Don’t cry for me margherita! Pepperoni topples cheese and tomato as our favourite pizza topping
- BBQ chicken is the second most popular pizza topping in the UK after pepperoni
- The spicy American sausage was the top choice with 30 per cent of UK voters
- Ham and pineapple was fourth followed by meatball and then quattro formaggio
Whether it’s a fancy stuffed crust or a simple thin base, pizza is one of the nation’s best-loved meals.
But it seems these days we prefer things spicy – as pepperoni has overtaken the classic margherita as our favourite topping, a poll has found.
The simple Neapolitan dish – made with tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil – was knocked down to third place, with BBQ chicken the second most popular.
Those surveyed in the poll were given a list of types of pizza and could choose multiple options.
Pepperoni has overtaken the classic margherita as our favourite topping, a poll has found
The spicy American sausage was the top choice with 30 per cent of voters.
The margherita, chosen by 23 per cent, was first created by Neapolitan pizza maker Raffaele Esposito in 1889 to honour the Queen of Italy, Margherita of Savoy.
The dish is traditionally garnished with San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil to represent the colours of the Italian flag.
The modern pizza became popular in the 18th century and is thought to have evolved from flatbreads in Naples.
In fourth place was the classic Hawaiian of ham and pineapple, followed by meatball, then the quattro formaggio, or four cheeses.
Other popular toppings included prosciutto as well as spinach and egg, known as a fiorentina.
When it comes to how we like our pizza base, 40 per cent appreciate a cheese-stuffed crust, with the traditional stone-baked, thin base the second most popular.
The survey by Goodfella’s Pizza found 19 per cent enjoy a Chicago-style deep dish pizza and 14 per cent like a sourdough base.
But the nation appears divided over what to add to it, with a quarter of those polled saying that putting pineapple on pizza is a crime.
Nearly one in ten of the 2,000 Britons surveyed said toppings such as chicken tikka or BBQ chicken are just wrong.
While some 26 per cent said it is acceptable to eat leftover cold pizza for breakfast.
A spokesman for Goodfella’s Pizza said: ‘Our research indicates that the perfect pizza continues to be an important area of discussion for Brits.’