Windy City Classic: Chicago Thin-Crust Pizza
Chicago-style thin-crust pizza offers a delightfully crispy bite with bold, savory flavors and minimal fuss. Unlike its deep-dish cousin, this pie delivers maximum crunch and a satisfyingly cheesy topping—all on a crackery base.
🧂 Ingredients (Serves 4):
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp active dry yeast
- ¾ cup warm water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup crushed San Marzano tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2 cups shredded whole milk mozzarella
- ½ lb Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
- ¼ cup sliced pepperoni
- Fresh basil (optional)
🍳 Instructions:
1️⃣ Make the Dough:
🥣 In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Stir in warm water and olive oil until a rough dough forms. Knead until smooth, about 5–7 minutes. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
2️⃣ Preheat and Prepare Sauce:
🔥 Preheat oven to 500°F with a pizza stone or inverted baking sheet inside. Meanwhile, combine crushed tomatoes, oregano, and garlic powder in a small saucepan. Simmer for 10 minutes, then set aside.
3️⃣ Roll Out the Dough:
🍕 Punch down dough and divide in half. Roll each piece out very thin—about ⅛ inch thick—on parchment paper.
4️⃣ Assemble the Pizza:
🧀 Spread tomato sauce evenly, sprinkle with mozzarella, then top with sausage and pepperoni.
5️⃣ Bake:
🔥 Transfer the pizza (on parchment) to the hot stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10–12 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.
6️⃣ Serve:
🌿 Slice into squares (the true Chicago way), garnish with fresh basil if desired, and serve hot!
📦 Amazon Must-Haves to Help You Create the Best Chicago Thin-Crust Pizza
- 🍕 Cast Iron Pizza Pan – For a crispy, restaurant-quality crust
- 🌿 Dried Oregano – Adds that signature Chicago pizzeria flavor
- 🔪 Pizza Cutter Wheel – Slice your pie like a pro
- 🧀 Cheese Grater – Perfect for shredding fresh mozzarella or provolone
- 🍅 San Marzano Crushed Tomatoes – The key to a rich, authentic tomato base
- 🫒 Olive Oil Dispenser – Sleek and functional for sauce prep or finishing drizzle
💡 Helpful Tip:
For an ultra-crispy crust, preheat your pizza stone for at least 30 minutes and use parchment paper to easily slide the dough onto the stone.