Italian Grandma Style Pizza Recipe

So trust me, I know how to make a Grandma Pizza. My favorite version has an irresistible combination of toppings like soppressata (fancy salami), thinly sliced fennel, lots of cheese and a few slices of hot pepper for heat.

The best part of a Grandma pizza? You don’t need even a pizza stone or pizza pan. You cake it on a regular old sheet pan. Low stress but high flavor!

What’s a Grandma Pizza?

Grandma Pizza is a unique style that comes from Long Island, New York. It’s known for its thin, crispy crust and rectangular shape. It’s a rustic, home-style pizza traditionally made by Italian-American grandmothers, hence then name.

Grandma Style Pizza Recipe Ingredients

• pizza dough – the foundation of the pizza. You can use our recipe for homemade pizza dough or use store-bought dough.
• mozzarella cheese – it’s a classic on pizzas for a reason!
• pizza sauce – I generally just use a jar of high-quality prepared pizza sauce, such as Rao’s or San Marzano brand.
• soppresata – this salami adds a spicy, robust flavor to the pizza.
• fennel – thinly slicing a fennel bulb and adding it to this pizza gives it a subtle anise flavor that pairs really well with the salami.
• red chiles – adds a spicy kick and burst of color.
• Pecorino Romano cheese – an umami-rich finishing touch.
• olive oil – helps the pizza crisp up and adds flavor.

How to Make Grandma Pizza

1. ASSEMBLE. Press the dough into a greased rimmed baking pan, then top it with mozzarella. Dollop it with pizza sauce, then layer on the soppressata, fennel, chiles and Pecorino Romano. Drizzle it with olive oil.
2. BAKE. Bake until the crust is completely cooked through and crisp around the edges.
3. FINISH. Cut the pizza and serve it garnished with fennel fronds, sea salt and red pepper flakes, if desired.

What Size Pan for Grandmas Pizza?

A traditional Grandma Pizza is typically baked on a rectangular rimmed baking sheet. A “half sheet pan,” which is 13 x 18-inches, is the most commonly used size. This allows the dough to spread out thinly and create the characteristic crispy crust.

What to serve with Grandma style Pizza

My favorite side dish for a grandma style pizza is a nice fresh salad, like mixed greens with Italian salad dressing, or a summer berry salad (hold the chicken).

The only other thing you need is a cocktail! I think that either a basil cocktail or a bourbon mule would be a perfect pairing.

Tips for Storing Grandmas Pizza

If you have leftovers, transfer them to a storage container and place them in the fridge uncovered for a few hours until they are fully chilled, then cover them with the lid and keep in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

How to Reheat Grandma Style Pizza

Grandma Pizza can be reheated in a 350 degree F oven until warmed through.