The top 5 most popular pizzas are Margherita, pepperoni, BBQ chicken, veggie, and Hawaiian. Margherita is a classic Italian pizza, pepperoni is a famous American pizza, and Hawaiian is a controversial pizza with tomato sauce, cheese, ham, and pineapple.
Pizza is undoubtedly one of the most beloved and popular dishes worldwide, enjoyed by people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds. If you’re anything like me, you know there’s nothing like biting into a delicious, cheesy pizza slice.
With so many types of pizzas, choosing which one to indulge in can take time. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! I will share the top 5 most popular pizzas that people can’t seem to get enough of.
So, let’s dive into the beautiful world of pizza and find out which pies reign supreme.
The Top 5 Most Popular Pizzas
From classic Margherita pizza to hearty Hawaiian, there is a pizza for every taste and preference. Whether you prefer simple toppings or a loaded pizza, there is no denying that pizza is a universally beloved food that brings people together.
Here are the top 5 most popular pizzas:
1. Margherita Pizza
Famous for its simplicity and origins in Naples, Italy, the Margherita pizza is said to have been created to honour Queen Margherita of Savoy in 1889. Its colours represent the Italian flag, with red tomatoes, white mozzarella cheese, and green basil leaves.
The crust is usually thin and chewy, with a slightly crispy exterior. Its uniqueness lies in its simplicity and adherence to traditional Neapolitan pizza-making techniques, emphasizing fresh, high-quality ingredients.
2. Pepperoni Pizza
Pepperoni pizza is a classic American favourite, and it is famous for its generous and flavorful topping of pepperoni slices. Depending on personal preference, the crust can vary from thin and crispy to thick and doughy.
This pizza’s uniqueness comes from the spicy, smoky flavour of the pepperoni, which perfectly complements the savoury tomato sauce and gooey mozzarella cheese. The straightforward combination of flavours makes it an easy crowd-pleaser.
3. BBQ Chicken Pizza
The BBQ chicken pizza gained popularity in California and quickly spread across the United States. It is famous for its unique combination of tangy BBQ sauce, seasoned chicken, red onions, and a blend of cheeses, such as mozzarella and gouda.
The crust is often hand-tossed and medium-thick, providing a sturdy base for the toppings. The uniqueness of this pizza lies in its deviation from the traditional tomato sauce base, opting for BBQ sauce instead, and its fusion of classic American BBQ flavours with traditional pizza elements.
4. Veggie Pizza
Veggie pizzas are popular among vegetarians and those who prefer a lighter, healthier pizza option. They are famous for their colourful array of vegetables and creative combinations of flavours.
The crust can range from thin and crispy to thick and doughy, depending on the style of the pizza. Toppings often include a mix of vegetables like bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, olives, tomatoes, and spinach. It also has a base of tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.
The uniqueness of veggie pizzas comes from the endless variety of vegetable combinations, allowing for a customizable and nutritious pizza experience.
5. Meat Lovers Pizza
Meat lovers’ pizzas are famous for their hearty, protein-packed toppings, appealing to those who crave a carnivorous feast. The crust is often thicker and more robust to support the substantial toppings. But it also has a thinner version.
This pizza is unique because it blends various types of meat, such as pepperoni, sausage, ham, bacon, and ground beef, all piled atop a tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese base. The combination of flavours and textures in meat lovers of pizza creates a satisfying and indulgent experience for meat enthusiasts.
The Most Popular Regional Pizza Varieties
There are many fantastic regional pizza varieties, each with a unique charm. Let’s explore some of the most popular regional pizzas and why they’re so famous:
New York-Style Pizza
I can only talk about regional pizzas if I mention the iconic New York-style pizza. It’s famous for its large, foldable slices, thin and crispy crust, and delicious balance of flavours.
The crust is hand-tossed and often has a light layer of cornmeal for extra crispiness. You’ll typically find a rich, slightly sweet tomato sauce and generous mozzarella cheese on top. This pizza’s simplicity and on-the-go nature make it a true New York City staple.
Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza
Chicago-style deep-dish pizza is an entirely different experience! It’s famous for its thick, buttery crust that is more like a pie than a traditional pizza.
