On September 5, the U.S. celebrates National Cheese Pizza Day—an unofficial culinary holiday honoring one of the simplest versions of this beloved dish. In 2026, it falls on a Saturday, so it will be a particularly good excuse to enjoy a slice of hot pizza. The exact origins of this day are unknown, but cheese pizza itself has a much longer history, which began in Italy and later continued in the United States.
National Cheese Pizza Day in the U.S. is celebrated annually on September 5. It is not a public holiday or an official commemorative date, but rather a popular culinary occasion to celebrate ordinary cheese pizza. In 2026, Cheese Pizza Day falls on Saturday, September 5. It is sometimes called National Cheese Pizza Day. The idea is as simple as it gets: on this day, people are encouraged to set aside complicated toppings and appreciate just how delicious pizza can be with just dough, tomato sauce, and cheese.
However, don’t confuse it with National Pizza Day, which is celebrated in the U.S. on February 9. In September, the focus is specifically on cheese pizza.
Where Did National Cheese Pizza Day Come From?
Unlike many official dates, National Cheese Pizza Day has no known creator or organization that could unequivocally claim to have founded it. The exact origin of the holiday is not documented. Researchers of American food-related holidays have found references to National Cheese Pizza Day in the American press as early as the 1990s. In particular, one of the oldest known digital references dates back to September 2, 1996. An article in the Wisconsin State Journal reminded readers about National Cheese Pizza Day, which was to take place on September 5. There are also references to this holiday in American publications from the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Later, such food-themed days began to spread widely online. One of the people who popularized calendars of unusual food holidays in the U.S. was food blogger John-Brian Hopkins. His website, Foodimentary, compiled a large number of such dates. However, there is insufficient evidence to name him specifically as the creator of Cheese Pizza Day. Therefore, it is more accurate to say that the origin of the holiday remains unknown.
Why Do We Celebrate Cheese Pizza?
Cheese pizza seems very simple. It usually doesn’t include five kinds of meat, a dozen vegetables, or complex sauces—just the crust, tomato sauce, cheese, and spices. But it is precisely this simplicity that allows you to truly savor the taste of the pizza itself. When there aren’t many toppings, the quality of the dough, sauce, and cheese becomes crucial. Mozzarella is most commonly used for this type of pizza. It melts well, forms a characteristic golden crust, and has a mild flavor that doesn’t overpower the tomato sauce.
That said, there are no strict rules regarding cheese. For homemade pizza, you can use cheddar, provolone, Gouda, Parmesan, feta, or goat cheese. You can even mix several types of cheese. That’s why Cheese Pizza Day isn’t necessarily just a celebration of classic mozzarella pizza. The main idea is to make cheese the main topping and not overload the dish with other ingredients.
The history of pizza goes back much further
Although modern pizza took shape in Italy, the roots of similar dishes go back much further. In various ancient cultures, people ate flatbreads with toppings. They might have added oil, herbs, cheese, and other ingredients. These dishes weren’t yet pizza in the modern sense, but they resembled it in terms of preparation. Modern pizza began to take shape primarily in Naples. There, flatbread gradually evolved into the dish known around the world today.
At first, pizza was a dish for ordinary people. It was relatively inexpensive, quick to prepare, and well-suited for those who could not afford to spend a lot of money on food. The tomato did not immediately become an integral part of pizza. Tomatoes arrived in Europe after the discovery of the Americas, but Europeans were initially skeptical of them. Eventually, tomatoes became popular in Italian cuisine, and the combination of dough, tomato sauce, and cheese became one of the main symbols of pizza.
And how did the “Margherita” come about?
One of the most famous cheese pizzas is the “Margherita.” According to a popular legend, in 1889, the Neapolitan pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito made a pizza for Queen Margherita of Savoy. It was topped with tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
The three colors of the toppings resembled those of the Italian flag—red, white, and green. The pizza was supposedly named in honor of the queen. The story of the royal visit became very well known, although researchers of pizza history note that there are many legends and controversies surrounding the origins of the “Margherita.” In any case, it was the combination of tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil that became one of the most famous variations of Neapolitan pizza.
