National Cheese Pizza Day

Celebrating the Purest Form of Pizza

Ah, cheese pizza—the unsung hero of the pizza world. While other pizzas strut around with their extravagant toppings like pineapple, anchovies, or even a kale-avo-twist (yes, that’s a thing), the cheese pizza remains steadfast in its simplicity. On National Cheese Pizza Day, observed every year on September 5th, we pay homage to this marvel of minimalist cuisine. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or someone who views cheese pizza as the "blank canvas" for future toppings, let’s take a slice out of its history, virtues, and unexpected charm.

A Slice of History

Believe it or not, pizza itself has a long, winding road through history. While flatbreads topped with various ingredients have been around for centuries (we’re talking ancient Greece and Egypt), the modern pizza as we know it really began in Naples, Italy, in the late 18th century. Legend has it that the classic "Margherita" pizza was created in 1889 by a pizzaiolo named Raffaele Esposito. He made it to honor Queen Margherita of Savoy, using the colors of the Italian flag—tomato (red), mozzarella (white), and basil (green). But take away the tomatoes and basil, and what are you left with? Cheese pizza in all its gooey, melty glory.

The cheese pizza didn’t start as an afterthought—it was a revolution. By focusing purely on the basics, it put mozzarella front and center, giving it the spotlight it so clearly deserves. And for those of us who revel in simplicity, National Cheese Pizza Day is the perfect opportunity to celebrate this no-frills, no-nonsense approach to culinary excellence.

Why Simplicity is King

You might be wondering, "Why celebrate cheese pizza when there are so many elaborate options out there?" Well, let’s break it down:

1. The Original Comfort Food: Cheese pizza has a unique ability to comfort us in ways few other foods can. Feeling stressed? One bite of that cheesy, perfectly doughy triangle, and the world feels a little brighter. It’s a culinary hug.
2. A Crowd-Pleaser: Cheese pizza is the ultimate diplomat at any pizza party. It’s Switzerland on a plate—neutral, unobjectionable, and impossible to hate. From picky kids to seasoned foodies, no one ever turns their nose up at a well-made cheese pizza.
3. Less is More: In an age where pizzas can come loaded with everything from arugula to caviar (who asked for that?), cheese pizza stands tall, reminding us that sometimes, all you need is the basics. The combination of melted mozzarella and a well-cooked crust is a pairing as natural as peanut butter and jelly, but with fewer sandwich-related messes.
4. A Canvas for Creativity: Sure, it’s simple, but that doesn’t mean it’s boring. Cheese pizza is the blank canvas of the pizza world. You want to sprinkle some red pepper flakes or drizzle some olive oil? Go ahead. Want to get creative with dipping sauces? The cheese pizza says, "Sure thing, pal!"
5. The "Test of a Pizzeria": In the world of pizza aficionados, there’s an unspoken rule—if you want to judge how good a pizzeria is, order their cheese pizza. With no toppings to distract, it’s all about the quality of the dough, sauce, and cheese. If they nail the basics, you know you’re in good hands.

Cheese Pizza Fun Facts

• The Most Popular Cheese: Mozzarella, hands down, is the king of cheese pizzas. Its mild, stretchy, and slightly salty character is the perfect match for pizza dough. But don’t be surprised if you run into versions with provolone, cheddar, or even Parmesan.
• The Cheesiest Cheese Pizza: The record for the most types of cheese on a single pizza is held by a pizzeria in Portland, Oregon. Their cheese pizza featured a staggering 101 varieties of cheese! While it’s debatable whether that still counts as "cheese pizza" or a "dairy explosion," it’s definitely something to marvel at.
• Pizza in Space: Cheese pizza was one of the first types of food astronauts successfully ate in space. Talk about out-of-this-world deliciousness!
• Pizza Consumption: Americans eat about 350 slices of pizza per second. That’s a lot of dough… and cheese! No wonder we need an entire day dedicated to just one type of pizza.

Celebrating National Cheese Pizza Day

Whether you’re a pizza purist or just someone looking for an excuse to eat an entire pizza by yourself (no judgment here), National Cheese Pizza Day offers plenty of ways to celebrate.

• DIY Pizza Party: Grab some dough, sauce, and mozzarella, and host a cheese pizza bake-off at home. Whether you go for classic Neapolitan or try a deep-dish twist, making your own pizza is a great way to appreciate the craft behind it. Plus, there’s nothing quite like the smell of pizza baking in your own kitchen.
• Support Your Local Pizzeria: If you’re not into making pizza yourself, head to your local pizza joint and order up a classic cheese pizza. After all, it’s the perfect day to support those who dedicate their lives to creating this cheesy masterpiece.
• Try a Twist: Feeling adventurous? Try a different cheese blend, or even drizzle a little honey or balsamic glaze over your pizza. Cheese pizza is the ultimate food playground—it’s simple enough to experiment with while staying delicious at its core.
• Go Big or Go Home: Make it a point to eat an entire cheese pizza by yourself, because why not? It’s a national holiday, and if that’s not an excuse to indulge, what is? (Pro tip: stretchy pants recommended.)

At its heart, cheese pizza demonstrates the beauty of simplicity. It doesn’t need fancy toppings or a catchy name. It’s just there, always reliable, always delicious, and always ready to save the day when you can’t decide what to eat.

So, on National Cheese Pizza Day, raise a slice (or three) to the original, the timeless, and the endlessly satisfying cheese pizza. Whether you’re savoring it on your own, sharing it with friends, or awkwardly debating who gets the last slice (because yes, everyone wants the last slice), cheese pizza is always the answer.

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