The crust is often baked in a deep-dish pan, which gives it its signature shape. The toppings are in reverse, with cheese on the bottom, meats, veggies, and a chunky tomato sauce on top. The deep-dish pizza is a hearty, filling, and deliciously indulgent treat you can’t miss when visiting Chicago.
Neapolitan Pizza
Now, let’s go back to where it all began: Naples, Italy. Neapolitan pizza is famous for its thin, soft, and chewy crust with a slightly charred and bubbly exterior.
This pizza is all about simplicity and high-quality ingredients. It usually has a minimalistic topping of San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil leaves.
The pizza is cooked quickly in a wood-fired oven at very high temperatures, which gives it that fantastic texture and flavour. When you try Neapolitan pizza, you can taste the history and tradition behind it.
Sicilian Pizza
Sicilian pizza is another Italian regional favourite. It’s famous for its thick, spongy, and airy crust, which is quite different from the thin crusts of Neapolitan pizza.
Toppings typically include tomato sauce, onions, anchovies, and a sprinkling of breadcrumbs, with an optional layer of cheese. The unique crust and rustic toppings make Sicilian pizza a delightful departure from traditional pizza varieties.
Detroit-Style Pizza
Detroit-style pizza is a lesser-known but equally delicious regional variety. It’s famous for its rectangular shape, thick and crispy crust, and caramelized cheese edges.
The crust is often described as a cross between Chicago deep dish and Sicilian pizza. Toppings are layered similarly to Chicago-style pizza, with cheese directly on the crust, meats, veggies, and tomato sauce on top.
The blend of textures and flavours in Detroit-style pizza has made it a local favourite, and it’s also gaining popularity in other parts of the United States.
Top 5 Most Popular Pizza Chains Worldwide
There are so many popular pizza chains worldwide, but let’s dive into the top 5 and see what makes them so famous:
Domino’s Pizza
You’ve probably heard of Domino’s. It’s one of the largest pizza chains globally, with thousands of locations. They’re famous for their consistently tasty pizzas, variety of toppings, and innovative ordering methods, like online and through their app.
Domino’s also offers fast delivery and a 30-minute guarantee in many locations, which makes it a go-to choice for those looking for a quick and satisfying pizza fix.
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut is another huge pizza chain known for its iconic red roof and delicious pan pizzas. They’re famous for their thick, doughy crust, crispy exterior, and soft interior.
Pizza Hut offers a wide range of toppings and unique pizza creations, like their Stuffed Crust Pizza, which has cheese baked right into the crust. They also serve sides like wings and pasta, making it a popular choice for a complete meal experience.
Papa John’s
Papa John’s has gained popularity with its motto “Better Ingredients. Better Pizza.” They’re famous for using high-quality ingredients, like fresh, never-frozen dough and hand-sliced veggies.
Their pizzas have a nice balance of flavours, and they offer a variety of crusts, like original, thin, and gluten-free. Plus, who can resist the garlic dipping sauce with every pizza? It’s no wonder people keep coming back for more.
Little Caesars
Little Caesars is known for its affordability and speedy service. They’re famous for their “Hot-N-Ready” pizzas, which are premade and waiting for customers to pick up without waiting or pre-ordering.
Their classic pepperoni pizza is a crowd favourite, but they offer other popular options like the deep-dish Detroit-style pizza. The combination of convenience, low prices, and tasty pizza makes Little Caesars a popular choice, especially for those on a budget.
Telepizza
Telepizza may be less well-known in the United States, but it’s a leading pizza chain in Europe and other parts of the world. They’re famous for their high-quality ingredients and diverse menu, including traditional pizza options and unique creations that cater to local tastes.
Telepizza also offers an impressive selection of sides, desserts, and pasta dishes. Their commitment to innovation and adaptation to different markets has helped them become a favourite pizza chain worldwide.
The Top 5 Most Popular Homemade Pizza Recipes Worldwide
I’m excited to share the top 5 most popular homemade pizza recipes worldwide! There’s nothing quite like making pizza from scratch and enjoying the fruits of your labour.
