Exploring Regional Pizza Styles with Authentic Pizza Ovens: From Sicilian to Chicago Deep Dish

If you're a pizza enthusiast, you know that pizza is much more than just a dish—it's a journey through diverse and delicious regional styles. With the right tool at your disposal, like the wood-fired ovens from Authentic Pizza Ovens, you can embark on a culinary adventure, recreating iconic pizza styles right in the comfort of your own home. 

We'll take you on a delectable ride through some of the most renowned regional pizza styles, complete with recipes while highlighting the perfect companion for your pizza-making escapades—the Authentic Pizza Ovens wood-fired ovens!

Related: The Rise of Plant-Based Pizzas: Delicious Vegan Recipes to Try in Your Wood-Fired Authentic Pizza Oven

1. Neapolitan Pizza

Let's start our pizza journey with the classic Neapolitan style. Hailing from Naples, Italy, Neapolitan pizza is known for its thin crust, simple yet high-quality ingredients, and the use of San Marzano tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese. 

It's traditionally cooked in a wood-fired oven at extremely high temperatures, resulting in a beautifully blistered crust with a soft and chewy center.

Authentic Pizza Ovens Recommendation: 

The Authentic Pizza Ovens Pizzaioli Premium Pizza Oven is your ticket to creating authentic Neapolitan masterpieces. Its high-quality refractory materials and excellent heat retention capabilities will help you achieve the perfect balance of crispy and tender.

Neapolitan Pizza Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 500g pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• 250g San Marzano tomato sauce
• 250g fresh mozzarella, sliced
• Fresh basil leaves
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your Authentic Pizza Oven to around 800°F (427°C).
2. Stretch out the pizza dough into a 10-12 inch round on a lightly floured surface.
3. Place the stretched dough on a pizza peel and add the tomato sauce, spreading it evenly.
4. Add the fresh mozzarella slices on top of the sauce.
5. Carefully slide the pizza onto the preheated pizza stone in your wood-fired oven.
6. Cook for 60-90 seconds until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
7. Remove the pizza from the oven, top with fresh basil leaves, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
8. Slice and enjoy the taste of Naples!

Related: Budget-Friendly Pizza Recipes

2. Sicilian Pizza

Traveling south to the island of Sicily, we encounter the beloved Sicilian pizza. This square-shaped pizza is characterized by its thick, fluffy crust, generous toppings, and a unique sauce-to-cheese ratio. 

Sicilian pizza often features a rich tomato sauce, sliced mozzarella, and your choice of toppings, making it a delightfully customizable option.

Authentic Pizza Ovens Recommendation: 

For Sicilian pizza, the Authentic Pizza Ovens Pizzaioli Pizza Oven is an ideal choice. Its spacious cooking area can accommodate the larger size of Sicilian pies, and its high-quality materials ensure even cooking and perfect browning.

Sicilian Pizza Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 500g pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• 400g canned crushed tomatoes
• 300g mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 50g grated Parmesan cheese
• Your favorite toppings (pepperoni, olives, onions, etc.)
• Fresh basil leaves
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your Authentic Pizza Oven to around 600°F (315°C).
2. Press the pizza dough into a well-oiled square or rectangular pan, making sure it reaches the edges.
3. Spread the crushed tomatoes evenly over the dough, leaving a small border.
4. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan over the sauce.
5. Add your favorite toppings generously.
6. Drizzle olive oil over the toppings and season with salt and pepper.
7. Place the pan in your wood-fired oven and cook for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
8. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving. Slice and indulge in a slice of Sicilian heaven!

3. Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

Crossing the Atlantic to the United States, we find ourselves in the Windy City, where Chicago Deep Dish pizza reigns supreme. This thick and hearty pizza is characterized by its deep, buttery crust, layered with cheese, meat, and toppings, followed by a thick layer of tomato sauce on top. It's a pizza that's more like a delicious pie!

Authentic Pizza Ovens Recommendation: 

For Chicago Deep Dish pizza, the Authentic Pizza Ovens Forno Toscano Margherita Oven is an excellent choice. Its ample cooking space and exceptional heat distribution will ensure your deep-dish pizza cooks to perfection.

Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Recipe:

Ingredients:

For the crust:

• 500g pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• 1/4 cup cornmeal
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

For the filling:

• 300g mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 100g cooked Italian sausage or pepperoni slices
• Your favorite toppings (bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, etc.)

For the sauce:

• 800g canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the topping:

• Grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat your Authentic Pizza Oven to around 450°F (232°C).
2. Grease a deep-dish pizza pan with olive oil and sprinkle cornmeal on the bottom.
3. Press the pizza dough into the pan, ensuring it covers the bottom and sides evenly.
4. Brush the melted butter over the dough.
5. Layer half of the shredded mozzarella on the bottom of the crust.
6. Add the cooked Italian sausage or pepperoni slices on top of the cheese.
7. Add your favorite toppings generously.
8. In a separate bowl, mix the crushed tomatoes, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper to make the sauce. Spread the sauce evenly over the toppings.
9. Layer the remaining shredded mozzarella on top of the sauce.
10. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top layer of cheese.
11. Place the pan in your wood-fired oven and cook for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
12. Let the pizza cool slightly before slicing and savoring every deep-dish bite!

Our Final Advice:

With the exceptional wood-fired ovens from Authentic Pizza Ovens and a bit of culinary exploration, you can bring the flavors of different regional pizza styles straight to your kitchen. 

From the simplicity of Neapolitan pizza to the heartiness of Chicago Deep Dish, each style offers a unique experience that caters to various tastes and preferences. 

So, gather your ingredients, fire up your Authentic Pizza Oven, and let your taste buds embark on a delectable journey through the world of pizza! Happy pizza-making!

Related:

• Portable Pizza Ovens for Outdoors
• 6 Unique and Delicious Pizza Oven Toppings: Recipes for Your Authentic Wood-Fired Pizza Oven
• Cooking Pizza in A Wood Fire Pizza Oven

Written by: Penny Warring

Authentic Pizza Ovens is a leading maker of handmade wood-fired ovens, crafting some of the finest in the world for decades.

Our ovens bring family and friends together, creating lasting memories across the U.S., Australia, and Canada.

Learn more at authenticpizzaovens.com.

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