National Pizza Day – February 9, 2025

On February 9 we celebrate National Pizza Day a day to enjoy the classic pepperoni, veggie supreme, or something adventurous like a dessert pizza. Everyone loves pizza from all age groups of people loves pizza, Some of the famous pizzas are Pepperoni is a timeless choice with spicy, savoury slices, Margherita Fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil for a simple yet flavorful experience, BBQ Chicken has a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce with chicken, red onions, and cilantro, Veggie Supreme is Loaded with bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and olives for a hearty, meatless option, Hawaiian is a sweet and savory combo of ham and pineapple, Buffalo Chicken of a Spicy buffalo sauce, chicken, and blue cheese for those who like a kick.

However, on this day, many people take the opportunity to order from local pizzerias, try new toppings, or even make homemade pizzas. Do you have a favourite pizza style or topping you love?

Table of Contents

History of National Pizza Day

Did you know that flatbreads with toppings were consumed by ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks, however, the modern birthplace of the pizza is southwestern Italy’s Campania region, home to Naples. Besides it it also said that it was Founded around 600 BC as a Greek settlement, Naples in the 1700s and early 1800s was a thriving waterfront city. Technically an independent kingdom, it was notorious for its throngs of working poor, or lazzaroni. These Neapolitans required inexpensive food that could be consumed quickly. Pizza flatbreads with toppings that can be eaten for every meal fulfilled this need. These early pizzas featured tasty toppings such as tomatoes, cheese, oil, anchovies, and garlic. More well off Italian authors judged Naples’ innovation, often calling their eating habits disgusting.

In the year 1861, Italy finally unified, and King Umberto I and Queen Margherita visited Naples in 1889. However, Legend says that the traveling pair became bored with their steady diet of French cuisine and asked for an assortment of pizzas from the city’s Pizzeria Brandi, founded in 1760. The variety the queen enjoyed the most was called pizza mozzarella, a pie topped with the soft white cheese, red tomatoes, and green basil — much resembling the Italian flag. Since then, this particular choice of toppings has been dubbed the Margherita pizza.

However, even with the Queen’s love for the dish, pizza would remain little known in Italy beyond Naples’ borders until the 1940s. Across the sea, immigrants to the United States from Naples were replicating their flatbreads in New York and other American cities. They were coming for factory jobs, but accidentally made a culinary statement. Relatively quickly, the flavors and aromas of pizza began to intrigue non-Neapolitans and non-Italians alike.

1861 (Queen Margherita Lends Her Name)	King Umberto and Queen Margherita of the newly unified Italy visit Naples and the Margherita pizza gets its name.
Late 1940s (Post-War Pie)	Immigrants to New York in the 1940s brought along the Neopolitan delight that is pizza.
1943 (Deep Dish Comes on the Scene)	Pizzeria Uno in Chicago invents the deep dish pizza, sparking the still unsettled debate of whether a casserole can really be a pizza.
1958 (Pizza the Hut)	The leading chain pizza restaurant was founded in Wichita, Kansas

Homemade Margherita Pizza

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 packet (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp salt
¾ cup warm water (about 110°F or 43°C)
1 tbsp olive oil

For the Toppings:

1 cup pizza sauce (store-bought or homemade)
8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
Fresh basil leaves
1-2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

How to make:

In a large bowl, combine the flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt.
Add the warm water and olive oil. Mix until a dough forms.
Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat.
Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release air.
On a floured surface, roll or stretch the dough into your desired shape (round or rectangular). Aim for about 10-12 inches in diameter.
Transfer the dough to a parchment-lined baking sheet or a preheated pizza stone.
Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
Layer the fresh mozzarella slices on top.
Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
Once out of the oven, top with fresh basil leaves and drizzle a little more olive oil if desired.
Source: Love and Lemons

Additional Tips:

Here are some of the tips for making Pizza perfect,

Feel free to customize your toppings with pepperoni, veggies, or anything else you love.
If you like a crispy crust, bake directly on the pizza stone or a preheated baking sheet.

5 Facts About Pizza

350 slices eaten each second- As one of the most popular foods in America, approximately 350 slices of pizza are consumed by Americans every second.
Pass the Pizza- During the Super Bowl, more than 2 million pizzas are sold by franchise Pizza Hut.
Lombardi’s Pizzeria- Lombardi’s was America’s first pizzeria, with its outlet in New York
Pizza makes up a part of your daily nutritional value- A standard serving of pizza makes up half of the dietary requirement of Lycopene.
Most expensive Pizza in the world- The world’s most expensive pizza named ‘Louis XIII,’ is prepared by Chef Renato Viola at this gourmet pizzeria in Italy.