How Pizza Conquered the U.S.
Pizza made its way to the United States along with Italian immigrants. In the early 20th century, it was sold in the Italian neighborhoods of American cities. One of the most famous early pizzerias was Lombardi’s in New York City, which began selling pizza in 1905. At the same time, researchers of American pizza history have found evidence that other vendors may have been operating even earlier. At first, pizza remained primarily a dish of Italian communities. But gradually, it began to spread far beyond the neighborhoods where immigrants lived.
Pizza’s popularity grew particularly rapidly after World War II. American soldiers who had been stationed in Italy were introduced to the dish and brought their love for it back home. As a result, new pizzerias began opening in American cities. Pizza ceased to be exclusively an Italian food and became part of American culture. Today, there are dozens of different pizza styles in the U.S.—from thin-crust New York-style to deep-dish Chicago-style. But a simple cheese pizza remains the classic choice, and it’s often the first pizza people try at many pizzerias.
How Cheese Pizza Day Is Celebrated
Since this is an unofficial holiday, there are no strict rules for celebrating it. The easiest way to celebrate is to order a cheese pizza from your favorite pizzeria. Some people opt for the classic mozzarella version, while others use the day as an excuse to try a pizza with a new type of cheese.
Another popular option is to make pizza at home. All you need is dough, tomato sauce, cheese, and an oven. You can keep the toppings as simple as possible or experiment with different types of cheese. In the U.S., pizzerias may offer special discounts and promotions on this day. Restaurants also use the date to promote cheese pizza on social media.
Another tradition that has developed around these unofficial food days is taking photos of food and sharing them on social media. People use the hashtag #NationalCheesePizzaDay for this.
What Kind of Pizza Can You Make?
You don’t need to buy many ingredients for a classic cheese pizza. You can use regular yeast dough as the base. Roll it out or stretch it by hand, add a thin layer of tomato sauce, and sprinkle generously with cheese. The simplest option is mozzarella. But you can also make a blend of two or three cheeses.
For example, mozzarella provides softness and a nice melt, Parmesan adds a richer flavor, and Provolone or Gouda can make the topping more aromatic. The main thing is not to overdo it with the sauce. If there’s too much, the dough might end up soggy, and the cheese won’t get that signature golden crust. For a richer flavor, you can add oregano, basil, garlic, or a little olive oil.
Fun Facts About Pizza
National Cheese Pizza Day is not an official U.S. holiday. It’s an unofficial culinary observance that gained popularity thanks to the media, holiday calendars, and restaurants.
The exact originator of the holiday is unknown. There are theories about its origins, but there is no confirmed information about a specific person who created Cheese Pizza Day.
References to the holiday date back to at least 1996. One of the oldest known mentions in the press dates to September 1996.
In 2026, the holiday falls on a Saturday. So this year, it falls on a weekend—September 5.
Neapolitan pizza holds a special status in Europe. Pizza Napoletana is included in the EU’s list of traditional specialties guaranteed by law, and the name “Neapolitan” is protected in Europe by regulations governing its preparation.
Cheese pizza doesn’t have to be just mozzarella. For a homemade version, you can use various cheeses or combinations of them, so even a simple pizza can have dozens of different flavor variations.
Why September 6 Is Sometimes Mentioned
In some older publications and calendars, you may see September 6 listed as Cheese Pizza Day. This is because early references to this unofficial holiday cited various dates. For example, researchers have found an early online mention from 2011 that lists September 6. However, in modern American calendars, the date is consistently listed as September 5.
Therefore, for an article about 2026, it is correct to use September 5, 2026. In short, National Cheese Pizza Day is an unofficial American occasion to set aside elaborate toppings for a day and revisit the classic. The holiday has no known founder but has existed in the American cultural landscape for at least several decades. And on September 5, 2026, American pizza lovers will once again have a simple excuse to order or make a hot cheese pizza—with mozzarella, tomato sauce, and a crispy crust.
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