Neapolitan style pizza, a classic Italian style of pizza, is one of the most simple, yet distinctive pizza types out there. It features a thin, soft, and chewy crust, often with a slightly charred and blistered edge. This pizza is typically small, about 10-12 inches in diameter, and cooked at high temperatures. Neapolitan pizza highlights the quality of its few ingredients, emphasizing simplicity and tradition.

Who Invented Neapolitan Pizza?

We can trace the invention of Neapolitan pizza back to 18th century Naples, Italy. More specifically, we can thank Naples' working-class for the authentic Neapolitan pizza! People sought a quick and affordable meal that was both delicious and satisfying. Street vendors began selling flatbreads topped with simple ingredients like olive oil and mozzarella cheese. The key innovation, however, came with the addition of tomato sauce. This transformed the flatbread into something closer to what we know as pizza today. Tomato sauce, combined with fresh mozzarella cheese and a drizzle of olive oil, became the classic toppings that defined Neapolitan pizza. Initially, it was a food for the common people, often eaten on the go or as a fast, inexpensive meal. Its popularity grew, and pizzerias dedicated to this style of pizza began to emerge in Naples. Over time, Neapolitan pizza gained recognition in Italy. With time, the iconic dish started becoming popular all over the globe, too! Today, it remains a beloved symbol of Italian culinary heritage, cherished for its delicious, authentic, and time-tested recipe.

What is on a Traditional Neapolitan Pizza?

Traditional Neapolitan pizza, a classic style, features minimalistic yet flavorful toppings. Everything starts with a thin layer of tomato sauce from San Marzano tomatoes, distributed evenly over the dough. Next is fresh mozzarella cheese, typically from buffalo milk, and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil to enhance richness. What's interesting about this pie is that it requires extremely high temperatures to bake. This method creates a puffy, slightly charred crust in under 90 seconds. The dough, made with flour, water, salt, and yeast, is hand-stretched to perfection. This way, it develops a thin center and slightly thicker, airy edge, puffing up during cooking. The focus is quality over quantity, keeping the ingredients simple, yet impactful.

How Many Calories Are in a Neapolitan Pizza Slice?

A slice of Neapolitan pizza typically contains 200-250 calories. This calorie count can vary depending on factors like toppings, slice size, and cheese quantity. Toppings like cheese variations, garlic, or olives can add calories. Smaller or larger slices naturally have fewer or more calories. The thin crust in Neapolitan pizza is lighter than thicker crusts in other pizzas. Nutritionally, Neapolitan pizza offers protein from cheese, fiber from tomato sauce, and vitamins/minerals like vitamins A and C and potassium. Olive oil provides healthy fats.

Neapolitan Pizza Restaurant Near Me

Now that you know more about the classic Neapolitan pizza, we're sure you're feeling hungry! That's why we've prepared a list of some of our favorite restaurants that serve this amazing dish. In New York, we'd like to highlight Lenz's Delicatessen. If you're in Philly, we recommend you give Lazos Pizza & Grill a try! Finally, to everybody in Washington D.C., we're recommending Pizzarro.