What is Roman White Pizza? (2023)

If you have visited any of Rome’s bakeries or pizza slice shops, you have probably seen Roman white pizza, locally called pizza bianca. These large slabs of golden flatbread drizzled with olive oil are a Roman staple which is consumed throughout the day, from morning to night. But what exactly is pizza bianca? And, more importantly, how should you eat it like a Roman?

Watch Foodie Sisters, Benedetta and Valeria, tell you all about Roman pizza bianca.

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What is Roman White Pizza?

Pizza bianca literally translates as ‘white pizza’ but in actual fact, it is closer to a bread product than what many people consider to be pizza. A simple dough made of flour, yeast, salt, water, and olive oil, it is left to rise for many hours or days to encourage a light airiness. Once proved, the dough is stretched and fingertips are used to create an undulating surface to catch the olive oil that is brushed on top before baking. As soon as it comes out of the oven it is brushed with a new coat of oil and topped with a light sprinkle of salt and maybe a little rosemary. It is simple, comforting and delicious, especially when consumed freshly baked and warm from the oven.

(Video) What is Roman White Pizza? | Local Aromas

It is said that the origin of pizza bianca comes from Rome’s bakers who, before baking their loaves of bread, would place a small piece of dough into the oven to test the temperature. Nowadays it is a truly Roman recipe, not to be confused with focaccia which is usually found in the north of Italy and generally has a spongier, breadier texture.

How should you eat it?

In Rome, we eat pizza bianca whenever and wherever. By itself, it makes a cheap, satisfying snack and will often be given to young children mid-morning or after-school as a treat. It can also be served like regular bread and eaten along withantipastior cured meats and cheeses or brought as an aperitivo snack along with your pre-dinner glass of wine.

Often you will find pizza bianca split horizontally and filled with delicious ingredients to form a type of sandwich. Apanino of warm pizza bianca stuffed with melting mortadella (a baked pork salami with pistachios from Bologna) is a Roman institution known in local dialect as ‘pizza e mortazza’or alternatively why not try it with localporchetta for a savoury match made in heaven.

Fresh seasonal ingredients will also be used to fill pizza bianca. In winter, greens such as chard, chicory or broccoli rabe will be added with slice of milky mozzarella, while in summer don’t pass up on the choice to try pizza bianca stuffed with salty prosciutto and sweet, juicy, figs.

If you still cannot get enough of this amazingly versatile bread, don’t worry you can have it for dessert too. Many of Rome’s pizza-by-the-slice joints will fill their sheets of pizza bianca with Nutella for a sweet, chocolate version with a hint of saltines.

Try our favorite pizza bianca on our Pizza and Gelato Tasting Tour and on our Roman Street Food Tour in Rome. If you want to make your very own homemade pizza, join our rooftop pizza-making class in Rome.

(Video) Roman-style Pizza Bianca | Making Pizza At Home

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What is Roman White Pizza? (1)

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What is Roman White Pizza?

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Learn all about typical Roman pizza bianca. Discover what it is, where to buy it and how to eat it like a Roman with our guide to this traditional Italian bread.

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Local Aromas

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What is Roman White Pizza? (2)

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FAQs

What is a white pizza made of? ›

White pizza, pizza bianca or a white pie is a style of pizza that does not use tomato sauce. The pizza generally consists of pizza dough, olive oil, garlic, cheese, salt and sometimes toppings including vegetables such as spinach, tomato, and herbs.

What makes Roman pizza different? ›

What makes this Roman-style pizza unique is its low hydration dough which contains olive oil and is rolled out very thin. This gives the dough a crispy cracker-like texture. Unlike most pizzas, the sauce and the toppings go nearly right up to their edge.

What is the difference Neapolitan and Roman pizza? ›

The main difference between the pizza of Rome and Naples comes from the dough. In Naples it's made with flour, yeast, water and salt; in Rome they add olive oil which means they can stretch the dough to be thinner.

What is Roman vs Sicilian pizza? ›

It's the original Roman street food and is an institution of the city that can be found all over Italy. The dough is crispy and sturdy so it can hold a ton of toppings, but is light and airy enough to eat an extra slice. On the other hand, Sicilian pizza has a thick, spongy, and fluffy dough.

What flavors are Roman style pizza? ›

Classic Roman pizza features a thin crust, with a dough that's almost like a flat focaccia. It's sold by the slice in bakeries across the city as pizza bianca (white pizza) and pizza rossa (red pizza), topped with either olive oil and salt or a simple tomato sauce. This recipe is for a classic pizza bianca.

