Should Pizza Be Classified As a Sandwich Or a Pie?
Pizza should be classified as a pie because it has a crust and is typically round. A sandwich does not have a crust and is typically triangular or rectangular.
Pizza is one of the most popular foods in the world. But what exactly is it? Is it a sandwich or a pie?
There are two schools of thought on this matter. Some people say that pizza is a sandwich because it has all the key components of a sandwich: bread, sauce, and toppings. Others say that pizza is a pie because it’s typically round and has a crust.
So, which is it? Well, technically, both arguments have merit. Pizza does have all the key components of a sandwich.
But it also has a crust like a pie.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter whether you classify pizza as a sandwich or a pie. It’s delicious either way!

Credit: culinarydebates.com
Is Pizza Considered a Pie Or a Sandwich?
Pizza is a dish that typically consists of a yeasted flatbread crust topped with tomato sauce, cheese and various toppings. The word pizza was first documented in the 10th century in a Latin manuscript from Gaeta in Central Italy. The modern pizza was invented in Naples, Italy, and the dish and its variants have since become popular in many countries.
Pizza is considered both a pie and a sandwich. Pie refers to the fact that it is baked in a pan with raised sides (like a pie plate or cake pan), while sandwich refers to the toppings between the crusts (usually two).
Is Pizza Classified As a Sandwich?
Pizza is not classified as a sandwich. A sandwich must have two slices of bread with filling in between. Pizza has a crust and toppings, but no bread slice in the middle.
What Classifies As Pizza?
Pizza is a savory dish of Italian origin, typically consisting of a base of flattened bread dough topped with tomatoes, cheese, and various other ingredients. The word “pizza” was first documented in the 10th century in Gaeta and later spread to other parts of Italy. Pizza became popular in America after immigrants from Italy introduced the dish to the New World in the late 19th century.
The term “pizza” derives from the Latin word pīca, meaning “pie” or “cake”. It is believed that pizza originated in Naples during the 18th or early 19th century. Although there is no concrete evidence to support this claim, it is supported by several theories.
One theory suggests that pizza was invented by bakers who needed to use up leftover dough and toppings. Another theory attributes its origins to Raffaele Esposito, a Neapolitan pizzamaker who created a pizza featuring the colors of the Italian flag (red tomatoes, white mozzarella cheese, and green basil) to honor Queen Margherita Teresa Giovanni of Savoy following her visit to Naples in 1889. Pizza comes in many different shapes and sizes, but most traditional pizzas are round with a diameter between 8 and 12 inches (20-30 cm).
The thickness of the crust varies depending on style: thin crust pizzas have a very thin layer of dough while thick crust pizzas have a thicker layer that is often twice as thick as thin crust pies. Pizzas can also be made with different types of flour; some recipes call for whole wheat or semolina flour while others use all-purpose flour. Toppings are typically placed on top of tomato sauce and can include anything from vegetables like mushrooms and onions to meats like pepperoni or sausage.
Cheese is also a common topping, with mozzarella being the most popular type used on pizza. Other common toppings include olives, peppers, anchovies, and pineapple.
Is a Pie Considered a Sandwich?
No, a pie is not considered a sandwich. A sandwich is defined as “a dish consisting of two or more slices of bread with meat, cheese, or other filling between them”, while a pie is typically defined as “a baked dish made of a pastry crust and filled with fruit, meat, pudding, etc.”. While there are some pies that could be argued to fit the definition of a sandwich (e.g. savory pies with fillings like chicken potpie), generally speaking, pies are not considered sandwiches.
Food Theory: What Makes a Sandwich a Sandwich?
Why is Pizza Not a Sandwich
In the United States, pizza is typically considered its own food category, separate from sandwiches. There are a few reasons for this classification. For one, pizza is usually cooked in a oven or stovetop, while sandwiches are typically made with bread that’s been grilled or toasted.
Pizza also generally has a thicker crust than most sandwiches. Finally, pizza is often served with utensils like forks and knives, while sandwiches can be eaten with your hands.
So why isn’t pizza considered a sandwich?
It really comes down to these key differences in ingredients and preparation. Pizza may have some similarities to sandwiches, but it ultimately stands on its own as a unique food.
Conclusion
The debate over whether pizza should be classified as a sandwich or a pie has been going on for years. Some people believe that pizza is a sandwich because it has all of the components of a sandwich, including bread, cheese, and toppings. Others believe that pizza is a pie because it is made with dough and typically has a sauce and cheese on top.
So, which is it?
It turns out that there is no right answer to this question. It really depends on how you define a sandwich or a pie.
If you consider anything with bread and filling to be a sandwich, then pizza would definitely qualify. However, if you think of pies as being made with dough and having a crust, then pizza would not be considered a pie.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter what you call pizza.
It’s still delicious no matter what!