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

Grandma pie in pan with pinch bowl of chili flakes.

It’s Even 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?

A proper grandma pie is made in a square pan with a thin and crispy crust. It’s then topped with cheese first (yes, you read that right), 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 Grandma Pie to Sicilian pizza, but there are some notable differences, like the crust. This style of pizza has been turning up on menus quite a bit over the last few years, so keep an eye out for it! But what’s even better: it’s incredibly easy to make at home. Easy as pie.

Side shot up close of grandma pie in pan.

You Don’t Need Many Ingredients for This One.

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 even paying attention. Which is great for anyone who a) has kids running around, b) has a short attention span, or c) both of those things, like yours truly. Here’s what you’ll need:

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

Here’s How to Make Grandma Pie Pizza.

  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.

Left: pan getting a drizzle of olive oil; right: pizza in pan getting a drizzle of sauce.

Uncooked grandma pie in pan with hand sprinkling chopped oregano over it.

Cooked pan of grandma pie.

Useful Tools for This Recipe:

Recipe Tips + Tricks.

  1. To flavor your crust, brush a bit of olive oil over the edges of your dough and season with a bit of garlic salt and Italian herbs before putting it into the oven.
  2. A dark pan works best because it creates a nicer golden crisp on your crust which is exactly what you’re looking for when it comes to thin crust pizzas. If you don’t have a dark pan, you can snag one here or use a lighter pan, but you may end up with different results.
  3. When you drizzle the sauce over the pizza, don’t worry about it looking sloppy and uneven. It may feel strange at first because a typical pizza calls for even sauce coverage, but an uneven drizzle on this style of pizza is what you want.

Have You Made This Recipe?

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Here Are a Few More Ideas for Your Pizza Nights:

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.
5 from 12 votes
Print Rate
Total Time: 20 minutes

Equipment

  • Square or rectangular pizza pan

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 450º F.
  • Lightly oil the pizza pan and work your dough into it to form your base and crust.
  • Sprinkle the cheese over the center of the dough, leaving room for the crust. With a ladle, drizzle the tomato sauce over the cheese in streaks or zig zags; don't cover the entire pizza.
  • Evenly sprinkle chopped fresh oregano over the top.
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the crust is golden and crisp, and the cheese is melted and bubbly. 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.