Is white pizza just pizza without sauce? ›

If you're not familiar with White pizza, it's a pizza made without tomato or marinara sauce, and topped with white cheeses. It's also called Pizza Bianca. There's a sophisticated, classy feel to it but it's every bit as easy as traditional pizza, and it's completely customizable!

Why is white pizza so good? ›

Delicious White Pizza

You'll find there is a wider range of toppings associated with white pizza—the ingredients really get a chance to shine when they're not in competition with the tomato sauce—and the flavors can be more delicate and more distinct.

Is white sauce pizza healthier? ›

White sauce vs red sauce: Which is healthier? A cup of white sauce has 262 calories and 17 grams of total fat, while a cup of red sauce has only the small amount of 160 calories and 4 grams of total fat. Needless to state, if you are looking for a healthy and lighter sauce, red is your best option.

Is Roman pizza thin crust? ›

Rolling out homemade pizza dough removes larger air pockets than if you stretch by hand; it ensures an evenly thin, crisp, almost cracker-like crust and makes an excellent white pizza.

What is traditional Roman pizza? ›

Roman-style pizza is round and flat base, with a thin, crispy and crunchy crust, whereas the thick crust Neapolitan version is bubbly and soft with a slightly chewy dough.

Why don't they slice pizza in Italy? ›

Pizza at the restaurant in Italy is served unsliced in the great majority of cases, because this helps its presentation and flavour, preventing the runny pizza topping from leaking off the pizza base and wetting the edges. Not slicing the pizza for customers also minimizes the risk of it cooling down.

What are the two types of pizza in Italy? ›

In the most traditional pizzerias they only make two types of pizza: Marinara (tomatoes, garlic, oregano and olive oil) or Margherita (tomato, mozzarella, basil and olive oil). → Perfect the art of pizza-making in our pizza masterclass.

How big is a Roman pizza? ›

Roman pizza comes by many names, but you'll most often see it called pizza al metro (pizza by the meter) and pizza al taglio (pizza by the cut). But both names indicate a long, rectangular pizza with a length of about 1 meter (3 feet).

What is the best pizza according to Italians? ›

Whether in its simple version with mozzarella fiordilatte or mozzarella de bufala (in which case it would technically be called a Bufalina pizza), the Margherita pizza is undoubtedly the favourite pizza of Italian people.

Which pizza is the best in Italy? ›

In all of Italy and in most of the world, margherita pizza is number one. The original pizza was first made in Naples and then shared throughout the major cities of Italy. Eventually, it became the basis of pizza everywhere.

What is the most famous type of pizza in Italy? ›

1. Pizza Napoletana. Born in Napoli, la pizza Napoletana is one of the most famous types of Italian pizza.

How do you eat Roman style pizza? ›

Pizza Tonda. The other major style of pizza in Rome is tonda, or “round.” This refers to whole pies, meant to be eaten fork-and-knife by one person as a meal.

How do you eat a Roman pizza? ›

In Italy, unless sold on the street or “al taglio” (sold in rectangular or square slices by weight), it's always round and served on a plate. 2. 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.

Is white pizza sauce the same as Alfredo? ›

While both have many of the same ingredients, they are actually different. Alfredo sauce is made with butter, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese. Since it's typically paired with pasta, it's a thinner sauce. A classic white pizza sauce is usually just flour, milk, butter, and sometimes a bit of cream cheese.

Is Margherita pizza the same as white pizza? ›

Margherita Pizza ( White Pizza ) "Tomato, basil, garlic, olive oil, Mozzarella and ricotta cheese."

Is white pizza better than regular pizza? ›

Packed with flavor and a bit more calories, white pizza is ideal for those who are looking to splurge a bit. White-all cheese pizzas lack tomato sauce which means you aren't getting antioxidants. However, if you're focused on taste, white pizza is for you.

Why do they put the white plastic in the pizza? ›

Well Carmela Vitale invented a simple, but essential tool for pizza lovers, the plastic piece in the middle of the pizza box that keeps the cheese from sticking to the top. According to Gizmodo.com, that circular plastic thing is called a pizza saver.

Is white pizza a thing in Italy? ›

If you have visited any of Rome's bakeries or pizza slice shops, you have probably seen Roman white pizza, locally called pizza bianca. These large slabs of golden flatbread drizzled with olive oil are a Roman staple which is consumed throughout the day, from morning to night.

