Spicy Ground Beef Pizza (Printable)

Fiery pizza with chili-spiced beef, melted cheeses, jalapeños, and a sweet spicy honey drizzle.

# Components:

→ Pizza Dough

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

→ Spicy Ground Beef

07 - 9 oz ground beef
08 - 1 tbsp olive oil
09 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
10 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
11 - 1 tbsp tomato paste
12 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1 tsp chili powder
14 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
15 - 1/2 tsp 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 tbsp pickled jalapeños, sliced (optional)
20 - 2 tbsp hot honey
21 - Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

# Method:

01 - Combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. 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 place 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. Add 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 let cool slightly.
03 - Preheat oven to 480°F (250°C) or as hot as possible. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat.
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 floured pizza peel.
05 - Spread the spicy ground beef evenly over the dough, leaving a border around the edges. Top with mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Scatter jalapeños on top 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 Advice:

01 -
  • The spicy beef gets deeply caramelized in its own fat, creating little crispy bits that contrast beautifully with the gooey cheese.
  • Hot honey adds a glossy, sweet heat that cuts through the richness and makes every bite a little addictive.
  • You control the heat level completely, so it can be a gentle warmth or a fiery kick depending on your mood.
  • It comes together in about 40 minutes, which means you can have homemade pizza on a weeknight without the stress.
02 -
  • Do not skip preheating the oven fully, a hot oven is the difference between a crispy crust and a floppy one.
  • Let the cooked beef cool slightly before spreading it on the dough, or the heat will start cooking the dough unevenly before it even goes in the oven.
  • Drizzle the hot honey after baking, not before, because honey can burn quickly and turn bitter under high heat.
03 -
  • If your dough is fighting you when you try to stretch it, let it rest for 5 minutes, the gluten will relax and it will cooperate.
  • For extra crispy edges, brush the crust border with a little olive oil and sprinkle it with coarse salt before baking.
  • Taste your beef mixture before assembling the pizza, it is easier to adjust seasoning now than after it is baked.
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