in the entire world is this much-loved one. Pizza's appeal hasn't diminished at all since its inception.

Pizza is a preferred entrée for celebrations, dates, and practically every other special occasion. Glutamate, a substance that stimulates human taste buds in a unique way, is abundant in the cheese and toppings of pizza. It is hardly surprising that it is a favourite meal for many people worldwide.

Unexpectedly, pizza wasn't always considered a noble food. It was originally just basic street food for peasants. When Raffaele Esposito refined it for Queen Margherita, it became well-known.

Pizza continues to be quite popular for a variety of reasons. Songs have been written about pizza since it has permeated modern culture. It is simpler for people to enjoy because every nation has its own version of pizza. Pizza has the ability to unite people like no other cuisine does.