Cheesy Minced Beef Pizza 🍕🧀🥩
This homemade Cheesy Minced Beef Pizza features a crispy crust topped with seasoned ground beef, rich pizza sauce, plenty of melted mozzarella, and your favorite toppings. It’s a family favorite that’s perfect for pizza night.
Servings: 8 slices (1 large 14-inch pizza)
Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus 1 hour for dough rising, if homemade)
Cook Time: 15–18 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 45 minutes
Ingredients
For the Pizza Dough
- 2¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- ¾ cup (180 ml) warm water (105–110°F / 40–43°C)
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose or bread flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Or: Use 1 lb (450 g) store-bought pizza dough.
For the Beef Topping
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground (minced) beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
Pizza Sauce
- ¾ cup pizza sauce or marinara sauce
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Toppings
- Sliced mushrooms
- Bell peppers
- Red onion
- Black olives
- Jalapeños
- Pepperoni
- Sweetcorn
- Fresh basil
Instructions
1. Prepare the Dough (If Homemade)
- In a bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add the flour, salt, and olive oil.
- Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
2. Cook the Beef
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the onion for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add the minced beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
- Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in the Italian seasoning, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes, then let the mixture cool slightly.
3. Assemble the Pizza
- Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, preheat it for at least 30 minutes.
- Roll the dough into a 14-inch circle and place it on a pizza pan or parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border.
- Sprinkle half of the mozzarella over the sauce.
- Evenly distribute the seasoned minced beef.
- Add any optional toppings.
- Top with the remaining mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan.
4. Bake
Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until:
- The crust is golden brown.
- The cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
- The center is cooked through.
For extra browning, broil for the last 1–2 minutes, watching carefully.
5. Serve
Let the pizza rest for 5 minutes, then slice and garnish with:
- Fresh basil
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Dried oregano
- A drizzle of garlic butter or hot honey (optional)
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy with:
- Caesar salad
- Garlic bread
- Coleslaw
- Roasted vegetables
- Tomato soup
- Crispy potato wedges
Variations
BBQ Beef Pizza
Replace the pizza sauce with barbecue sauce and top with red onions and smoked cheddar.
Cheeseburger Pizza
Add diced pickles after baking and drizzle with burger sauce.
Spicy Beef Pizza
Mix chopped jalapeños into the beef and use pepper Jack cheese.
Meat Lovers
Add cooked sausage, bacon, or pepperoni with the minced beef.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Wrap slices individually and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating
- Oven: 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes.
- Air Fryer: 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes.
- Microwave: 30–60 seconds (the crust will be softer).
Approximate Nutrition (Per Slice, based on 8 slices)
- Calories: 420
- Protein: 22 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fat: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 590 mg
Tips for the Best Pizza
- Drain the beef well after browning to keep the crust crisp.
- Pre-bake the crust for 5–7 minutes before adding toppings if you prefer an extra-crispy base.
- Use freshly grated mozzarella for the best melt and stretch.
- Let the pizza rest for 5 minutes before slicing so the cheese sets and doesn’t slide off.