LaRosa's pizza is the Cincinnati regional style: square-cut pie with a thin crust and a sweet tomato sauce, finished with a blanket of provolone over Italian sausage or pepperoni.

Buddy LaRosa opened the first LaRosa's Pizzeria on Boudinot Avenue in Westwood in 1954, using his aunt Dena's secret pizza sauce recipe. The square-cut, sweet-sauced regional style differs from New York thin or Detroit deep, becoming the defining Cincinnati pizza. The chain now has more than 60 locations across the metro and the original Boudinot Avenue store still operates.

Where to eat LaRosa's square pizza in Cincinnati

2 editor picks for LaRosa's square pizza in Cincinnati, ranked by editorial score. All Cincinnati signature dishes · LaRosa's square pizza across every city.

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Make it at home

Serves 123 hrIntermediate

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm water (around 105F)
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • 2 1/2 cups (315g) bread flour
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 can (15oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Pinch ground fennel seed
  • 2 cups shredded provolone cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded mild mozzarella
  • Italian sausage or pepperoni to top

Method

  1. Bloom the yeast in warm water with sugar for 5 minutes. Combine the flour and salt, then add the yeast mixture and oil. Knead 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Rise covered until doubled, about 90 minutes.
  2. Make the sauce: simmer the tomatoes with the sugar, oregano, garlic powder and fennel for 20 minutes. The sweetness is the regional Cincinnati signature.
  3. Preheat the oven and a pizza stone to 500F (260C).
  4. Roll the dough into a 12-inch round, transfer to parchment, and top with a thin layer of sauce.
  5. Add the provolone and mozzarella, then scatter the sausage or pepperoni over the cheese.
  6. Slide onto the stone and bake 10 to 12 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling and lightly browned.
  7. Let cool 2 minutes, then cut into squares (not triangles).

Editor tip. Provolone over mozzarella matters. The provolone gives the regional Cincinnati LaRosa's pizza its distinctive sharper, sweeter cheese profile.

Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy.