10 Cheese Pizzas So Good You’ll Forget the Toppings

Toppings may steal the spotlight, but a truly great cheese pizza doesn’t need the extras. When done right, the simple combination of dough, sauce, and cheese can be pure perfection. Whether it’s the melty mozzarella, the tang of the tomato sauce, or the golden, bubbly crust, these pies prove that less is more. In fact, some of the best pizzas in America ditch the toppings and let the cheese do all the talking. From New York-style slices to Neapolitan masterpieces, this list features 10 cheese pizzas so good you’ll forget the toppings even exist.

These cheesy creations come from legendary pizzerias and hidden gems alike, and each one showcases how flavor and texture shine without distractions. If you’re a purist or just craving that classic pizza experience, this roundup is your ultimate guide. Grab a napkin—because this is cheese pizza bliss you don’t want to miss.

1. Joe’s Pizza – New York City, NY

Joe’s Pizza in NYC proves you don’t need toppings to make a pizza unforgettable. Their classic cheese slice is a staple in Manhattan, featuring a thin, foldable crust that’s crisp at the edge and slightly chewy throughout. The tomato sauce is tangy and slightly sweet, striking the perfect balance with the bubbly layer of mozzarella cheese. What sets Joe’s apart is its simplicity: every ingredient is fresh, and the dough is made daily to ensure consistency and flavor.

The cheese is perfectly melted with golden-brown spots that give each bite a delightful stretch and saltiness. With every slice, you get the perfect ratio of sauce, cheese, and crust. There are no gimmicks here—just an expertly made cheese pizza that holds its own against any heavily topped competitor. It’s the kind of pie that makes you wonder why you ever ordered pepperoni. One bite and you’ll understand why this slice is legendary.

2. Patsy’s Pizzeria – East Harlem, NY

Patsy’s in East Harlem is a legendary name in coal-oven pizza, and their cheese pizza is a masterclass in classic New York flavor. The crust is ultra-thin with charred edges and just enough bite to give it character. Their sauce is light and evenly spread, made with San Marzano tomatoes that offer a hint of natural sweetness. The mozzarella cheese melts into a perfect blanket that browns just slightly on top, releasing savory, nutty flavors as it bakes.

The high-temperature oven gives the pizza a crisp bottom without drying it out, so every bite is hot, cheesy, and satisfying. What really shines here is the restraint and balance. There’s no overload—just honest, top-quality ingredients working together in harmony. You don’t need basil, sausage, or mushrooms to make this pizza sing. It’s proof that when done right, a cheese pizza can be complex, bold, and entirely unforgettable. This is purist pizza perfection.

3. Lucali – Brooklyn, NY

Lucali in Carroll Gardens is often mentioned among NYC’s best, and for good reason—their cheese pizza is a flawless blend of tradition and refinement. Each pie is hand-rolled by candlelight and baked in a wood-fired oven, creating a rustic crust that’s charred, airy, and crispy in all the right places. The tomato sauce is bright, lightly seasoned, and made from the freshest ingredients, letting the natural sweetness of the tomatoes shine through.

The mozzarella, combined with a bit of aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, provides a silky, rich texture and a depth of flavor that’s hard to forget. There’s no menu at Lucali—just pizza and calzones—and the simplicity of the cheese pie is where their skill truly shows. Topped with a drizzle of olive oil and a few basil leaves, each slice is a celebration of flavor and technique. It’s not just a meal—it’s an experience that transforms how you view cheese pizza.

4. Pizzeria Bianco – Phoenix, AZ

Pizzeria Bianco has earned national acclaim for good reason. Their cheese pizza, often called the “Margherita,” is simplicity at its peak. Owner Chris Bianco uses house-milled flour for the dough, creating a crust that’s chewy inside and blistered on the outside, thanks to their wood-fired oven. The sauce is made from organic tomatoes grown in California, seasoned just enough to enhance their natural sweetness. What really elevates this pie is the fresh mozzarella—soft, creamy, and slightly tangy—and the drizzle of olive oil that brings out richness in every bite.

Each pizza is made to order and served fresh out of the oven, piping hot and aromatic. No fancy toppings are necessary here. The texture and flavor combinations are so well-balanced that you’ll savor every bite, wishing the slices were bigger. It’s no wonder this place is on every foodie’s bucket list. This cheese pizza is excellence wrapped in crust and love.

5. Del Popolo – San Francisco, CA

Del Popolo in San Francisco started as a pizza truck and quickly gained fame for its incredible Neapolitan-style pies. Their cheese pizza is a beautiful example of less being more. The dough is naturally leavened and allowed to ferment for days, resulting in a crust that’s soft, chewy, and blistered in all the right places. Topped with a simple tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella, the pie is baked in a wood-fired oven that adds a smoky depth and slight char to the edges.

The cheese is high-quality and creamy, creating perfect strings with every pull. You don’t need any additional toppings because the ingredients themselves shine. A light drizzle of olive oil and a few fresh basil leaves add the final touches. It’s satisfying without being heavy, and flavorful without being overloaded. This is the kind of cheese pizza that redefines what you expect from a slice—and you won’t miss the toppings.