So, let’s explore these delicious recipes and see if you find a new favourite to try at home:
Margherita Pizza
This classic pizza recipe is about simplicity and high-quality ingredients. Start with homemade pizza dough, topped with a thin layer of tomato sauce made from San Marzano tomatoes.
Then, add fresh mozzarella cheese and a few basil leaves. Bake your pizza in a hot oven or a stone to get that perfect, slightly charred crust. You’ll be amazed at the incredible flavours you can achieve with simple ingredients!
BBQ Chicken Pizza
Try this popular BBQ chicken recipe for a unique twist on pizza. Use your favourite BBQ sauce as a base, then top with cooked, seasoned chicken, thinly sliced red onions, and a blend of mozzarella and smoked gouda cheese.
Once baked, you can even drizzle more BBQ sauce for extra tanginess. This pizza is a fantastic way to combine the flavours of classic American BBQ with traditional pizza.
Veggie Pizza
Who says pizza can’t be healthy? This veggie-packed pizza recipe is both delicious and nutritious. Start with a tomato sauce base and a generous layer of mozzarella cheese. Then, go wild with your favourite veggies!
Bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, olives, spinach, and even artichoke hearts make great toppings. The more colourful your pizza, the better! You can even opt for a whole wheat crust for added nutrition.
Meat Lovers Pizza
For the carnivores out there, this meat lover’s pizza recipe is sure to satisfy. Begin with a tomato sauce base and a layer of mozzarella cheese. Next, pile on various types of meat, like pepperoni, sausage, ham, bacon, and ground beef.
The combination of flavours and textures will create a hearty, indulgent pizza perfect for a cosy night or game-day celebration.
Four Cheese Pizza
If you’re a cheese fanatic, this four-cheese pizza recipe is a dream come true. Start with a tomato sauce base, then add a blend of mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan, and gorgonzola or blue cheese.
The creamy, tangy, and sharp flavours create a rich, decadent pizza experience that’s hard to resist. For extra flavour, you can even sprinkle on some fresh herbs, like basil or oregano, before baking.
FAQ
What is the difference between a Margherita pizza and a Neapolitan pizza?
Margherita pizza and Neapolitan pizza are both classic Italian pizzas. Margherita pizza features a thin crust, tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, and basil.
Neapolitan pizza is thicker and fluffier, with a slightly charred crust. It features tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil. While both pizzas are delicious, the main difference is the thickness of the crust and the cooking method.
What is the origin of Hawaiian pizza?
Hawaiian pizza was invented in Canada in 1962 by a Greek immigrant named Sam Panopoulos. It features a tomato sauce base, cheese, ham, and pineapple. While it is a controversial pizza topping, it remains popular in many parts of the world.
Is pizza healthy?
Pizza can be a healthy option if made with fresh and nutritious ingredients. Opting for a thin crust and a range of vegetables as toppings can make a pizza a more nutritional meal choice.
However, pizza can also be high in calories, saturated fat, and sodium if made with processed meats and excessive cheese. As with any food, moderation is essential when it comes to pizza.
What is the origin of pepperoni pizza?
Pepperoni pizza is an American pizza that originated in the early 20th century. It was first introduced in New York City, quickly becoming a popular pizza topping.
Pepperoni is a salami from cured pork and beef seasoned with paprika and chilli pepper. Today, pepperoni pizza is one of the most commonly ordered pizzas in the United States.
Can pizza be frozen?
Yes, you can fridge pizza for later consumption. It is best to freeze a pizza before baking it, as the toppings and crust can become soggy if frozen after baking.
To freeze a pizza, wrap it tightly in plastic and aluminium foil. Label the pizza with the date and store it in the freezer for up to three months. When ready to eat, let the pizza thaw in the refrigerator overnight before baking it in the oven.
Conclusion
Pizza is a versatile dish that you can customize to suit individual preferences. Whether you prefer a classic Margherita pizza or a controversial Hawaiian pizza, there is a pizza recipe out there that will satisfy your taste buds.
Jesmin Bithi, the co-founder of FoodBears.com, is a culinary maestro who brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the platform. Jesmin’s journey in the food world started in her home kitchen, experimenting with different recipes and flavors. Her passion for cooking soon transcended the boundaries of her kitchen, leading her to become a professional chef.