Spicy Ground Beef Pizza (Print Version)

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

# 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 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)

# How to Make It:

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 dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot 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. Incorporate 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 black pepper. Cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
03 - Set oven to 480°F (250°C) or highest possible temperature. Place pizza stone inside if using to preheat.
04 - Punch down the risen dough and roll or stretch 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. Sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar cheeses on top. Add sliced jalapeños if desired.
06 - Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.
07 - Remove pizza from oven and immediately drizzle with hot honey. Garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley if preferred. Slice and serve hot.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • That hot honey drizzle hits different when you pull it fresh from the oven and the cheese is still bubbling.
  • You can make the dough ahead and just focus on the beef topping when you're ready to bake.
  • It's spicy enough to feel exciting but won't leave you gasping for milk.
02 -
  • Don't skip letting the dough rise fully—rushing this step means a dense, disappointing crust that no topping can save.
  • The hot honey really does need to go on immediately after baking; the warmth of the pizza makes it flow and distribute beautifully.
  • Cook the beef mixture completely before topping; any moisture will make your crust soggy.
03 -
  • A pizza stone makes a real difference in crust texture, but if you don't have one, a preheated baking sheet works fine—just accept that the bottom won't be quite as crispy.
  • Stretching dough by hand feels intimidating until you realize it wants to cooperate; let gravity help you by holding it up and rotating gently rather than forcing it flat.
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