The honest truth?
All of these square New York style pizzas SEEM quite similar.
It’s the tiniest difference in ingredients, dough, and preparation that somehow yield totally different bites with Grandma-style pizza and Silician!
Grandma pizza is a rectangle-shaped pizza that originated from Sicilian pizza. Although the dough is similar, Grandma pizza is known for its thin, dense, and crunchy crust. Sicilian style is usually a bit thicker and more bread-like.
Both pizzas are similar, but they are not EXACTLY the same.
Here’s a breakdown of Grandma vs Sicilian-style pizza:
| Grandma | Sicilian | |
| Origin | Long Island, New York | Sicily, Italy |
| Shape | Square or rectangle | Square or rectangle |
| Dough | Light, airy and high hydration. Almost as a very thick batter | High-hydration, very doughy. Like Foccacia bread! |
| Sauce | Best made with hand-crushed tomatoes and fresh basil | Tomato-based, usually a bit more olive oil tasting. Sometimes cooked first (separately) |
| Cheese | Mozarella | Mozarella, often combined with other strong cheeses |
| Toppings | Pepperoni, vegetables, herbs… Feel free to play around! | Anything, but traditionally lots of onions, herbs (basil and oregano!). Cured meats. |
| Ingredient order | Dough on the bottom, topped by cheese. Sauce is spread over the cheese | Dough on the bottom, some people build like a normal pizza (sauce under cheese and toppings), while others build like a Detroit-style |
| Bake | 12 to 15 minutes at medium temps (450F) | Longer at medium temps (25-35 mins at 450F) |
| Served | Small squares | Small squares |
You can try making Sicilian and Grandma pizza at home, using a few simple ingredients.
Now, let’s dive in:
What is Grandma-Style pizza?
Grandma-style pizza is a square-shaped pizza known for its thin, crispy-but-dense crust. The dough likely evolved from traditional Sicilian pizza in New York (though it’s dense).
Basically, it’s the type of pizza your grandma would make for you. 😉
It’s usually made in a rectangular pan (similar to Detroit and Sicilian styles), with a simple dough recipe that doesn’t need to rise for long.
The Grandma pizza is usually topped with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce, with the cheese coming first.
This simple sheet-pan pizza has gained popularity around the world for being both incredibly tasty AND easy to make.
Where did Grandma Pizza come from?
The Grandma pizza we know today is based on a traditional Italian recipe, and came from Long Island, New York. (Most people agree that a family pizzeria called Umberto’s was the first to coin the term and serve the pizza as it’s known today).
Also, at the time (early 1960’s), only a few people owned an actual pizza oven. The only solution was coming up with a super easy recipe that ANYONE can make at home.
What is Sicilian-Style pizza?
Sicilian pizza is a thick-crust rectangular pizza served in squares and with minimal toppings.
It’s also known as sfincione or focaccia with toppings.
Traditional Sicilian pizza typically comes in a square shape, but it can also be round (similar to Neapolitan).
The Sicilian-style dough is high-hydration (65-75% water) with a long proofing time of 12 to 24 hours.
When making Sicilian pizza, the sauce usually comes first, followed by cheese and toppings.
Where did Sicilian pizza come from?
Sicilian-style pizza originated in Sicily, Italy, during the 19th century. It was originally called “sfincione,” which means “thick sponge.”
(Sounds tasty, yes?)
Up until the early 1900s, this was the most consumed type of pizza in Sicily.
Sicilian pizza evolved when Italian immigrants introduced the recipe to the US. Today, there are DOZENS of variations! There is even a version of Sicilian pizza without any cheese.
However, most Sicilian recipes will stick to Mediterranean toppings such as onions, tomatoes, anchovies, and strong cheeses.
Italian Pizza F.A.Q.s
What is the difference between a Grandma pizza and a Grandpa pizza?
The Grandma and Grandma pizza are pretty much the same; the main difference being the toppings. A Grandpa pizza combines the elements of Grandma style (cheese, tomato sauce) with meat. It can be covered with ground sausage and other types of meat. Grandpa pizza also typically has more cheese and more sauce.
Is Sicilian pizza thick or thin?
Unlike Grandma pizza, Sicilian has an ultra-thick, fluffy crust. The dough can be over an inch thick. Sicilian pizza also contains a generous amount of cheese, adding to the thickness.
Is Grandma pizza the same as Margherita pizza?
No, it’s not. While both pizzas have a rather thin crust, they are made with different ingredients. Margherita pizza is usually topped with mozzarella and basil leaves, while Grandma typically also includes garlic and olive oil.
Why is grandma pizza so good?
Grandma pizza is known for its delicious, crispy crust. The dough for Grandma pizza doesn’t need to be left to rise, which results in a crispy flavor. The pizza is also prepared in a pan that’s heavily coated in olive oil, adding to the crunchiness.