What is Margherita Pizza? | Made in New York Pizza (2024)

Margherita pizza is an Italian specialty that originated in Naples. This pizza is protected in Italy, meaning it must be prepared in a specific way to bear the “pizza Margherita” label, and the Italian government certifies bakeries that make it. This pizza is extremely simple, focusing on fresh, wholesome ingredients and high-quality bread dough. It is also the foundation for many pizzas served around the world; most people can get a local pizza place, and cooks can make it at home.

Garlic is frequently used in Margherita pizza. Traditional Neapolitan pizza is made with a dough made of flour, salt, and yeast. The dough is mixed, kneaded, and formed into rounds before being covered in toppings of the cook’s choice and baked in a high-temperature oven. The high temperature causes the dough to become very crispy; some Italians prefer theirs almost burnt, and it sears the toppings. Thepizza is ready for slicing, serving, and eating after only a few minutes.

Pizza Margherita is entirely made with mozzarella cheese, which should be as fresh as possible. They use mozzarella di bufala, an Italian type of mozzarella. You can then top it with some fresh tomatoes from Italy. If you can’t find San Marzano canned tomatoes, you’ll have to make do with regular canned tomatoes.

Margherita pizza is a traditional Italian dish. This Margherita pizza, adapted from Roberta’s restaurant in Brooklyn, is low on cheese (less than 3 ounces of fresh mozzarella) and high on the sauce. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil, and a few freshly torn basil leaves on top of the sauce.

It tastes like fresh mozzarella. The sauce tastes sweet and tangy, similar to marinara or pasta sauce. The crust is delicious, with charred bubbles reminiscent of Neapolitan pizza. It’s difficult, but it’s doable.

What is Margherita Pizza? | Made in New York Pizza (1)

Why is it Called a Margherita Pizza?

The Italian Queen Margherita of Savoy, who reigned from 1878 to 1900, decided to pay a state visit to Naples with her husband, King Umberto I, in 1889. According to legend, the queen became tired of the gourmet French cuisine served on the trip and asked Raffaele Esposito of Pizzeria Brandi, Naples’ most famous pizzamaker, to make her pizza.

According to legend, the pizza she preferred was made with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, which also happened to be the three colors of the Italian flag. Isn’t it convenient? The dish was named after Queen Margherita by Esposito, and the rest is disputed history.

Another story theorizes that the word Margherita translates to “daisy” in Italian, so the pizza got its name from the daisy-shaped arrangement of mozzarella and basil on top of the pizza.

What is the difference between a margarita pizza and a regular pizza?

The main distinction is that Margherita pizza is made with fresh mozzarella, which contains more liquid than regular mozzarella. The mozzarella on an American cheese pizza is drier than on a specialty pizza. Margherita’s recipe calls for fresh tomatoes and basil every time. These ingredients can be found in American pies as well.

A Margherita pizza is technically a cheese pizza, but a regular cheese pizza’ is a simpler dish with tomato sauce and cheese on top. While mozzarella is the most common cheese used on a cheese pizza, other cheeses such as parmesan may be used in the toppings to create a unique flavor profile.

What is Margherita Pizza? | Made in New York Pizza (2)

Made in New York Pizzais a Manhattan pizzeria that serves the best pizza in town. Our pizza chefs prepare authentic New York-style pizza with the freshest ingredients for those who live in the city or are visiting for the first time and have always wanted to try a slice from a real New York pizzeria.

Our goal is to become the epitome of what people think of when they think of New York-style pizza. It doesn’t matter if it’s a square or a triangle, as long as the flavors satisfy our customers’ tastes. Made in New York, Pizza, endorsed by culinary and celebrity luminaries, is becoming a community staple. We already have multiple locations, including our original Upper West Side shop and a new West Village location that features NFTs in our artwork.

Every time they order from our menu, kids and adults alike will appreciate the flavors of our various types of pizza. Since our inception, we have expanded our reach to multiple Manhattan neighborhoods, allowing more people to easily obtain the pizza they crave.

What is Margherita Pizza? | Made in New York Pizza (2024)

FAQs

What is New York Margherita pizza? ›

So, what are those toppings! A pizza margherita (or margherita pizza) is made with basil, tomato, extra virgin olive oil, and thin slices of fresh mozzarella.

