Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will revolutionize your pizza night! Imagine the perfect marriage of Chicago's legendary Italian beef sandwich and a classic pizza, creating a flavor explosion that will make your taste buds dance with joy. This isn't just another pizza recipe – it's a game-changing dish that combines the rich, savory goodness of tender Italian beef, zesty giardiniera, and melted mozzarella on a perfectly crispy crust that will transport you straight to the streets of Chicago.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pizza dough
- 1 lb Italian beef
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup giardiniera
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- Olive oil for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven during preheating to ensure a crispy crust.
- Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to approximately 14 inches in diameter, creating a slightly thicker edge typical of Chicago-style pizza.
- Prepare the Italian beef by shredding or thinly slicing the meat. If using pre-cooked beef, warm it slightly to enhance flavor.
- Lightly brush the pizza dough with olive oil, ensuring complete coverage to promote golden browning.
- Spread marinara sauce evenly across the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.
- Distribute the shredded Italian beef uniformly over the marinara sauce.
- Sprinkle mozzarella cheese generously over the beef, covering the entire pizza surface.
- Top the cheese with giardiniera, spreading it evenly for consistent flavor in each bite.
- Transfer the pizza to the preheated pizza stone or a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and slightly bubbling.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes to allow cheese to set and flavors to meld.
- Slice into 8 wedges and serve hot, optionally with additional giardiniera or marinara on the side.
Tips
- Temperature is Key: Make sure your oven is fully preheated to 475°F for that perfect crispy crust. A pizza stone can take your crust from good to extraordinary!
- Prep Like a Pro: Shred or slice your Italian beef before starting to make assembly smoother and faster.
- Don't Skimp on the Oil: Brushing the dough with olive oil ensures a beautiful golden-brown crust that's both crispy and flavorful.
- Cheese Distribution Matters: Spread mozzarella evenly to guarantee every bite is cheesy and delicious.
- Let It Rest: Allowing the pizza to sit for 3-5 minutes after baking helps the cheese set and intensifies the flavors.
- Customize to Your Taste: Feel free to adjust the amount of giardiniera based on your spice tolerance.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve with extra marinara or giardiniera on the side for those who want an extra flavor kick!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 520kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 95mg
