Spicy Ground Beef Pizza (Print)

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

# Ingredients:

→ 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)

# Directions:

01 - Combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add warm water and olive oil, mixing 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 until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onion for 3 minutes until translucent, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up. 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, then remove from heat to cool slightly.
03 - Preheat the oven to 480°F (250°C) or as hot as possible. Place pizza stone inside if using, to heat.
04 - Punch down the risen dough and roll or stretch it into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheet or a floured pizza peel.
05 - Spread the spicy ground beef evenly over the dough, leaving a border. 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 bubbly.
07 - Remove from oven and immediately drizzle with hot honey. Garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley if preferred. Slice and serve while hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The hot honey hits differently when it melts into warm cheese, creating this addictive sweet-spicy thing that makes you reach for another slice.
  • You control the heat level completely, so whether you like a gentle warm buzz or face-melting fire, it's all in your hands.
  • The whole thing comes together in 40 minutes, perfect for when you want something that feels impressive but doesn't require planning three days ahead.
02 -
  • The hot honey drizzle is not optional—it completely transforms the pizza from good to memorable, so don't skip it or apply it stingily.
  • Don't overload the toppings; I learned this by making a version so heavy the crust couldn't support it and the center stayed doughy while the edges burned.
  • Room temperature beef is key; if you add hot beef straight to the oven, it keeps cooking and can get tough, so let it cool for a few minutes first.
03 -
  • If your dough is sticky and fighting you during stretching, give it a five-minute rest and it'll relax enough to work with—forcing it just causes tears that ruin your crust.
  • The moment right before you drizzle the hot honey is when you want to work quickly with garnishes because the pizza is still at peak temperature and everything will stick and meld together.
Back