Giada’s Pizza Bianca is my secret weapon for making any day feel special. The way the dough bakes up crispy and golden, topped with velvety mortadella, makes it irresistible. The thyme adds a fresh, earthy aroma that fills the kitchen—it’s like comfort food with a touch of elegance.

Serve this pizza straight out of the oven with a side of olives or a fresh herb salad. It’s a lovely choice for winter nights or holiday parties, but it’s just as perfect for a sunny spring picnic. Simple, delicious, and guaranteed to impress.

Recipe Ingredients

• 1 pound of pizza dough, homemade or store-bought
• All-purpose flour, for rolling the dough
• 2 teaspoons of extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped
• ¾ teaspoon of kosher salt
• ½ pound of thinly sliced mortadella

How To Make Giada Pizza Bianca

1. Preheat Your Oven: Set the oven rack to the center position and preheat to 450°F, so it’s hot and ready for baking.
2. Prepare Your Dough: Lightly dust a clean surface with flour, then roll out the pizza dough to a thickness of about ½ inch. Take your time to ensure it’s evenly rolled out, as this will affect the baking.
3. Transfer and Dock: Gently move the rolled-out dough to a heavy baking sheet, ensuring it’s laid out flat without any folds. Use a fork to pierce the dough all over, creating small holes to prevent air bubbles while it bakes.
4. Add Olive Oil and Seasonings: Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the surface of the dough. Sprinkle the chopped thyme and kosher salt on top, spreading them out so each bite will have a burst of flavor.
5. Bake to Perfection: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the crust turns a beautiful golden brown. Keep an eye on it to avoid over-baking.
6. Add the Mortadella: Once out of the oven, immediately drape the thin slices of mortadella over the warm crust. The heat will slightly soften the mortadella, enhancing its aroma and flavor.
7. Serve and Enjoy: Slice the pizza into wedges or squares, depending on your preference, and serve it warm. The salty, savory mortadella paired with the herbaceous thyme makes this a simple yet irresistible dish.

Recipe Tips

• Crispier Crust: Use a pizza stone instead of a baking sheet to get an extra crispy crust, and preheat the stone in the oven for best results.
• Herb Swap: If you don’t have fresh thyme, swap it with rosemary or oregano for a slightly different but equally aromatic flavor.
• Mortadella Substitute: Try prosciutto, salami, or even thinly sliced ham if mortadella isn’t available. Each adds a unique savory profile to the pizza.
• Make It Cheesy: Sprinkle a light layer of grated Parmesan or mozzarella on the crust before adding the mortadella for an extra layer of indulgence.
• Advance Preparation: Roll out the dough and dock it with a fork a few hours before baking to save time. Store it covered in the fridge until ready to bake.

Recipe FAQs and Variations

Check out More Recipes:

• Giada Focaccia with Tangerine and Fennel
• Giada Oysters with Prosecco Mignonette
• Giada Grilled Caprese Salad