Pizza is one of the most popular foods around the world. The margherita is a simple, classic pizza topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil. It’s a delicious choice, but many people wonder just how many calories are in a slice of pizza margherita.
When looking at the calorie content of pizza margherita, there are a few factors to consider:
- The size of the slice – Bigger slices contain more calories
- The thickness and density of the crust – Thicker, denser crusts tend to be higher in calories
- The type and amount of cheese – More cheese means more calories
- Any additional toppings beyond the basic margherita ingredients
- Where the pizza is purchased – Homemade, delivery, frozen, and restaurant pizza can all vary in calorie content
With all of these variables, the number of calories per slice of margherita pizza can range quite a bit. Let’s take a more in-depth look at estimated calorie counts for different types and sizes of pizza margherita.
Calories in a Small Slice of Margherita Pizza
A small slice of pizza margherita purchased from a restaurant or pizzeria will likely contain around 220-320 calories. This estimated calorie range is based on a slice that weighs around 3.5 ounces (100 grams) and has a thin, medium density crust with about 1/4 cup (around 60 grams) of mozzarella cheese. Smaller personal pan pizzas or portions may fall on the lower end of this range.
For example, a single 7-inch personal pan pizza margherita from a national pizza chain contains around 220 calories per 1/4 pizza slice. A small slice from a local pizzeria may land closer to 300 calories for a crispy thin crust version with light cheese.
So in general, a small 3-4 ounce slice of margherita pizza from a restaurant or takeout place will average about 270 calories, though this can decrease if the slice is extra thin or increase if it is thicker and heavier.
Calories in a Medium Slice of Margherita Pizza
A medium slice of pizza margherita will contain between 320-450 calories. This calorie estimate is based on a medium slice weighing around 5-6 ounces (140-170 grams).
As an example, here are the calorie counts for medium margherita slices from three major national pizza chains:
- Domino’s (Thin Crust) – 370 calories per 1/4 pizza slice (6 ounces or 170 grams)
- Pizza Hut – 430 calories per 1/4 Original Pan Pizza slice (6 ounces or 168 grams)
- Papa John’s – 320 calories per 1/6 pizza slice (5.5 ounces or 156 grams)
The Domino’s thin crust and Papa John’s examples are on the lower end, while Pizza Hut’s thicker pan pizza is quite a bit higher in calories. But in general, a medium 5-6 ounce margherita slice from most pizzerias contains 320-450 calories depending on the crust and thickness.
Calories in a Large Slice of Margherita Pizza
For a large margherita pizza slice, the calorie count generally ranges from around 400-550 calories per slice. These slices are usually around 7-8 ounces (200-225 grams).
Here are some estimated calorie counts for large margherita slices at popular national pizza chains:
- Pizza Hut – 490 calories per 1/4 Hand-Tossed Pizza slice (7.9 ounces or 224 grams)
- Little Caesars – 430 calories per 1/8 Deep Deep Dish pizza slice (7 ounces or 198 grams)
- Dominos – 400 calories per 1/5 Extra Large Handmade Pan Pizza slice (8.4 ounces or 238 grams)
Based on these numbers, we can estimate that most large pizza margherita slices in the 7-8 ounce range contain approximately 400-550 calories on average. Slices from smaller local pizzerias may fall on the lower end around 400 calories, while deep dish or pan pizzas are often over 500 calories per oversized slice.
Calories in Homemade Margherita Pizza
Making margherita pizza at home allows you to control the ingredients and serving sizes more closely. With homemade pizza, you can make thinner, lighter crusts and use reduced-fat mozzarella to keep calories in check.
Here is an estimated calorie calculation for a homemade margherita pizza made with a thin whole wheat crust, part-skim mozzarella, and fresh tomato sauce:
| Ingredient | Amount | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Wheat Pizza Dough | 1/4 of 14″ crust | 165 |
| Tomato Sauce | 1/4 cup | 30 |
| Part-skim Mozzarella | 1/4 cup shredded | 90 |
| Fresh Basil Leaves | 1 tablespoon chopped | 1 |
| Total | 286 calories |
Based on this estimate, a thin 1/4 slice of this 14-inch homemade margherita pizza would contain around 286 calories. Making a lighter thin crust at home lets you control calories and portion sizes.
Calories in Frozen Margherita Pizza
Frozen margherita pizzas can provide a quick, convenient option. But be aware that frozen varieties often contain more calories than restaurant or homemade pizza.
