Neapolitan Pizza

Whenever we’re in the mood for pizza, Neapolitan Pizza is the one that wins. The crust gets those nice charred spots with a soft, chewy middle, the mozzarella melts beautifully, and the sauce stays bright and fresh. It’s the kind of simple dinner we never get tired of.

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, if you purchase through those links, I earn a commission. Thank you!

I make this for Friday nights, when friends come over, game days, or just because we’re craving really good pizza. It’s great for parties since you can make multiple pizzas quickly, and people love customizing their own. Best eaten fresh from the oven while it’s hot, but leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

How to Make Neapolitan Pizza with Step-By-Step Instructions

Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.

Making a true Neapolitan pizza at home is easier than you think, whether you’re using an Ooni pizza oven or your regular kitchen oven.

Preheat Your Oven

If you’re using a wood-fired oven, like an Ooni pizza oven, preheat it to 850°F/450°C. The high heat is what gives Neapolitan pizza its signature charred crust and quick cook time, so make sure your hot oven is ready when you are.

For a kitchen oven, preheat to 500°F/260°C and place your pizza stone inside to heat up if you have one. A pizza stone helps mimic the intense heat of a traditional pizza oven by absorbing moisture and distributing heat evenly across the base.

Prepare Your Work Surface

Lightly dust your pizza peel with flour if using a pizza oven, or dust your work surface or a round nonstick pizza pan with flour for a kitchen oven.

Place your 12-inch pizza dough on the floured surface. The flour prevents sticking and makes it easier to slide the pizza into the oven. You can use store-bought or homemade pizza crust. If you want to make your own, I’ll show you how to make pizza crust from scratch.

Make Pizza Dough (Optional)

Combine active dry yeast and granulated sugar in a bowl of warm water with a stand mixer. Make sure you’re using fresh yeast, not an old one, so it activates properly. Then, add flour, olive oil, and salt. 00 flour works best, but you can also use all-purpose flour or bread flour.

Once everything comes together, knead the dough with your hands on a lightly floured surface for 4 minutes, but don’t overwork it. After kneading, the dough ball should bounce back when you press it with your fingers. If that’s achieved, transfer it to a greased large or medium bowl.

Cover with plastic wrap or a clean linen kitchen towel and place the bowl in a warm place to let it rise for a few hours until doubled in size. Once risen, punch down on it to release air bubbles, then transfer to a floured work surface.

Divide it into 2 with a dough scraper if it’s too big for one pizza crust. Shape each piece into a round ball and gently stretch it with a rolling pin until you have a thin crust, just about ½ inch thick. You want an evenly flattened disc with a 12-inch diameter.

Add Sauce and Toppings

Spread pizza sauce evenly across the base, leaving a ½ inch border around the edges for the crust to puff up. Scatter fresh mozzarella cheese slices over the sauce. Parmesan cheese’s also a great choice.

If you’re using a pizza oven, add the torn basil leaves and drizzle of olive oil now. For a more pronounced aroma, you can use extra virgin olive oil. For a regular oven, you’ll add these after baking to keep the basil fresh and bright.

Cook the Pizza

For an Ooni pizza oven, cook for approximately 2 to 3 minutes, using a pizza turner to rotate the pizza every 20 seconds. This rotation gives you an even cook and prevents one side from burning. Watch for the base to crisp and the cheese to bubble.

For a home oven, place your pizza crust directly on the preheated pizza stone or a pizza tray and cook for approximately 8 to 10 minutes until it has a crispy crust and melty cheese.

Garnish and Serve

Remove the pizza from the oven. If you cooked it in a kitchen oven, garnish it with fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil now. Use a pizza wheel or a sharp pizza knife for neat slices.

Serve immediately while the crust is crispy and the cheese is hot and melty. Enjoy your perfect Neapolitan pizza!

This pizza travels well to potlucks, picnics, and gatherings if you pack it properly. Let the pizza cool for about 5 minutes after baking so the cheese sets slightly and won’t slide off during transport, then place it in a large, flat container or pizza box.

If you’re stacking multiple pizzas, put parchment paper between each one to prevent sticking. Keep the pizza warm by placing it in an insulated carrier.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover Neapolitan pizza in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Let the slices cool completely to room temperature before stacking them with parchment paper between each slice to prevent sticking. Reheat in an air fryer to keep the base crisp.

For longer storage, flash-freeze slices on a freezer-safe sheet pan for about 1 hour or cover tightly with plastic wrap, then freeze in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating, or reheat directly from frozen.

What to Serve With Neapolitan Pizza

It’s delicious served with a simple arugula salad dressed with lemon and olive oil, or a classic Caesar salad with shaved parmesan. The fresh, crisp greens cut through the richness of the cheese and provide a nice contrast to the pizza.

For appetizers before pizza, try serving garlic bread, bruschetta, or a caprese salad with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella. These Italian starters set the tone for pizza night without filling everyone up before the main event arrives.

More Easy Recipes for You to Try at Home

If you love homemade pizza, check out these other easy recipes.

• Caprese Pizza
• Artichoke Pizza
• Margherita Pizza
• Spinach Pizza
• Cheese Pizza