For National Pizza Week

January 12–18, 2025

A Sourdough Love Story

Oh, pizza. Is there a single food that is more universally beloved in the USA? And then there is sourdough pizza, which might be my favorite food. This dough is leavened with naturally occurring bacteria and yeast in a sourdough starter, which makes a unique tangy flavor and improves digestibility.

Sourdough Ham and Cheese Pizza
Cheesy pizza
Cheesy Sourdough Pizza

Our family made awful pizza as kids, but we didn’t know better. We loved our packaged Chef Boyardee mixes that included baker’s yeast and baking soda so that you didn’t have to wait for the dough to rise.

But since then, my taste buds have matured thanks to Uno’s in Chicago and Fat Daddy’s Pizza in Provo, Utah, where my youngest daughter works. And while those places make great pizza, the dough is not always sourdough, and once you’ve tasted the flavor and crunch of REAL™ Sourdough Pizza Crust, it’s hard to go back.

What is Sourdough Pizza?

REAL™ sourdough pizza distinguishes itself through dough leavened with a naturally fermented sourdough starter. This process introduces a subtle tanginess and enhances the overall flavor of the crust by breaking down complex starches and proteins in the flour. The resulting texture is uniquely chewy and slightly crisp, offering a more satisfying mouthfeel. Additionally, some individuals find sourdough pizza easier to digest due to the breakdown of gluten during fermentation. For pizza enthusiasts, experiencing sourdough pizza’s distinctive flavor and texture is a culinary journey worth undertaking.

Sourdough pizza crust boasts several advantages:

  • REAL™ Flavor: The long fermentation process develops complex flavors, adding a subtle tanginess that complements the toppings, which Martha calls real flavor.  
  • Easier to Handle: The long fermentation strengthens the gluten, making the dough easier to stretch and shape.
  • Improved Digestibility: The extended fermentation breaks down some gluten, making it easier for some people to digest.  
  • Unique Texture: Sourdough creates a chewier, more flavorful crust than traditional pizza dough.  

Sourdough is worth trying if you want a more flavorful and potentially easier-to-digest pizza experience!

Celebrate #NationalPizzaWeek With These Ideas

National Pizza Week is a time to indulge in your favorite food! Many pizzerias offer special weekly deals, including carryout discounts and even free slices.

  • Host a Pizza Party: Invite friends and family for a make-your-own pizza party.
  • Learn and Explore: Dive into the history of pizza or watch a movie featuring pizza, such as “Wayne’s World,” “Saturday Night Fever,” or “Toy Story.”
  • Read and Share: Read a pizza-themed book to your children, such as “Hi, Pizza Man” or “Pizza-Pie Snowman.” Share a photo of your favorite pizza on social media using the hashtag #NationalPizzaWeek.
  • As a last resort, Order in: Enjoy a pizza every day of the week, trying new toppings each time. Get creative with your family by having everyone design their unique pizza.

But nothing beats making your own (learn how below)!

46 Pizza Celebrations in the USA This Year

Just take a look at the National Day Calendar schedule this year, which lists several national celebrations of pizza, including:

  1. National Pizza Week is celebrated annually beginning on the second Sunday of January, highlighting the popularity of pizza as one of the nation’s favorite foods; I know that it is one of mine!
  2. National Pizza Day is celebrated on February 9th, a time to enjoy pizza and appreciate the skill that goes into making it. 
  3. National Deep Dish Pizza Day: Celebrated on April 5th, it recognizes this unique style of pizza that originated in Chicago, featuring a thick crust, layers of cheese, and toppings, often baked in a deep dish pan.
  4. National Pizza Party Day: Celebrated on the third Friday of May, this day is a time to celebrate pizza with friends and family.
  5. National Detroit Style Pizza Day is observed annually on June 23rd 
  6. National Cheese Pizza Day: Celebrated on September 5th, this day is a time to celebrate cheese pizza. 
  7. National Pepperoni Pizza Day, celebrated annually on September 20th, honors this the most beloved pizza topping enjoyed by people of all ages.
  8. National Pizza Month in October gives us 31 days to explore the pizza world and all its flavors.
  9. National Sausage Pizza Day: Celebrated on October 11th, this day is a time to enjoy sausage pizza. 
  10. National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies Day: Celebrated on November 12th, this day is a time to celebrate pizza with the works, except anchovies.

MARTHA’s SOURDOUGH PIZZA CRUST RECIPE

In 2023, Martha Levie, head baker at Abigail’s Oven, shared her sourdough pizza crust recipe for National Pizza Day, February 9, 2023 (see her recipe below).

In addition, on YourSourdoughStart.com, we have shared a simple sourdough crust recipe and explained the best reasons for making REAL™ Sourdough Pizza.

Sourdough Pizza Crust
Prep time: 15 minutesProof Time: 6–8 hoursBake time: 20 mins
Yield: two 12-inch pizza crustsServings: 4–8 servings

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup [240g] sourdough starter
  • ½ cup [113g] water
  • 2½ cups [300g]  00 Pizzeria Flour* (when not available, All-Purpose Flour works well as a substitute)
  • 1 tsp [6g] salt
  • (OPTIONAL: olive oil to prevent sticking as needed.)

* Note: Type 00 Pizzeria Flour “…is classified by the Italian flour system as flour that’s been milled extremely fine and has much of the bran and germ sifted out. In fact, it’s the whitest and finest flour you can find in Italy. Specifying a flour as type 00 does not indicate its protein percentage. This type of flour is is typically used for pizza, some pasta, and Focaccia… If you don’t have access to type 00 four, white flour (11.5% protein) or even and all-purpose flour will work in its place. But I’ve found using type 00 yield the lightest and most tender pizza in a home oven.”

Maurizio Leo, in “The Perfect Loaf,” p. 295

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Prepare the Starter: Stir your mature starter and measure 1 cup (240g). Remember to feed your starter for future use
  2. Combine Ingredients: Add the specified amounts of flour, water, and salt to the starter in a mixing bowl.
  3. Mix and Knead: Mix and knead the dough for approximately 7 minutes by hand or using a stand mixer with the dough hook attachment until it forms a smooth ball.
  4. Bulk Fermentation: Place the dough in an oiled container with a lid. Perform three sets of stretches and folds at 30-minute intervals. Allow for overnight cold fermentation in the refrigerator (minimum 8 hours).
  5. Shape and Proof: Shape the cold dough into two 300g balls. Proof at room temperature for 5-6 hours, covered.
  6. Preheat and Shape: Preheat the oven to 450°F (220°C). Press each dough ball into a flattened disk on parchment paper, avoiding degassing the rim.
  7. Broil and Sauce: Switch the oven to broil for a few minutes. Quickly top the pizza with your desired sauce.
  8. Bake and Top: Lower the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C). Bake the pizza for 10 minutes to cook the crust. Add your preferred toppings (pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, spinach, cheese, etc.) or create a delicious vegetarian option.

In Summary

Sourdough pizza offers a unique combination of flavor, texture, and ease of making. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting, try it!

Tell us about your love of sourdough pizza in the comment section below.