Pizza Marinara

Pizza marinara is an Italian pizza topped with only tomato sauce.

Lastest Updated May 27, 2024
Verified by A-Z Cuisines Team
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Fact: Pizza marinara is among the oldest pizzas in Italy.

Basic Information

Pizza Marinara: Basic Information

Pronunciation

/ˌmerəˈnerə/
or ma-ri-nah-ra
for “marinara”

Alternative Name(s)

Pizza alla marinara

Dish Type

Pizza

Course

Main Course

Mealtime

Lunch, Dinner

Popular Variations

Pizza marinara with salted anchovies in Rome
Origin and Region

Pizza Marinara: Origin and Region

Origin

Italy

Continent’s Region

Naples, Campania

Country’s Region

Associated Region

Campania Map
Ingredients and Preparation

Pizza Marinara: Ingredients and Preparation

Main Ingredients

Pizza dough, tomatoes, olive oil, oregano, garlic

Main Cooking Method

Baking

Preparation Process

Preparing the dough, topping the pizza with tomato sauce, baking the pizza
A Deep Dive

Pizza Marinara: A Deep Dive

Cultural Significance

One of the oldest pizza varieties

Taste

Tangy, slightly sweet

Texture

Moist, chewy crust

Aroma

Fruity and herbal

Color

Red

Serving Style

Sliced or unsliced in Italy and eaten with a knife and fork

Serving Temperature

Hot or warm

Accompaniment

Salads, soups, grilled vegetables, wine

Occasions

Any

Seasons

Special Diets

Calories

893 calories, according to data of MyFitnessPal for one marinara pizza.

Popularity

Worldwide (especially in Italy)

Popular Similar Dishes

  1. Focaccia
  2. Piadina
  3. Garlic fingers
  4. Pissaladière
  5. Coca
  6. Lahmacun
  7. Pastrmalija

Popular Dining Area

Pizzerias, restaurants, fast food chains, food trucks

Pizza marinara is a classic thin-crust, wood-fired Italian pizza from Naples. It consists of only tomato sauce, olive oil, garlic, and oregano, with no cheese or other toppings. Thanks to the lack of meat and dairy products, pizza marinara is a healthy vegan dish suitable for people of all ages.

However, many pizzerias around Rome typically add salted anchovies to pizza marinara. Pitted olives, basil, and capers are sometimes used as add-ons for several recipes.

This tomato sauce-only pizza variety has a long history, created in the mid-18th century. Therefore, pizza marinara is one of the simplest and earliest types of pizzas in existence. Supposedly, this simple pizza was made for poor sailors, hence the name: “Marinara” means “seafaring” or “sailor style.”

What else do you want to know about pizza marinara? How about its pros and cons, the differences between pizza marinara and pizza Margherita, and popular questions frequently asked about pizza marinara? Read on to discover all these useful facts!

Key Points

  • Pizza marinara is a simple Italian pizza topped with only tomato sauce.
  • Pizza marinara hails from Naples and is one of the oldest pizza varieties in Italy.
  • Pizza marinara is a vegan dish and relatively healthier than many pizza dishes.

Pizza Marinara Images

Pros and Cons of Eating Pizza Marinara

Pizza marinara has the following merits and shortcomings.

Pros

  • Simplicity: The minimalist toppings shorten the preparation time and bring out the best flavor of each ingredient.
  • Suitability for plant-based diets: Pizza marinara is naturally vegan since it excludes cheese and meat products.
  • Digestibility: The absence of animal-derived ingredients makes pizza marinara easier to digest, especially for those who are lactose intolerant.
  • Low cost: Fewer ingredients mean a lower cost of production and a lower menu price for pizza marinara.
  • Authenticity: Pizza marinara is one of the oldest and most traditional forms of pizza in Italy.

Cons

  • Lack of protein: This meat-free and cheese-free pizza might not be as filling as other varieties.
  • Less topping variety: Some people might find pizza marinara too plain or miss the richness that cheese brings to pizza.
  • Risk of drying out: Without the moisture from cheese, pizza marinara can sometimes feel a bit dry if the tomato sauce isn’t generously applied.

After learning about those advantages and disadvantages, you might find pizza marinara a duplication of pizza Margherita. Let’s delve into the differences between the two to see why this isn’t true.

What Is the Difference Between Pizza Marinara and Pizza Margherita?

Pizza marinara is distinct from pizza Margherita in these 3 aspects: main flavoring ingredients, special features, and history.

Don’t stop at this comparison; there are several more facts you should know about pizza marinara. Move on to the FAQs for more information!

Pizza Marinara FAQs

No, pizza marinara sauce isn’t the same thing as marinara sauce, though both are made from tomatoes. The former is generally thicker and exclusively used for pizza, whereas the latter pairs well with pasta.

In addition, pizza marinara sauce is generally made by blending tomatoes with other ingredients and baking the mixture on pizza, while people prepare marinara sauce by simmering tomato paste and crushed tomatoes with add-ons.

Yes, marinara sauce can be used to top pizza marinara.

San Marzano tomatoes and Roma tomatoes are favorite varieties for making pizza marinara in Italy.

Similar Dishes of Pizza Marinara

    Adam Sam

    Adam Sam

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    • University of Gastronomic Sciences – Pollenzo (Italy) (MA Food Culture, Communication & Marketing)
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    Adam Sam, an experienced food writer and recipe developer, is passionate about blending diverse culinary traditions, national dishes, and innovative beverages, showcasing his proficiency in both traditional and modern recipe testing.

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