Homemade Meat Lover’s Pizza: A Perfectly Crispy and Savory Delight
Craving a hearty, savory meal? This Homemade Meat Lover’s Pizza is the perfect answer. With a deliciously crispy crust, topped with rich tomato sauce, savory ground beef, and melted cheese, this pizza is sure to satisfy your hunger. Whether you’re preparing it for a family dinner or a cozy night in, this meat lover’s pizza is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Let’s walk through how to make this delicious pizza from scratch!
Ingredients:
For the Pizza Dough:
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F)
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
For the Toppings:
- 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 lb ground beef (cooked and crumbled)
- 1 tsp garlic powder (optional for extra flavor)
- 1 tsp dried oregano (optional for extra flavor)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for drizzling)
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Pizza Dough
- In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar in the warm water. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and stir gently. Let it sit for about 5 minutes, until the mixture becomes frothy.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil to the flour, stirring until a dough begins to form.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
Step 2: Prepare the Toppings
- While the dough is rising, cook the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat. Break the beef into small pieces as it cooks. Once browned and cooked through, remove from heat and set aside.
- Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).
- If you’re using store-bought tomato sauce, you can mix in the garlic powder and oregano to add extra flavor.
Step 3: Assemble the Pizza
- Punch down the risen dough and transfer it to a floured surface. Roll it out to your desired thickness, making sure it fits your pizza pan or baking sheet.
- Place the rolled dough onto a greased baking sheet or pizza stone.
- Spread the tomato sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges for the crust.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
- Evenly distribute the cooked ground beef over the cheese.
Step 4: Bake the Pizza
- Drizzle the pizza with a tablespoon of olive oil to help crisp the crust and enhance the flavor.
- Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling and slightly browned.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Tips for the Best Meat Lover’s Pizza:
- For extra flavor, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, fresh basil, or more herbs on top of the pizza before baking.
- You can substitute the ground beef with other meats like sausage, pepperoni, or bacon for an even more decadent pizza.
- If you like a crispier crust, pre-bake the dough for 5 minutes before adding the toppings.
- Feel free to experiment with adding vegetables like onions, peppers, or mushrooms for a more balanced pizza.
Conclusion:
This Homemade Meat Lover’s Pizza is the perfect combination of crispy crust, savory ground beef, and melted cheese that will satisfy any pizza lover’s cravings. Whether you’re serving it at a family dinner or enjoying a cozy night with friends, this pizza is easy to make and full of flavor. Try making it today and enjoy a pizza that’s loaded with delicious toppings and homemade goodness!