Grandma Pie Pizza

The ever-so-simple Grandma Pie Pizza is perfection with it’s thin crispy crust, mozzarella cheese, and drizzle of tangy tomato sauce.

Better than Margherita pizza. Not sorry.

Where has this glorious pie been all my life? I only heard of grandma pie pizza this year. (One of the few positives that have come out of 2020.) Though it’s completely new to me, I’m just going to go ahead and say it: I’M OBSESSED. It looks like a Margherita pizza and it involves a lot of the same elements as a Margherita pizza. But believe me when I say it exceeds the Margherita pizza.

What is Grandma Pie Pizza?

A proper grandma pie is made in a square pan with a thin crust. It’s then topped with cheese first, followed by a drizzle of tomato sauce. I like to top it with some chopped fresh oregano before putting it in the oven. People often compare this pie to Sicilian pizza, but there are some notable differences.

Craving the comfort of home.

This recipe is native to Long Island, NY. But let’s not knock off any authenticity points. In the early 20th century, almost two million Italians emigrated to America with most of them landing in New York. In an effort to find comfort in familiar flavors, Italian immigrants from Southern Italy would try to recreate recipes from back home with what few ingredients they had available. That’s how this unfussy yet appetizing pizza came about. Made up of simple ingredients from humble beginnings, it’s been dubbed as “grandma pizza”. This style of pie wasn’t something you’d find in a restaurant. It was mostly made by first-generation immigrants in their very own kitchens, which makes it a rather special kind of pizza for anyone who grew up on it.

Today, however, it turns up on menus quite a bit. (Good news for us all!) Italians who grew up enjoying grandma pie eventually opened up their own pizzerias and offer it as a nod to their families. Even better news: it’s incredibly easy to make at home. Easy as pie.

How to make Grandma Pie Pizza.

Most pizzas are easy to make at home, but this one is so quick and I’m to the point where I can practically make it without focusing. Which is great for anyone who a) has kids running around, b) has a short attention span, or c) both of those things, like me :)

Here’s what you’ll need:

• A dark square or rectangular pizza pan (a darker pan will create a better golden crisp than a light pan).
• Homemade pizza dough
• Olive oil
• Mozzarella cheese
• Basic tomato sauce
• Fresh oregano

That’s literally it. And despite how simple it is, it’s probably the tastiest pizza I’ve ever had.

Here’s what you’ll do:

1. Preheat the oven to 450º F.
2. Lightly oil the pizza pan and work your dough into it to form your base and crust.
3. Sprinkle the cheese over the center of the dough, leaving room for the crust.
4. With a ladle, drizzle the tomato sauce over the cheese in streaks or zig zags; don’t cover the entire pizza.
5. Evenly sprinkle chopped fresh oregano over the top.
6. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the crust is golden and crisp, and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Let the pizza sit for about five minutes before cutting into it. When ready, cut into square pieces and serve. For a kick, sprinkle some chili flakes on top.

Here are a few more ideas for your pizza nights:

• Sausage and Roasted Red Pepper Pizza
• Veggie Deluxe Pizza
• Hawaiian Pizza with Crispy Prosciutto
• Easy Bruschetta Pizza

Hope you enjoy!

If you plan on making this recipe, be sure to snap a pic and tag us on Insta! @killing__thyme.