What makes a Margherita pizza different from regular pizza? ›

The main distinction is that Margherita pizza is made with fresh mozzarella, which contains more liquid than regular mozzarella. The mozzarella on an American cheese pizza is drier than on a specialty pizza. Margherita's recipe calls for fresh tomatoes and basil every time.

What does Margherita mean in pizza? ›

margherita in British English

(ˌmɑːɡəˈriːtə ) noun. a variety of pizza topped with tomato, basil, and mozzarella cheese.

What does Margherita pizza have on it? ›

Pizza Margherita or Margherita pizza is a typical Neapolitan pizza, roundish in shape with a raised edge (the cornicione) and garnished with hand-crushed peeled tomatoes, mozzarella (buffalo mozzarella or fior di latte), fresh basil leaves, and extra virgin olive oil.

Why is it called Margherita pizza? ›

Origin and history

A widespread belief says that in June 1889 the pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito, Pizzeria Brandi's chef, invented a dish called “Pizza Margherita” in honor of the Queen of Italy, Margherita of Savoy, and the Italian unification.

What's the difference between margarita and Margherita? ›

Let's clear things up so you can use them both in your writing correctly. Margarita is an alcoholic beverage made with tequila and lime juice. Margherita is pizza made with mozzarella cheese and fresh basil.

What is the point of Margherita pizza? ›

Margherita pizza is known for its ingredients representing the colours of the Italian flag. These ingredients include red tomato sauce, white mozzarella and fresh green basil. When all of these delicious flavours are combined on a hand-kneaded pizza base, a universally-adored pizza is created.

Is Margherita pizza healthier than regular pizza? ›

They're also a major dietary source of lycopene, which is an antioxidant linked to reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer. And unlike some regular cheese pizzas which have sugar added in the sauce, traditional Margherita pizza has no added sugar.

Is Margherita pizza just cheese and tomato? ›

What Is A Margherita Pizza? A traditional Neapolitan Margherita pizza recipe is tomato sauce with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil which represent the colours of the Italian flag – white cheese, green basil and red tomato.

How do you eat a Margherita pizza? ›

You cut the pizza yourself and then eat it with a knife and fork, the most common way, or fold each slice and eat it with your hands. Bear in mind that your pizza will be very hot, so folding and eating it with your hands can be dicey.

Is Margherita pizza supposed to have sauce? ›

Made with fresh marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and basil, Margherita pizza is simple, classic, so easy, and absolutely delicious!

What is a fun fact about Margherita pizza? ›

Margherita pizza resembles the italian flag

It was said that the baker Raffaele Esposito, baked a pizza for the King and Queen in 1889. The pizza itself resembled the colours of the Italian flag, tomatoes for red, white for mozzarella and green for basil leaves. And voila!

What is the healthiest type of pizza? ›

Opt for a thin-crust pizza instead of a deep-dish. Skip the stuffed pizza crusts and dipping sauces. Enjoy your slice of pizza with a side salad or cooked vegetables. Top your pizza with lean protein, like chicken strips, instead of processed meat, like pepperoni.

What pizza chain makes Margherita pizza? ›

The Margherita pizza is one of Domino's special pizzas created exclusively for cheese lovers.

What is the difference between caprese pizza and Margherita pizza? ›

Cheese is the primary distinction between Caprese and Margherita Pizza. Traditionally, mozzarella cheese is used to make Margherita pizza, whereas buffalo milk mozzarella is used to make Caprese pizza. Buffalo milk mozzarella shrinks less when heated because it contains more moisture. Its flavor is stronger as well.

What is the difference between regular pizza and New York Pizza? ›

New-York style pies are often easily distinguishable because of their extra-large and thin crust. The crust isn't as chewy as that in the traditional pie. Because the base isn't as complex as that of traditional pizzas, it is the perfect backdrop for loading up on layers of toppings and cheese.

What makes New York Pizza so different? ›

New York-style pizza has slices that are large and wide with a thin crust that is foldable yet crispy. It is traditionally topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, with any extra toppings placed on top of the cheese. Pizza without additional toppings is called “plain,” “regular,” or “cheese.”

What defines New York style pizza? ›

New York-style pizza is large, hand-tossed thin crust. Sold in big slices. While the crust is thick and crispy at the edge, the center of the pie is thin and foldable so that the large slice can be folded up and eaten. Traditionally toppings are just sauce and cheese.

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