Description

This Spicy Ground Beef Pizza features a flavorful homemade bread flour crust topped with a seasoned ground beef mixture, melted mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, and a drizzle of hot honey. With smoky and spicy seasonings including smoked paprika, chili powder, and crushed red pepper flakes, this pizza delivers a perfect balance of heat and savory richness. Ideal for a quick and satisfying homemade dinner, it combines simple pantry ingredients into a bold, comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

2 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon instant yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup warm water
1 tablespoon olive oil

Spicy Ground Beef Topping

9 ounces ground beef
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Cheeses and Garnishes

7 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
2 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons pickled jalapeños, sliced (optional)
2 tablespoons hot honey
Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Prepare Dough: In a large bowl, mix together bread flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Add warm water and olive oil, stirring until a shaggy dough forms. Transfer to a floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Cook Spicy Ground Beef: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook until browned throughout. Mix in tomato paste, smoked paprika, chili powder, ground cumin, and crushed red pepper flakes. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Continue cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until the spices are aromatic. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 480°F (250°C). If you have a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat while the oven preheats.
Shape Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release air bubbles. Roll or stretch the dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or a floured pizza peel if using a pizza stone.
Assemble Pizza: Evenly spread the cooked spicy ground beef mixture over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated sharp cheddar evenly over the beef. Add sliced pickled jalapeños if desired for extra heat.
Bake: Place the pizza in the preheated oven (on the baking sheet or slide onto the heated pizza stone). Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
Finish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven. Immediately drizzle with hot honey for a sweet-spicy finish. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro or parsley if you like. Slice the pizza and serve hot.

Notes

Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes and jalapeños to control the level of spiciness.
Using a pizza stone helps create a crispier crust but a baking sheet works well too.
Hot honey adds a unique sweet heat which can be replaced with regular honey if preferred.
Rest the cooked beef mixture before assembling to prevent making the dough soggy.
You can prepare the dough and beef mixture ahead of time to make assembly faster on serving day.