Activities For National Pizza Day

Here are some of the activities that you can do no National Pizza day,

1. Pizza-Making Party

On this day you can gather friends or family and make your own pizzas. Set up a toppings bar with various ingredients and let everyone create their unique masterpiece.

2. Pizza Taste Test

Also you can order different styles of pizza from various local pizzerias. Hav e a taste test to see which one is your favorite! You can score them based on taste, crust, and toppings.

3. Pizza-Themed Games

Even you can organize pizza-themed games like a trivia quiz about pizza history or a scavenger hunt with pizza-related items.

4. DIY Pizza Kits

Create DIY pizza kits to share with friends or family. Include dough, sauce, and a selection of toppings for them to enjoy at home.

5. Virtual Pizza Party

If you can’t be with loved ones in person, host a virtual pizza party and Everyone can make or order their pizza and share their creations over video chat.

6. Pizza Art Contest

Get creative by hosting a pizza-themed art contest. Participants can draw, paint, or even craft pizza-related sculptures.

7. Watch a Pizza Movie

Enjoy a pizza-themed movie night with classics like “Eat Pray Love,” “Mystic Pizza,” or any fun food documentary.

8. Explore New Recipes

Try making a new type of pizza you’ve never had before, like a deep-dish or a white pizza, or even experiment with dessert pizzas.

9. Pizza Delivery Challenge

Challenge friends to deliver pizzas to each other’s homes. It’s a fun way to share pizza while exploring your local neighborhoods.

10. Support Local Businesses

Even on this special day you can also visit your favourite local pizzeria and try something new, or take the opportunity to support a new one you’ve been wanting to try.

Some Famous Pizza

There are the some of the famous pizza that you can try on National Pizza Day,

Margherita Pizza: A classic with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Pepperoni Pizza: A fan favorite, loaded with spicy pepperoni slices over a cheesy base.
Sicilian Pizza: Thick, rectangular slices topped with a robust tomato sauce, onions, and olives.
Hawaiian Pizza: A sweet and savory combination of ham and pineapple.
Neapolitan Pizza: Traditional Italian style, featuring a soft crust with minimal toppings, typically just tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
Chicago Deep-Dish Pizza: Known for its deep crust and layers of cheese and toppings, almost like a pizza pie.
Buffalo Chicken Pizza: Spicy buffalo chicken with a creamy ranch or blue cheese drizzle.
Veggie Pizza: Loaded with a variety of fresh vegetables, perfect for plant lovers.
BBQ Chicken Pizza: A smoky twist with BBQ sauce, grilled chicken, red onions, and cilantro.
White Pizza: A delicious option without tomato sauce, featuring ricotta, mozzarella, garlic, and spinach.

Conclusion

National Pizza Day on February 9th is a day that brings together pizza lovers from all walks of life. Whether you’re a fan of classic toppings like pepperoni and cheese, or you prefer to explore creative combinations such as BBQ chicken or Mediterranean-inspired flavors, this day is all about indulging in one of the world’s most beloved foods.

Celebrating National Pizza Day can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like. Even You might choose to gather friends and family for a pizza-making night, experimenting with various toppings and sauces, or you could support your favorite local pizzeria by ordering a few pies to enjoy at home. This day encourages culinary creativity, so don’t hesitate to try something new, like a dessert pizza or a unique crust.

Moreover, it’s a great opportunity to bond with others over a shared love for pizza. Many restaurants and pizzerias often run special promotions or events, making it even more exciting to participate. However, whether you’re dining out or making your own at home, National Pizza Day is a reminder to enjoy the simple pleasures in life good food and good company. So gather your favorite toppings, fire up the oven, and celebrate pizza in all its delicious forms.

FAQs

Can I make pizza at home?

Yes! Making pizza at home can be a fun activity. You can use store-bought dough or make your own, and customize toppings to your liking.

Are there any pizza-themed recipes I can try?

Yes! You could try making a classic margherita, a stuffed crust pizza, or even pizza rolls. Dessert pizzas using cookies or fruit are also a hit!