Grandma Pizza Recipe: How to Make Grandma Pizza
Written by MasterClass
Last updated: Jul 22, 2024 • 3 min read
This classic, thin crust pizza tops a crispy, golden-brown crust with mozzarella and tomato sauce for a simple square slice any Italian-American nonna would love.
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What Is Grandma Pizza?
Grandma pizza is baked on a rimmed baking sheet coated in olive oil to create crispy-bottomed square slices of pizza. Created in Long Island, New York, in the early twentieth century, grandma-style pizza is traditionally topped with a layer of fresh mozzarella cheese and dollops of tomato sauce or sliced tomatoes. This American spin on an Italian classic is a great way to make crunchy, melty homemade pies without a pizza oven.
Grandma Pizza vs. Sicilian Pizza: How Do They Compare?
Grandma pizza and Sicilian pizza both make use of an oil-coated sheet pan to create square-shaped slices. However, Sicilian pizza consists of a thicker, fluffier Focaccia-like pizza dough, which takes additional time to rise after being rolled out and stretched into the pan. Grandma pizza has a thinner, crispier crust that bakes shortly after being molded to the pan, with no additional proofing time.
3 Tips on Grandma Pizza
Home cooks of all levels—from Italian grandmothers to amateur chefs—will have no problem crafting this simple pie. Use these easy-to-follow tips to make the most of this satisfying New York pizza.
- 1. Always coat the pan with olive oil. Coating your pan in a generous portion of olive oil is the secret to making the crunchy crust of a classic grandma pie. Avoid using nonstick cooking spray, which may not provide a thorough enough coating.
- 2. Make the dough ahead of time. If you want to make your dough ahead of time, it will keep covered in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for three weeks. Thaw the dough overnight in the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature before using.
- 3. Play around with toppings. While traditional grandma-style pies feature simple toppings of cheese and sauce or tomatoes, feel free to play around with additions. Add meats like sliced pepperoni and Italian sausage, or complimentary vegetables, like olives, peppers, mushrooms, and caramelized onions. Garnish the pizza with grated Parmesan cheese, fresh basil, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes.
Grandma Pizza Recipe
makes
1 large pizzaprep time
4 hr 25 mintotal time
4 hr 40 mincook time
15 minIngredients
For the dough:
For the toppings:
- 1
Combine the flours and salt in a large bowl.
- 2
In a small bowl, stir together the warm water, yeast, and olive oil.
- 3
Pour the yeast mixture into the flour and knead together with your hands until dough forms. Alternatively, combine ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment and mix on low speed to make the dough. Set the dough aside to rest for 15 minutes.
- 4
Knead the rested dough for 2 minutes. Place the dough on a floured surface, cover with a damp kitchen towel, and let it rise for 3–4 hours at room temperature.
- 5
When the dough is almost done rising, preheat the oven to 500 degrees Fahrenheit and brush a large, rimmed baking sheet with a few tablespoons of olive oil.
- 6
Using a floured rolling pin, roll the dough out into an ovular shape, about 1/8-inch thick.
- 7
Transfer the dough to the baking sheet and use your hands to stretch the crust out to the edges of the pan.
- 8
Brush the pizza crust with a thin layer of olive oil.
- 9
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the entirety of the crust, and then drop dollops of the marinara sauce over the top of the cheese.
- 10
Transfer the sheet pan to the oven, and bake the pizza until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling, about 12–15 minutes.
- 11
Remove the pizza from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 minutes before serving hot.
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