6. Una Pizza Napoletana – New York City, NY

Una Pizza Napoletana by Anthony Mangieri is widely hailed as one of the finest pizzerias in America—and it only serves Neapolitan-style pies. The signature cheese pizza, essentially a Margherita, is pure simplicity done to perfection. It features a naturally leavened dough that’s soft, chewy, and leopard-spotted from a blisteringly hot wood-fired oven. The sauce is minimal but flavorful, made from imported San Marzano tomatoes that provide bright acidity and depth.

Fresh mozzarella di bufala melts into a luscious pool over the crust, creating creamy richness that plays beautifully against the tart tomato base. A sprinkle of sea salt, a swirl of extra virgin olive oil, and fresh basil complete this minimalist masterpiece. What makes this cheese pizza special is the obsessive attention to ingredients and technique. Each pie is handcrafted with passion and patience, making it more of an experience than a meal. No meat or veggie topping could improve this pizza.

7. Motorino – New York City, NY

Motorino in NYC serves up some of the best wood-fired pizzas you’ll ever taste, and their cheese pie is proof that great pizza doesn’t need bells and whistles. The crust is soft with a gentle crunch, blistered at the edges thanks to the ultra-hot oven. Their tomato sauce is clean, acidic, and slightly sweet, perfectly complementing the fresh mozzarella. The cheese melts to a gooey, luxurious texture, with a few golden bubbles adding just the right touch of toasted flavor. What elevates Motorino’s cheese pizza is the balance of elements.

No component overpowers the other—it’s a well-calibrated bite every time. Add a drizzle of their house olive oil and a pinch of sea salt, and it reaches a level of flavor that makes toppings feel unnecessary. This pizza isn’t just about eating—it’s about savoring. If you’re someone who usually overloads your pizza, one slice of this will change your mind forever.

8. Regina Pizzeria – Boston, MA

Since 1926, Regina Pizzeria in Boston’s North End has been slinging iconic brick-oven pizzas, and their cheese pizza remains a timeless favorite. The crust is chewy and crisp, with a deep, satisfying flavor from nearly a century of seasoned brick ovens. Regina’s sauce is rich, tomato-forward, and perfectly seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices that gives it depth and character. The mozzarella cheese is generously applied, melted to bubbly perfection, with a slight golden hue on top.

There’s a comforting, old-school charm to every slice—something that speaks to tradition and authenticity. It’s a hearty pizza, slightly greasy in the best way, and full of flavor with each bite. While you can customize your pie with dozens of toppings, you truly don’t need to. The cheese pizza here is as satisfying and complete as any loaded version. For fans of classic East Coast pizza, Regina’s cheese pie is a nostalgic must-try.

9. Sotto – Los Angeles, CA

Sotto brings authentic southern Italian pizza to the West Coast, and their cheese pizza (a classic Margherita) is simply sublime. Made in a traditional wood-fired oven imported from Naples, the crust has a beautiful puff with a soft, airy interior and a charred, smoky exterior. Their tomato sauce is made from imported tomatoes and layered sparingly to keep the base light and fresh. The fresh mozzarella is velvety and melts just enough to cover the pie without overwhelming it.

It’s topped with a few fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil for aroma and richness. What makes this cheese pizza outstanding is the harmony of ingredients—each bite has just the right mix of creamy, tangy, and savory. It’s a pizza that focuses on fundamentals and nails them completely. Eating it feels like dining in a Neapolitan piazza, and you won’t miss toppings because everything you need is already here.

10. Lombardi’s Pizza – New York City, NY

As America’s first pizzeria, Lombardi’s has a legacy that spans more than a century, and their cheese pizza continues to uphold their legendary status. Baked in a coal-fired oven, the crust emerges with a dark, crispy bottom and chewy interior. The flavor is deep and smoky, making it the perfect canvas for their house-made tomato sauce and whole-milk mozzarella. The sauce is slightly sweet with a touch of garlic and oregano, bringing out the best in the cheese.

The mozzarella bubbles and browns across the pie, creating the signature caramelized bits that cheese-lovers dream about. No extra toppings are needed—this pizza tells a full story with its base ingredients alone. Each slice has just the right amount of stretch, crunch, and melt. Lombardi’s proves that when a pizza is built on tradition, passion, and premium ingredients, cheese is all you need. It’s not just historic—it’s delicious enough to make you forget everything else.

Bottom Line

Cheese pizza is a timeless favorite that proves simplicity can be extraordinary. The 10 selections featured in this post celebrate crust, sauce, and cheese in perfect harmony—no toppings required. Whether it’s stretchy mozzarella or a blend of gourmet cheeses, these pizzas are packed with bold, comforting flavor. Ideal for both pizza purists and curious foodies, each slice is a reminder that the basics, when done right, can be unbeatable. So next time you think you need extra toppings for excitement, think again. These cheese pizzas deliver satisfaction in every delicious, melty bite.

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