What toppings are good on white pizza? ›

Best White Pizza Toppings
  • Chicken. Chicken and cheese. ...
  • Bacon. This fan-favorite topping adds saltiness that can cut through the heavy white sauce. ...
  • Mushroom. This topping brings a subtle meatiness but without the meat, so vegetarian lovers rejoice! ...
  • Spinach. ...
  • Potato.
Aug 23, 2019

Is white pizza good for diabetics? ›

Other tips for choosing a diabetes-friendly pizza

Opt for a cheese-free pizza with extra tomato sauce to increase vitamins and decrease both saturated fat and sodium. Avoid white pizzas and creamy sauces to decrease the amount of sodium and saturated fat in your slice!

What is the healthiest pizza to order out? ›

The 15 Healthiest Frozen Pizzas
  1. American Flatbread Revolution. (Image: Facebook/American Flatbread) ...
  2. Sweet Earth Veggie Lover's Pizza. ...
  3. Amy's Pesto Pizza. ...
  4. Capello's Cheese Pizza. ...
  5. Caulipower Three Cheese Pizza. ...
  6. Urban Farmer Chicken Sausage. ...
  7. Newman's Own Harvest Veggie Thin + Crispy. ...
  8. 8. California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Recipe Chicken.

Is white sauce pasta junk food? ›

Pasta is high in carbs, which can be bad for you when consumed in large amounts. It also contains gluten, a type of protein that causes issues for those who are gluten-sensitive. On the other hand, pasta can provide some nutrients that are important to health.

What is the thinnest type of pizza? ›

Neapolitan Pizza Traditional Toppings:

Since Neapolitan pizza is thin, it isn't designed to handle the weight of too many toppings. In fact, Neapolitan pizza is so thin that it's typically eaten with a fork and knife.

What is the thin Italian pizza called? ›

Neapolitan Pizza

The pizza Napoletana is known for its thin base, and the San Marzano or Pomodorino del Piennolo del Vesuvio tomatoes used in the marinara sauce. These tomatoes grow in the Naples region and are essential to a marinara sauce that gets everyone doing the 'chef's kiss'.

Which is the thinnest crust in Dominos? ›

Domino's Crunchy Thin is the thinnest of our pizza crusts, but it's still sturdy enough to hold all of your favorite toppings. Domino's has been serving thin crust pizza since 1993. So when you want thin crust pizza, you want Domino's.

What does Roman style mean food? ›

Roman cuisine comes from the Italian city of Rome. It features fresh, seasonal and simply-prepared ingredients from the Roman Campagna. These include peas, globe artichokes and fava beans, shellfish, milk-fed lamb and goat, and cheeses such as Pecorino Romano and ricotta.

Is there Romans pizza in America? ›

Neapolitan-style has long been a pizza staple in the United States, but pizza al taglio – otherwise known as Roman pizza by the slice – only recently entered the American public consciousness.

Why is there no pineapple on pizza in Italy? ›

It is considered a barbaric practice that violates the very essence of morality, humanity, culinary dignity of all Peoples and good taste. The State of Italy has also unilaterally announced that putting pineapple on pizza under any circumstances is tantamount to an Act of War under International Law.

What is pizza without cheese called in Italy? ›

A pizza without cheese is today recognized as one of the three official authentic Neapolitan pizzas and is called pizza marinara.”

What is normal dinner time in Italy? ›

Italian dinner or la cena, usually from 8:00 to 10:00pm, is another time that Italians enjoy sitting down together and socializing. Dinner can be much later than 10:00pm, especially if eating out or dining at a friend's house.

What does roman style mean? ›

“Roman style” means regular (not italic) type. It can be in any typeface... (or “font”). Times New Roman is the name of a typeface, which can appear in roman, italic, bold, and... FAQ Item.

What is Roman style pizza called? ›

Roman-style pizza is a rectangular style of pizza commonly found on the streets of Rome, but it's easy to recreate at home. Known as pizza al taglio (“pizza by the cut”) or pizza romana in Italy, this pizza is often cut with scissors and sold by weight in bakeries and street food carts.

What is the roman style? ›

The normal typography style in which the vertical lines of the characters are straight up and not on an angle. It is the opposite of italic, which uses slanted lines.

