Homemade Ground Beef Pizza (Cheesy & Savory American Style)

🛒 Ingredients

• 1 lb (16 oz) store-bought or homemade pizza dough (room temperature)
• 1/2 lb (8 oz) lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10)
• 1/2 cup classic pizza marinara sauce
• 2 cups whole-milk shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (dried oregano, basil, thyme)
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for gentle heat)
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper (to taste)
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Fresh basil leaves or chopped parsley for garnish

👩‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1
   Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone or baking steel, place it on the center rack to heat thoroughly for at least 30 minutes.
2. 2
   Brown and Season the Ground Beef:
   Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and ground beef. Break the beef into bite-sized crumbles using a wooden spoon. Season with Italian seasoning, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and chili flakes. Cook for 5–7 minutes until browned and fully cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain all excess grease completely.
3. 3
   Shape the Dough:
   Stretch or roll out your room-temperature pizza dough on a lightly floured surface or parchment paper into a 12-to-14-inch round circle. Lightly brush the outer crust rim with a few drops of olive oil.
4. 4
   Assemble the Pizza:
   Spread the pizza marinara sauce evenly across the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge. Sprinkle half of the shredded mozzarella over the sauce. Evenly distribute the seasoned cooked ground beef and sliced red onions. Top with the remaining mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
5. 5
   Bake to Golden Perfection:
   Transfer the pizza (with parchment paper or using a floured peel) into the preheated oven. Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling with golden brown spots and the crust is deeply crisp.
6. 6
   Garnish, Slice, & Serve:
   Let the pizza rest for 3–5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley, slice into 8 triangles, and serve warm!

🥗 Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)