Here are the nutrition facts for some popular frozen margherita pizzas:
- DiGiorno – 480 calories per 1/4 pizza
- California Pizza Kitchen – 560 calories per 1/3 pizza
- Amy’s Margherita – 280 calories per 1/5 pizza
- Newman’s Own Thin & Crispy – 320 calories per 1/3 pizza
As you can see, calories can go as high as 560 for some frozen kinds like California Pizza Kitchen. Amy’s and Newman’s Own make thinner crust varieties that are lower around 300 calories per third of a pizza.
In general, thinner frozen pizzas around 350 calories per slice or portion are better options than deep dish kinds that can run over 500 calories. Check labels carefully and stick to single-serving sizes.
How to Get More Calories from Your Margherita Pizza
While most people are looking for ways to reduce calories in pizza, some people with higher calorie needs may actually want to increase the calories in a slice. Here are some tips for getting more calories out of margherita pizza:
- Choose deep dish, pan, or stuffed crust versions for thicker, denser dough and crust
- Add extra cheese like an extra layer of mozzarella or shredded parmesan
- Opt for a meat lovers pizza with sausage, pepperoni and bacon as toppings
- Drizzle olive oil or brush garlic-infused olive oil around the crust edge
- Include dipping sauces like ranch, garlic butter, or nacho cheese on the side for dipping crusts
Making some simple additions like extra cheese or meat toppings can easily increase the calorie count by 100-200 calories per slice. Deep dish and pan pizzas also pack more calories in a smaller space due to their thickness and doughy crust.
Tips for Reducing Calories in Margherita Pizza
For those looking to cut calories, there are also lots of ways to lighten up margherita pizza:
- Choose thin, crispy crust instead of deep dish or pan pizza
- Ask for half the usual amount of mozzarella cheese
- Load up on veggie toppings like mushrooms, onions, and peppers instead of meats
- Opt for a smaller slice or buy individual personal pizzas
- Scrape off extra oil or grease from the surface before eating
- Avoid dipping sauces and stick to spices like red pepper flakes for flavor
You can also make lower-calorie substitutions when making pizza at home. Trade full-fat cheese for part-skim varieties, use lighter olive oil sprays, and load up on veggies. With just a few tweaks, you can trim 100 or more calories off your margherita pizza slice.
Nutritional Profile of Margherita Pizza
Now that we’ve looked at the calorie counts, let’s examine some of the other key nutrients found in a slice of pizza margherita:
- Carbohydrates – The majority of calories come from carbs. A slice provides around 30-45g of carbs, mostly from the dough and crust.
- Protein – Cheese is the main source of protein. Expect around 15-20g of protein per slice.
- Fat – Pizza gets lots of fat from cheese and oil drizzled over the surface. Expect around 10-15g of fat per slice.
- Sodium – Sodium levels are high, usually over 500mg per slice due to cheese, tomato sauce, and the crust.
- Vitamins & Minerals – Provides vitamins A and C plus iron, calcium, and antioxidants from the tomato sauce and cheese.
So in moderation, pizza margherita can provide protein, vitamins, and satisfaction. But the high sodium and fat contents can make it hard to fit into a healthy diet when eaten in excess. Sticking to reasonable portions is key.
Healthy Preparation Tips
Here are some healthy preparation and serving tips to make your margherita pizza a bit better for you:
- Use part-skim mozzarella cheese to cut some fat.
- Opt for whole wheat pizza dough for more fiber and nutrients.
- Load up on vegetable toppings like mushrooms, onions, spinach, and artichokes.
- Sprinkle fresh basil leaves on top instead of drizzling with oil.
- Serve salad alongside for added nutrients.
- Stick to reasonable portions – 1/4 to 1/3 of a pizza at most.
Making some simple substitutions and tweaks can help boost the nutritional value of pizza margherita while still keeping it tasty.
Conclusion
So how many calories are in a slice of pizza margherita? On average, a small slice contains around 270 calories, medium has 350 calories, and large packs about 475 calories. But the exact number can vary anywhere from 220 for a thin frozen pizza to over 550 for a thick restaurant pan pizza.
In general, thinner crust pizzas with lighter toppings are the best bet for limiting calories, while homemade pizza gives you the most control over portions and ingredients. No matter what the specific calorie count, it’s best to savor margherita pizza in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet.
