Introduction
has been my go-to dinner solution ever since that crazy night when I had nothing but ground beef and pizza dough in my kitchen (thank goodness for basics!). The way the seasoned beef mingles with melted cheese just... it's pure magic, honestly. I've probably made this recipe hundreds of times - especially during those hectic soccer practice evenings when the kids are STARVING. It's become such a staple that my youngest now calls Fridays "beefy pizza night." The best part? It's actually foolproof. Well, mostly foolproof... I've had my share of creative disasters!
Timing
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 15-18 minutes
- Total time: 35-40 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio works best)
- 1 pre-made pizza dough (or make your own if you're feeling ambitious!)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella (fresh works amazing but pre-shredded is fine too)
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce (I use my mom's recipe but store-bought is totally fine)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (or 3... or 4... who's counting?)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: bell peppers, mushrooms, or whatever veggies you've got hanging around
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Dough
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Let the dough come to room temp for about 30 mins - trust me, it makes a HUGE difference. Meanwhile, sprinkle some flour on your counter and start stretching that dough into a roughly 14-inch circle. Don't stress if it's not perfect - mine never is!
Step 2: Cook the Beef
Brown the ground beef with diced onions in a large skillet over medium-high heat. The sizzle when it hits the pan? Pure kitchen music! Add garlic when the meat's almost done - if you add it too early it'll burn (learned that one the hard way 😅).
Step 3: Assemble Your Masterpiece
Spread the marinara in a thin layer - y'know, like painting a canvas but with sauce. Layer on your seasoned beef mixture, then absolutely shower it with cheese. Sometimes I get carried away with the cheese... but is there really such a thing as too much?
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Slide that beauty into the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes. You're looking for bubbly cheese with those gorgeous golden-brown spots. The smell will drive you crazy - fair warning!
Healthier Alternatives
Look, I get it - sometimes we need to watch what we eat (especially after the holidays, right?). Try using ground turkey or chicken instead of beef. Easy Homemade Cheesy Ground Beef Pizza Recipe For low-carb folks, cauliflower crust works surprisingly well! And if you're
