There are few foods as satisfying as a perfectly cooked Neapolitan pizza. With its airy, leopard-spotted crust, simple tomato sauce, and fresh toppings, authentic Neapolitan pizza showcases how just a handful of quality ingredients can create something extraordinary.
The good news? You don't need a trip to Naples to enjoy it. Modern outdoor pizza ovens make it possible for you to recreate the high temperatures and cooking conditions traditionally found in wood-fired ovens.
In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to make authentic and delicious Neapolitan pizza at home—from preparing the dough and sauce to launching and cooking your first pizza successfully.
Neapolitan Pizza Dough Recipe
The foundation of great pizza starts with the dough. A properly fermented Neapolitan dough develops flavor, elasticity, and the airy texture that defines the style.
Ingredients
- 650 grams ice water
- 2 grams yeast
- 200 grams sourdough starter (if not on hand, use 2 grams extra yeast)
- 1000 grams 00 flour (It creates the lightest dough possible!)
- 25 grams salt
Instructions
Simple Tomato Pizza Sauce
One big mistake new pizza makers make is overcomplicating the sauce. Authentic Neapolitan pizza sauce is intentionally simple. It's meant to complement the dough, not overpower it.
Ingredients
- 1 (28 oz) can San Marzano or Bianco DiNapoli whole peeled tomatoes
- 20 grams olive oil
- 15 grams Kosher salt
Instructions
Margarita Pizza
When making Neapolitan pizza, less is more! Overloading with toppings can make the pizza difficult to launch and prevent proper cooking. So be sparing, especially in your first attempts, and then you can feel free and get more creative once you are comfortable.
Ingredients
- 1 Neapolitan Crust
- 2-3 Tbsp Simple Tomato Pizza Sauce
- Fresh-Pulled Mozzarella
- Fresh Basil
Instructions
Why Temperature Matters
If the stone is too cool, the crust will dry out before it cooks properly. If it's too hot, the bottom will burn before the toppings finish cooking. Thus, consistent heat is one of the most important factors in producing restaurant-quality results at home.
Before launching your first pizza, your oven needs adequate time to pre-heat (20 minutes minimum).
Target Temperature
For authentic Neapolitan pizza, aim for:
- Stone temperature: 750–850°F
- Dome temperature: 800–950°F
Use an infrared thermometer to verify the temperature of the cooking surface before baking.
Final Thoughts
Making Neapolitan pizza in an outdoor pizza oven combines quality ingredients, proper fermentation, and high-temperature cooking. While it may take a few attempts to perfect your technique (and that's ok! We've all been there!) each pizza helps you learn how your dough, oven, and cooking style all work together.
Start with this simple dough recipe, use uncooked tomato sauce, and focus on mastering the launch and rotation process. Before long, you'll be producing beautifully blistered pizzas that rival your favorite pizzaria.
