This New York-style Sicilian pizza recipe is made with a thick crust topped with red sauce, anchovies, toasted bread crumbs, onions, and mozzarella. It’s a foolproof rectangular pizza that will make you feel like you’re dining in Palermo!
Fun and unique pizzas are ALWAYS a hit with my family. This is why if you ask them, they’d say their favorite pizzas are my birria pizza or a crustless pizza.
After our recent trip to Italy (and an intensive two-week cooking course in Sicily), I’ve added this authentic Sicilian pizza into the mix.
What is Sicilian pizza?
Sicilian pizza, AKA pizza Siciliana or sfincione, is a rectangular pizza with a thick and fluffy crust that acts like a sponge. Now, it’s the toppings that make this pie a little different. Most feature a combination of anchovy filets, toasted breadcrumbs, and plenty of tomato sauce…and light on the cheese.
Here are some reasons why you’d love this recipe:
- Simple ingredients. This Sicilian pizza recipe uses store-bought pizza dough and a handful of simple and accessible toppings (but it also works with homemade dough!)
- Crowd-pleasing. Everybody likes pizza! Serve this popular Sicilian recipe with even more homemade pizzas on pizza night.
- It’s versatile. What I love about Sicilian-style pizza is its flexibility. While most of the toppings here give you the traditional Sicilian experience, you can play around with the options as much as you like! Check out the Flavor Variations below for even more pizza topping ideas.
Ingredients needed
All of the ingredients you need to make this pizza recipe are easy to find in most major grocery stores:
- Pizza dough: You can make this pizza with store-bought pizza dough (fresh or frozen) to keep the recipe as quick and simple as possible. I often make my 2 ingredient dough that has no yeast in it.
- Pizza sauce: Use your favorite store-bought tomato pizza sauce (or try my pomodoro sauce or sugo).
- Mozzarella cheese: Shred the whole milk mozzarella yourself to help it melt to perfection. You can also use other cheeses like pecorino romano and parmesan.
- Onion: Use a white or sweet onion.
- Anchovies: Anchovy filets are chopped into smaller pieces for easy eating. This is completely optional, and some of my family members prefer that I omit it- the choice is yours.
- Cherry tomatoes: Roasted cherry tomatoes on pizza give every bite a juicy pop of sweet and earthy flavors.
- Bread crumbs: You can use panko bread crumbs, regular or whole wheat bread crumbs, or gluten free bread crumbs.
- Olive oil: The oil is brushed over the crust and combined with the bread crumbs to encourage browning.
- Basil: Fresh basil leaves are best but you can use the dried kind if you are in a pinch.
- Spices. Optional, but I like to sometimes add red pepper flakes, oregano, and garlic powder.
How to make Sicilian pizza
What I love about this recipe is really just how hands-off it is. Because it’s baked in a rectangular pan, it doesn’t matter how you shape or knead the dough.
Step 1 – Roll out the dough.
Lay the pizza dough on a surface dusted with flour and roll it out to roughly the same size as your baking pan. Transfer it to the lightly greased sheet pan and press it out to the sides and edges. To finish, brush the dough with the olive oil.
Step 2 – Add the toppings.
Spread the pizza sauce over the crust, followed by half of the shredded mozzarella, onions, anchovies, and cherry tomatoes. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and olive oil-dressed bread crumbs.
Step 3 – Bake.
Bake the pizza siciliana until the cheese is melted and the crust and bread crumbs are golden brown.
Step 4 – Top with basil.
Top the baked pizza with fresh basil leaves, then slice and enjoy!
Recipe tips and variations
- Thaw the dough ahead of time. If your dough is frozen, remember to transfer it to the fridge the night before making this recipe and ensure it is at room temperature.
- Is the dough springing back while you’re rolling it out? Set it aside to rest for 15 to 30 minutes. This gives the gluten time to relax and should prevent it from springing back.
- Authentic Sicilian pizza is made without mozzarella. For the true experience, omit the mozzarella and stir caciocavallo cheese into the pizza sauce.
- Pre-cook the toppings. To deepen the flavors, saute the onions and anchovies in a lightly oiled skillet until they become lightly golden.
- Add meat. Pepperoni slices, prosciutto, Italian meatballs, shredded chicken, or Italian sausage would be fabulous additions.
Storage instructions
To store: The leftover pizza or individual slices can be kept in an airtight container or covered in plastic wrap and stored in the fridge for up to 1 week.
To freeze: Keep the slices in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 6 months.
Reheating: The best way to reheat leftover pizza is in a 350ºF (180ºC) oven until the crust is slightly crisp and the cheese is gooey.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sicilian and New York pizza the same?
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Sicilian Pizza Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds pizza dough fresh or frozen
- 28 ounces pizza sauce
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese
- 1 medium onion sliced
- 2 ounces anchovies chopped
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1/4 cup basil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 230C/450F. Lightly grease a large baking pan.
- Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface to fit the size of your baking pan. Transfer the dough to a greased baking pan and press the dough down to fit the base and allowing 1/2-1 inch up the sides. Gently press down the center.
- Brush one tablespoon of olive oil around the crust and one in the center of the dough.
- In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Spread the tomato sauce, followed by half the cheese, onion, anchovies, and cherry tomatoes. Add the remaining cheese, followed by the breadcrumb mix.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden.
- Tear up the basil over the top and serve.