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America's Melting Pot
Quad Cities Pizza hero image coming soon
1945-2000 - Italian-American immigrant communities in the Quad Cities area.
Quad Cities Pizza is a distinctive American pizza style from the Mississippi River's Quad Cities area, known for its thick crust, sweet tomato sauce, and unique blend of cheeses. Rooted in Italian-American traditions, this regional pizza reflects local tastes and longstanding community pride.
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Difficulty
Medium
Prep time
2 hours (including dough rising)
Cook time
15-20 minutes
Total time
2 hours 20 minutes
Servings
6 servings
Region
Rock Island and Moline, Illinois; Davenport, Iowa
Era introduced
1945-2000
Introduced by
Italian-American immigrant communities in the Quad Cities area.
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The Quad Cities region spanning Illinois and Iowa developed a unique pizza style combining Italian-American pizza making with Midwestern influences. Characterized by a thick, tender crust, a distinctly sweet tomato sauce, and cheeses like Provel or cheddar blended in addition to mozzarella, this pizza holds a special place in local community culture. Often served at family gatherings and local pizzerias, Quad Cities Pizza reflects the melding of immigrant traditions and regional preferences that shape American regional foods.
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