Steel Spotlight: Mike “Pugs” Pugliese
Pizza has always been personal for Matt Pugliese (aka @pugs_pizza), but this one goes straight back to family. He’s baked hundreds of pies in every style imaginable the Grandma pie recently took center stage, and for good reason.
“Food has always been a passion of mine, but I’ll always remember making pizza with my grandma. Over the last year or so, the Grandma (GMA) pie has become that one pizza for me. It checks all the boxes a perfect cheese pull, a solid golden-brown bottom, thin and crispy yet with a sturdy crust, and of course, sauce on top to bring it all home.”
A Grandma Pie Worth Talking About
For this bake, Matt starts with his 16" NY-style dough a recipe years in the making and builds a 12" square Grandma on a 450 g dough ball.
The Ingredients That Make It Sing
- Dough: 60/40 blend of 00 flour and bread flour
- Cheese: Deli-sliced mozzarella as the base
- Sauce: Stanislaus Tomato Magic layered on top
- Finish: Fresh basil and a snowfall of Parmigiano Reggiano
The result: a balanced bite crispy bottom, airy edge, gooey cheese, and bright, on-top sauce.
How He Bakes It
Matt bakes in a home oven on a Baking Steel PRO to get quick, even heat and that signature Grandma-pie crunch. Simple tools, careful prep, big payoff.
Quick Hits ⚡️
- Favorite quote: “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.”
- If I won the lottery: “An island.” 🏝️
- Favorite market: “Anywhere with fresh bread.” 🥖
- Dream pizza shop name: “Pugz Pizza.” 🍕
- Random daily habit: “Cold plunge.” ❄️
- Favorite book: Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain 📖
Join the Spotlight
Want to be featured in our next Steel Spotlight? Tag @bakingsteel and use #BakingSteel to show us what you’re making.