Spicy Ground Beef Pizza (Printable)

Fiery pizza with chili-spiced beef, melty cheese, jalapeños, and a sweet hot honey drizzle.

# Components:

→ 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 ounces 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 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese
18 - 2 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese
19 - 2 tablespoons pickled jalapeños, sliced (optional)
20 - 2 tablespoons hot honey
21 - Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

# Directions:

01 - In a large bowl, combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add warm water and olive oil, stirring 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 spot for 1 hour or 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. Incorporate ground beef, breaking it up, and cook until browned. Stir in tomato paste, smoked paprika, chili powder, cumin, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
03 - Set oven to 480°F and preheat. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat.
04 - Punch down the risen dough and roll or stretch into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet or floured pizza peel.
05 - Spread the spicy ground beef evenly over the dough, leaving a border. Top with mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Add jalapeños if desired.
06 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.
07 - Remove from oven, immediately drizzle with hot honey, and garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley if preferred. Slice and serve hot.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • That hot honey drizzle hits you with warmth and sweetness in the same breath, turning a simple pizza into something memorable.
  • Ground beef means it bakes faster than waiting for a regular pizza, so you're eating within 40 minutes of deciding you want it.
  • The spice is adjustable, so whether you like gentle warmth or real fire, this pizza bends to your preference.
02 -
  • Don't skip the rest time for your dough; rushing it means a dense, tough crust that no amount of toppings can fix.
  • The hot honey needs to go on immediately after the pizza leaves the oven while everything is still warm and the honey can melt into the cheese instead of sitting on top like a glaze.
  • Taste your spiced beef mixture before it goes on the pizza, because once it's baked you can't adjust the heat level.
03 -
  • If you have a pizza stone, preheat it in the oven while your dough rises so the bottom of your crust gets extra crisp and bubbly.
  • Hot honey can be made in advance and kept in a small jar in your pantry, so whenever the craving hits, you're only 40 minutes away from this pizza.
  • A pizza peel makes transferring your topped dough to the oven easier, but parchment paper works just as well and saves you from the learning curve of sliding things around.
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