Traditional Cuban Pizza (Miami-Style Pizza Cubana)

Mi gente, I’m SO excited to share this Cuban-style pizza recipe with you. No, this isn’t a Cuban sandwich turned into a pizza. We’re talking traditional Italian flavors with a Cuban twist!

What makes this Miami-style Cuban pizza different from regular pizza? I’m glad you asked.

Unlike the thin, crispy crusts and the traditional toppings we’re used to, authentic Cuban pizzas have a thick crust, slightly sweet flavor, and rich, creamy gouda cheese (which I also use in my stovetop mac & cheese recipe).

This pizza is unique and delicious, not like anything you’ve tried at a classic pizza shop! While the pizza topping possibilities are endless, this chorizo onion version is my favorite.

Let me show you how to make it.

Wait! Do you want to make a cheesy snack for dessert? Make my Pastelitos de Queso!

Making Homemade Pizza Dough

Ok, first things first, let’s make the homemade pizza dough.

Making traditional Cuban pizza dough at home is a straightforward process. This is a simple dough recipe but it’s rolled out thicker than typical pizzas. It has a bit more yeast than regular pizza dough which results in more rise and a thicker texture.

In a large measuring cup, add water, active dry yeast, and sugar. Stir and allow it to sit for 10 minutes at room temperature until it gets foamy.

In a large bowl, add flour, salt, olive oil, and foamy yeast mixture.

Knead the dough using your hands or a stand mixer with a dough hook for 5-10 minutes.

Place the dough ball in a greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest/rise for 1 hour.

Transfer the dough to a floured surface, and evenly divide the dough into 4 parts.

Lightly grease four 9-inch pie plates with olive oil. Press the dough down onto each pie plate until it reaches the edges of the plate.

Making Homemade Pizza Sauce

Traditional Cuban pizzas have a slightly sweet flavor from the brown sugar added to the sauce. It’s the perfect balance between savory and sweet!

If you’re using a storebought pizza sauce like Rao’s pizza sauce, you can mix 1/2 tablespoon of brown sugar for every 1 cup of sauce used.

The Vita Nuova sauce (which is the one traditionally used to make Cuban pizza) already has brown sugar so no need to add more sugar to that storebought sauce.

To make a homemade pizza sauce, you’ll want to simmer a blend of tomatoes (I like using San Marzano peeled tomatoes), onions, garlic, and a hint of brown sugar until you get a rich and flavorful base for your toppings. It’s easy!

Bell peppers, onions, garlic, tomatoes, brown sugar, salt, smoked paprika, dried oregano, black pepper, and bay leaf.

Heat oil and sauté bell peppers, onions, and garlic for 3-4 minutes then add remaining ingredients.

Bring to a boil, uncovered, then reduce heat. Simmer for about 25-30 minutes then blend until completely liquid.

Assembling The Pizzas

Now comes the fun part! Once the pizza dough is ready and the sauce is cooked, it’s time to assemble the pizzas.

Unlike traditional pizzas where the crust is visible around the edges, Cuban pizzas have a different approach where the sauce and cheese are spread all the way to the edges of the pan, completely covering the crust.

Trust me, those crispy burnt edges of cheese are a good thing!

Pizza Topping Ideas

Now when it comes to toppings, you could always do classic cheese pizza with a blend of gouda and mozzarella cheese.

Cuban pizzas are traditionally made with gouda, which is richer and sweeter, while mozzarella is milder and slightly tangy.

Both melt well, but gouda tends to be creamier compared to gooey, stretchy mozzarella. It’s a completely different flavor than what you’re used to but it’s delicious!

You can also mix and match from the toppings listed below:

gouda cheese
mozzarella cheese
pork chorizo
slices onions
diced ham
cooked shrimp
beef picadillo
leftover roast pork (lechon!)
chopped sweet plantains (Goya has them in the freezer section!)
sliced green bell peppers
sliced red bell peppers
diced or sliced tomatoes
sliced green olives

For this recipe, I made my pizzas with gouda, mozzarella, pork chorizo, and sliced onions. The chorizo & onions Cuban pizza is my go-to when I order it at a Cuban restaurant here in Miami.

I used pork chorizo with onions, gouda, and mozzarella cheese.

Spoon the pizza sauce over the dough and spread using the back of a spoon to the edges of the plate.

Sprinkle a thin layer of cheese over the sauce on the edges of the plate.

Add the ground chorizo to your liking and sliced onions.

Cover the toppings with more cheese on top.

Slide a butter knife around the edges of the pie plate to separate the pizza from the edge. Transfer to a plate. Look at that deliciously thick crust!

Make Ahead Instructions

If you’d like to prep these pizzas ahead of time, you can make the homemade pizza dough and the pizza sauce a few days before.

For the pizza dough: Follow the recipe as listed. After it rises, punch down the dough and place it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

For the pizza sauce: Follow the recipe as listed and allow it to cool. Transfer the sauce to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

When you’re ready to make the pizza, let the dough and pizza sauce come to room temperature which usually takes about 30-40 minutes. This way the dough will be easier to roll out and the sauce will be ready to go.

Fun Fact: Traditionally, Cuban pizzas are folded in half, like a taco, and enjoyed on the go. Thanks to that thicker, softer crust, it’s easier to handle and all the toppings stay intact!

Serving Suggestions

This recipe makes 4 personal pan pizzas (shout out, Pizza Hut!).

You can do 2 cheese pizzas and 2 chorizo with onions. You can also do 1 cheese and the other 3 with toppings from the list above. Or… you can even host a pizza party and everyone can make their own version. The possibilities are endless.

I personally love serving these pizzas with my juicy mojo chicken wings and my pastelitos de guayaba for dessert. Can’t get any better than that!

Storage Tips

If you have any leftover pizza, you can store it in an airtight container or wrap each slice individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap. This prevents the pizza from drying out.

Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you want to keep the pizza for longer, place them in a freezer-safe bag. Frozen pizza should last up to 2 months.

To reheat, place the pizza in the oven at 375°F for 8-10 minutes. You can also reheat pizza in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 350ºF. Avoid using the microwave as it can make the crust chewy, not crispy.