When you’re preparing your pizza you’ve probably wondered which order your tomato, cheese and toppings should go. Sometimes this is actually a hotly debated topic depending on where you are in the world.
So should you put the cheese or tomato first? Do you put toppings or cheese on pizza first? When making pizza what goes on first?
Typically tomato sauce will go on first on top of the dough, then cheese and then toppings. This allows the cheese to bubble and brown and the toppings to get direct heat and become crisp. There are some exceptions where the cheese is put first, or the toppings are put under the cheese but these are only certain pizzas.
Lets discuss why this is and what are the exceptions. I’ve got some instructions on how to properly top a pizza too. If you are in need of a reliable dough recipe then check out my pizza dough recipe which has all the instructions.
Cheese always goes belowthe toppings You’ve got your dough as the foundation. Then your sauce. The cheese is the next solid layer. Then your toppings (after all, they’re called top-pings and not bottom-ings), and then finally your garnishes like basil, pepper, fresh mozzarella, etc, after the pizza is cooked.
Why Top The Pizza In This Order
Probably the most important is the texture and flavor which is improved with the right order. With the cheese and toppings at the direct heat they get toasted. Cheese that has been toasted gets a deeper flavor and crispy texture. No one wants raw, mushy cheese on pizza.
Presentation is also important. By adding the toppings last then you can easily see what is on the pizza and makes it look appetizing. This wouldn’t be the same if you buried the pizza toppings under the cheese.
Pizza just looks better when the toppings are over the cheese. You can easily identify what is on the pizza and the eye catching colors of the toppings will make the pizza look very appetizing.
In addition to just looking better, having pizza toppings on top of the cheese can prevent the toppings from getting soggy and mushy. If the toppings go under the cheese, they will be steamed and rapidly cooked when the pizza goes into the oven. The heat from the oven will cause the toppings to release water vapor as they cook. This water vapor will get trapped under the cheese, causing the toppings to steam themselves.
If you put pineapples under the cheese, you will get pineapple mush. If you put pepperoni under the cheese, you may have some soggy pepperoni on your pizza. Many pizza toppings should not be steamed. So, if you want to avoid mushy toppings, keep them on top of the cheese when they can cook and crisp in the oven.
My best tip for making crispy pizza in a home oven is using a pizza “steel”. This adds intense heat from below like a brick oven would – I have this steel from Amazon which is significantly lower priced than the original brand, but works perfectly. Steel is more conductive than stone so transfers more heat, they don’t shatter and they are easier to clean. If it’s out of your price range then the 2nd best option is a pizza stone made from cordierite.
To see a round-up of the most important pizza equipment then see my essential pizza equipment list.
Lastly, the order comes down to ease of use. It is much easier to spread the liquid tomato sauce on a blank pizza base rather than spread it evenly over cheese and toppings. So you can get a nice even layer of tomato sauce.
Problems with this order
The main problem you can get by adding wet tomato sauce directly onto the pizza dough is a soggy pizza base. The dough will absorb water and become less crisp in the oven.
To avoid this you can make a water proof barrier by using sliced cheese on the base first. On top of this you put your layer of tomato sauce (easier to apply on cheese slices) and then toppings. You don’t get the advantage of toasted cheese on the pizza topping, but you can add some grated Peccorino or Parmesan when it comes out of the oven for a great finish.
If you cook your pizza with fruit under the cheese, you will get fruit mush. If you bury pepperoni beneath a cheese layer, you will end up with soggy pepperoni. Very few pizza toppings benefit from being steamed – so to prevent ending up with mush keep your toppings on top where they can cook and crisp up as they should.
When cheese is above the sauce, the heat melts and toasts it into a robust flavor and a crispier texture. With your other ingredients above the cheese, they also cook evenly and completely – not to mention, when the toppings are over the cheese, you can see what’s on the pizza! Displaying the colors, shapes, and textures of your ingredients over the cheese makes your pizza not only taste better but look better.
The order of toppings is critical to avoid under cooked or mushy cheese or other ingredients, which would detract from the flavor, appearance, and texture of your pizza. To avoid this and preserve the flavor and appeal of your ingredients (not to mention cook them properly), it’s best to get them in the right order. In general, the sauce should go on first, then the cheese, then the toppings. This way, the cheese and toppings enjoy the direct heat of the oven, which lets the toppings cook thoroughly while remaining crispy, while the cheese melts, browns, and bubbles. While there are certain parts of the world that shift this order around, there are convincing arguments to support sticking to this standard rule whenever possible.
During cooking, the heat of the oven causes water vapor to be released from toppings. When the toppings are hidden under the cheese, that vapor has nowhere to go which essentially puts your toppings in a steam bath and results in mushy ingredients and soggy pizza. To avoid this and keep your pizza tasting and looking better, don’t trap your ingredients under a layer of cheese.
Another tip for making great pizza at home is to order pizza topping from Sonoma Farm. Made with spices and herbs that will impart a rich, tangy flavor to your pizza, their pizza topping is 100% vegetarian, trans fat-free, and contains less than 10% fat. This tangy, spreadable topping makes a delicious addition to any pizza, and is made using hand-picked and processed tomatoes, spices, and herbs for an authentic Italian flavor. It’s also a healthy choice, with a good balance of proteins and carbohydrates. To try it out on your next pizza, visit Sonoma Farm at https://www.sonomafarm.com/ and place your order today.
Learn to Cook: Tips for Topping Pizza
FAQ
Is it better to put pizza toppings under cheese?
Do Italians put cheese on pizza first or last?
Do toppings or cheese go first on pizza reddit?
Do you put cheese on top of pizza toppings?
The right order of pizza toppings is essential for letting moisture evaporate in the oven to make a crispy crust, melted cheese, and well-baked toppings. A mistake I see all the time is putting the cheese on top of everything else. This is not a good idea because when the cheese melts, it will cover both the sauce and toppings and trap moisture.
Should you put cheese on a pizza?
This can be particularly important if you’re using a lot of heavy or chunky toppings, as they may have a tendency to roll off the pizza if they’re not anchored by the cheese. Additionally, putting the cheese on first can create a protective layer that helps to prevent the toppings from burning in the oven.
Why do pizza toppings go under cheese?
In addition to just looking better, having pizza toppings on top of the cheese can prevent the toppings from getting soggy and mushy. If the toppings go under the cheese, they will be steamed and rapidly cooked when the pizza goes into the oven. The heat from the oven will cause the toppings to release water vapor as they cook.
Do you put toasted cheese on a pizza?
On top of this, you put your layer of tomato sauce (easier to apply on cheese slices) and then toppings. You don’t get the advantage of toasted cheese on the pizza topping, but you can add some grated Pecorino or Parmesan when it comes out of the oven for a great finish. There are several pizzas that have the cheese on first.