Chicago-Style Thin Crust Pizza with Italian Sausage and Giardiniera

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A thin, crispy pizza topped with spicy Italian sausage and tangy giardiniera, reflecting Chicago’s love for bold flavors beyond deep dish. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 27 minutes pairs store-bought or homemade pizza dough, olive oil, casing removed Italian sausage for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 500°F with a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 6 oz Italian sausage, breaking apart, and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove from heat.
  3. Step 3: Roll out 1 lb pizza dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch thin circle. Brush edges with 1 tbsp olive oil.
  4. Step 4: Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
  5. Step 5: Distribute cooked sausage evenly over cheese, then scatter 1/3 cup chopped giardiniera and 1 tsp dried oregano on top. Add 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
  6. Step 6: Transfer pizza onto the preheated stone or baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly.
  7. Step 7: Let pizza cool 3 minutes before slicing and serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Chicago-Style Thin Crust Pizza with Italian Sausage and Giardiniera take to make?

Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Chicago-Style Thin Crust Pizza with Italian Sausage and Giardiniera?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Chicago-Style Thin Crust Pizza with Italian Sausage and Giardiniera?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Chicago-Style Thin Crust Pizza with Italian Sausage and Giardiniera for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Chicago-Style Thin Crust Pizza with Italian Sausage and Giardiniera?

Italian pizza like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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