| Minnesota–style pizza | |
| Country: | United States |
| Region: | Minnesota |
| Course: | Main course |
| Type: | Pizza |
| Main Ingredient: | Unleavened pizza dough, typically spicy tomato sauce, mozzarella, hearty toppings |
Minnesota-style pizza (also known as Sota-style pizza)[1] is a circular thin-crust pizza, cut into squares, with spicy sauce, and hearty toppings. Red's Savoy Pizza, a local Minnesota pizza chain which invented the pizza and is a Minnesota-style specialty pizzeria, calls Minnesota-style pizza "'Sota-style".[2]
During the 1950s and 60s, several pizzerias in Minnesota began selling flat crust pizzas cut into squares. These early pizzerias included Red's Savoy Inn and Mama's Pizza in Saint Paul, Broadway Pizza in Minneapolis, and possibly the earliest version, Sammy's Pizza in Hibbing which opened in 1954. These pizzas are similar to Chicago tavern-style pizza and may have been inspired by the pizza in that city.[3] Minnesota-style pizza is generally heavier on the cheese and toppings than the version eaten in Chicago.
Red's Savoy Inn later became a franchise which helped to spread and popularize Minnesota-style pizza. In 2017 Red's Savoy pizza re-branded itself to become a Sota-style specialty pizzeria.[4] Carbones, a pizza chain, also sells Minnesota-style pizza in the Twin Cities area.[5]
Minnesota-style pizza has several defining characteristics that put it apart from other pizza styles.
The crust of the pizza must be thin with little or no leavening. It must also be cut into squares, this is usually done precisely to keep the squares the same shape.[6] The cutting of the pizza into squares, which is also known as "party cut" or "tavern-style" cut pizza, is one of the most important and defining characteristics of Minnesota-style pizza. The crust is thin but not cracker-like, it has a similar hardness to New York–style pizza.
The sauce of the pizza is another very important characteristic. The secret sauce used by Red's Savoy is typically used, it is described as "passive-aggressive", sweet, savory, and it is also known to have a slight kick. Other pizzerias and homemade pizzas use marinara sauce with crushed up hot peppers.
The cheese always has to go on the pizza after the sauce and other toppings. Mozzarella is typically used but other varieties such as cheddar, and Parmesan can also be used. Minnesota-style also uses more cheese than other regional styles. Extra salt is added to Minnesota-style, especially in bars so that customers will purchase more beverages. The pizza is loaded with hearty toppings, especially meats like sausage, ham, Italian sausage, and pepperoni, onions can also be added.