What is Sicilian pizza called? ›

Sicilian pizza, also known as sfincione (“thick sponge” in Italian), is a thick-crust, rectangular pizza that is similar to focaccia bread. The thick, spongy crust distinguishes the pizza from thin-crust Neapolitan pizza, Roman pizza, and New York–style pizza.

What is pizza called in Naples Italy? ›

The Neapolitan pizza (pizza Napoletana) as we know it—mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil on yeasted flatbread—was invented in the late 19th century, 1889 to be exact. The traditional preparation and product crafted by pizzaioli (regional pizza makers) is recognized as a UNESCO Cultural Heritage food.

What do Italians call pizza? ›

The Italians use a variety of terms to describe their pizza. Crostata and torta are both used to describe savory and sweet pies, and pizza is a singular word that represents only one dish. There are other names for pizza, but these are the most common. There's nothing wrong with being confused.

How many slices are in a Romans pizza? ›

Thanks. Hi Pauline Mc Manus Perlstein There are 8 slices per Large pizza.

Why is Neapolitan pizza different? ›

Authentic Neapolitan Pizza, or Pizza Napoletana, is known for being very tender, light, and moist at the same time. It cooks in a wood-burning oven at 800F degrees oven for only 90 seconds and needs 58-65% hydration. Its' ingredients must be Italian and coming from a specific area such as San Marzano tomatoes.

What is the history of Roman pizza? ›

In Rome, pizza developed as something baked in commercial bread ovens after the daily bread was finished, just in time to be served for lunch. Originally it was topped with olive oil, or cheese and vegetables, and then from the 18th century onwards with fresh tomatoes or passata (tomato puree).

What is the Roman version of pizza? ›

Known as pizza al taglio (“pizza by the cut”) or pizza romana in Italy, this pizza is often cut with scissors and sold by weight in bakeries and street food carts. Like focaccia, pizza al taglio is rectangular and works with a wide variety of toppings.

What are the two types of pizza? ›

Italian pizza types. There are several typical Italian pizza varieties that have emerged over time. Among them there are also the two official variants “Marinara” and “Margherita” of Neapolitan pizza. Here you can find the full list of all Italian kinds of pizza.

What are typical Roman pizzas? ›

Roman pizza is practically the opposite to Neapolitan pizza: it is crispy and they are not afraid of toppings. A classic on all menus in Rome is the Capricciosa: topped with ham, mushrooms, olives, artichoke, an egg and tomato. Oil is added to the dough and there is much less water than the Naples version.

What is classic vs Romana pizza? ›

As explained by Pizza Express “the differences between a Romana and a Classic are size, thickness and taste. The Romana and Classic pizza are made from the same dough but the Romana is stretched further, to 14 inches and cooked on a wire mesh.

What is the number one pizza in America? ›

Una Pizza Napoletana by Anthony Mangieri in New York has been named the Best Pizzeria in the USA for 2022 by 50 Top Pizza. Tony's Pizza Napoletana by Tony Gemignani in San Francisco takes second place.

What is the most popular pizza in USA? ›

The combination of melted cheese with garlic and Italian-style herbs baked on a crispy crust seems to hit all of the flavor and texture checkpoints on any pizza lover's checklist. However, according to a survey by YouGov America, pepperoni pizza is by far the most ordered pizza in the United States.

What is the most sold pizza in the world? ›

1. Neapolitan Pizza. Neapolitan pizza, also known as Naples-style pizza, is a traditional type of pizza that originated in Naples, Italy. This type of pizza is prepared with simple and fresh ingredients such as raw tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh basil leaves and olive oil.

What toppings go on a Roman pizza? ›

A classic pizza in Rome is the Capricciosa: topped with ham, mushrooms, olives, artichoke, an egg and tomato. The precise amounts of ingredients for the dough actually varies depending on room temperature and humidity and so forth.

What is Roman style Italian food? ›

Roman cuisine comes from the Italian city of Rome. It features fresh, seasonal and simply-prepared ingredients from the Roman Campagna. These include peas, globe artichokes and fava beans, shellfish, milk-fed lamb and goat, and cheeses such as Pecorino Romano and ricotta.

Does Roman pizza have cheese? ›

Roman pizza can be baked in the baking tray or on the oven shovel. You can put whatever you want on it, but the most famous ingredients are tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, anchovies, basil, pecorino cheese and pepper.

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4. Ancient Roman Cookery :White Pizza Artolagano
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6. Authentic High Hydration Roman Pizza
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