Old Forge-style pizza

A tray-baked style specific to Old Forge, Pennsylvania (which markets itself as the self-declared 'Pizza Capital of the World'), typically baked in large trays and sold as a 'tray' or 'half tray' rather than by individual slice, often featuring a distinctive blend of cheeses beyond mozzarella alone.

• Sold by the tray or half-tray rather than by individual slice
• Often uses a blend including American or other cheeses alongside mozzarella
• Rectangular, moderately thick crust similar in spirit to other tray pizzas but with its own distinct local identity

Hydration

60–70% (typically 65%)

Salt

2–2.5% (typically 2.2%)

Oil

3–6% (typically 4%)

Bulk fermentation

2–4 h (typically 3 h)

Mixing: Machine mixed

Kneading: Moderate kneading

Shaping: Pressed by hand into an oiled rectangular tray

Expected crumb: Moderately open, bread-like

Tolerance: A forgiving dough similar in handling to other American tray styles

Calculate this dough with the dough calculator →

• Bread flourCommonly usedLimited evidence

  Gives the pressed tray dough enough structure to hold its shape and support the style's characteristic double-pie serving.

1. Press dough into an oiled tray
2. Apply sauce and cheese blend
3. Add toppings
4. Bake
5. Cut into squares for tray service

Traditional method: Rectangular tray, commercial or domestic oven, moderate-high heat

• Rolling pin shapingCommonly usedLimited evidence

  Fills the rectangular tray evenly for the style's characteristic paired-slice serving.

  Domestic alternative: Hand-pressing directly into the tray.

A moderately thick, bread-like tray crust with a distinctive local cheese-blend flavour

Sold and served by the tray or half-tray

Cut into squares · A tray or half-tray serves a group

Derived from this style’s own structural ingredient data — see the construction order & topping load guide for why order varies by style.

1. Sauce: Cooked tomato sauce
2. Melting cheese: Low-moisture mozzarella, Cheddar

Straightforward at home with a standard tray, scaled to a manageable home batch size