Spicy Ground Beef Pizza (Print Version)

Bold chili-spiced beef finds balance with melted cheeses and a drizzle of hot honey on a crisp crust.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pizza Dough

01 - 2 cups bread flour
02 - 1 teaspoon instant yeast
03 - 1 teaspoon sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon salt
05 - 2/3 cup warm water
06 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Spicy Ground Beef

07 - 9 oz ground beef
08 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
09 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
10 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
11 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
14 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
15 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, adjust to taste
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Toppings

17 - 7 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
18 - 2 oz grated sharp cheddar cheese
19 - 2 tablespoons pickled jalapeños, sliced (optional)
20 - 2 tablespoons hot honey (honey mixed with chili flakes)
21 - Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add warm water and olive oil. Stir until a shaggy dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onion until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Stir in tomato paste, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper. Cook 2 to 3 minutes until aromatic. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
03 - Set oven to 480°F (250°C) or as hot as possible. If using a pizza stone, place it inside to preheat.
04 - Punch down the risen dough and roll or stretch it into a 12-inch (30 cm) circle. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet or a floured pizza peel.
05 - Spread the spicy ground beef evenly over the dough, leaving a border. Top with shredded mozzarella and grated cheddar cheese. Scatter sliced jalapeños if using.
06 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling.
07 - Remove pizza from oven and immediately drizzle with hot honey. Garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley if desired. Slice and serve hot.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It's a controlled spice experience—you get heat without overwhelming the whole dish, and you can adjust the pepper flakes to your own comfort level.
  • Homemade dough means you skip the delivery wait and eat pizza at its absolute best, straight from your oven.
  • The hot honey drizzle is where the magic happens—it transforms something familiar into something that feels restaurant-quality.
02 -
  • Don't skip letting the dough rise properly—a rushed rise results in dense, tough crust that defeats the entire purpose of making pizza from scratch.
  • The hot honey needs to go on immediately after the pizza leaves the oven so it seeps into the cheese and crust rather than sitting on top and sliding off.
  • Browning the beef properly makes all the difference—break it into small pieces and let it sit undisturbed for a minute or two so it develops color and flavor instead of steaming.
03 -
  • Use a pizza stone if you have one, but if you don't, a preheated cast iron skillet or even the back of a baking sheet works—the difference is texture, and a good pizza is good pizza regardless.
  • Proof your dough in a spot that's warm but not hot—the top of the refrigerator, an oven with the light on, or a turned-off oven work perfectly, and this patience pays off in flavor complexity.
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