Neapolitan vs Sicilian Pizza- What is the Difference?

An authentic Neapolitan pizza is round, with a very thin base, an extremely light and crisp texture, and simple toppings. It’s a classic example of ‘less is more’; the quality of the tomatoes, cheese, and olive oil used to make it comes through clearly. An authentic Sicilian pizza is rectangular in shape, and has a thicker base with more moisture. Its topping is also much more substantial – in quantity as well as ingredients – than its Neapolitan counterpart. It might look like one small variation between two types of pizza that are so similar as to be practically identical. But the truth could not be further from that assumption. The history behind each type of Neapolitan vs Sicilian pizza reveals why they couldn’t be more different.

Explaining the Differences

As with any other similar foods, pizzas may be made with different bases and toppings, and be eaten in different ways. But, the most essential difference between each type of pizza is the method in which it is made. This is true for most of the other pizza types, too. Each variation is made in a different way, and has a different texture, consistency, and flavor as a result. The pizza base is the foundation of every pizza. It is the first thing you put in your mouth, and the thing that will stay in your stomach the longest, which is why the recipe for the dough is so important. The base of the dough is the most important thing when you’re making pizza. It’s just like the canvas of a painting: The colors and shapes might change, but the canvas always stays the same. The kind of flour, the amount of yeast, water temperature, and kneading method are some of the most essential things when making the dough for any type of pizza. But the recipe for each type of pizza varies in many other ways. What ingredients are used in the dough, how the dough is stretched and baked, and how long it is cooked for are just a few examples of how different types of pizza are made.

Neapolitan Pizza History

Neapolitan pizzas are traditionally topped with only a few ingredients, such as a limited amount of tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves. It is baked in a very hot oven for only a few minutes, to keep its light and crispy texture. The base is crisp and somewhat chewy, but not tough or doughy like the base of a Sicilian pizza would be. The history of the Neapolitan pizza dates back to the mid-19th century, when the Italian people migrated from the Naples area to the southern part of the United States. They brought with them their famous pizza, and it became a very popular dish throughout the country.

Sicilian Pizza History

Sicilian pizzas are made with a much less limited amount of toppings, compared to their Neapolitan cousins. They are typically topped with a generous amount of sauce, various cured meats, and a generous amount of cheese. The base of each pizza is noticeably thicker and much more doughy than the Neapolitan pizza. The history of the Sicilian pizza dates back to the mid-19th century, when the Italian people migrated from the Naples area to the eastern part of the United States. They brought with them their famous pizza, and it became a very popular dish throughout the country.

Key Differences Between Neapolitan and Sicilian Pizzas

The key difference between Neapolitan vs Sicilian pizza is the texture and thickness of the base. The Neapolitan pizza has a very light and crispy base, which is the result of baking it at a very high temperature for a short amount of time. In contrast, the Sicilian pizza has a thick, doughy base that is very different from the Neapolitan pizza. The Neapolitan pizza is topped with very few ingredients, most often just tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves. The Sicilian pizza, on the other hand, has a lot of different toppings, such as cured meats, vegetables, and even anchovies.

What is Neapolitan Pizza?

Neapolitan pizza is a round, thin and crisp pizza that comes from Naples, Italy. It’s traditionally topped with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves. The dough of a Neapolitan pizza is made with very simple ingredients, like flour, water, salt, and yeast. The Neapolitan pizza is baked at a very high temperature, which is why it takes just a few minutes to fully cook. The high temperature of the oven causes the dough to cook quickly and gives it a very light and crispy texture. The Neapolitan pizza can be eaten in two ways: folded or not folded. If you fold the pizza, you’ll be able to taste all of the ingredients. If you don’t fold the pizza, you’ll be able to taste only the crust.

What is Sicilian Pizza?

Sicilian pizza is a rectangular-shaped baked pizza with a thick and doughy base. It is typically topped with tomato sauce, various cured meats, and a generous amount of cheese. The dough of a Sicilian pizza is made with very simple ingredients, like flour, water, salt, and yeast. The Sicilian pizza is baked at a very high temperature, which is why it takes just a few minutes to fully cook. The high temperature of the oven causes the dough to cook quickly and gives it a very thick and doughy texture. Sicilian pizza can be eaten in two ways: folded or not folded. If you fold the pizza, you’ll be able to taste all of the ingredients. If you don’t fold the pizza, you’ll be able to taste only the crust.

Closing

The two pizza types may appear very similar, but the history behind each kind of pizza reveals why they could not be more different. The difference between Neapolitan and Sicilian pizza is the thickness and type of dough used, the amount of sauce and other toppings, and the amount of time each type of pizza takes to cook. If you’re craving a classic Neapolitan pizza or a thick, cheesy Sicilian pizza, make sure you know which one you’re ordering. When you’re eating either type of pizza, you’ll be able to taste the quality of the ingredients used, as well as the unique methods of baking used to make each one. No matter what type of pizza you are in the mood for, head over to Palermo’s Pizza to see which one of our choices is best for you!