Nothing beats the smell of fresh homemade pizza dough and this recipe is a recipe I kept making while locking. This fresh pizza with leftover ground beef in tomato sauce, and ingredients I found then in the fridge, came out so delicious I had to share it. I used only 5 main ingredients for the coating that can be easily found in the pantry or refrigerator. No need to add any more flavors or herbs because the minced meat itself is super tasty. If you are looking to make this pizza but have no leftover beef, check out my recipe for beef lasagna, where you will find instructions on how to make basic beef in tomato sauce. Since I used leftovers from last night’s dinner that was spaghetti with ground beef in tomato sauce, the beef turned into a thicker sauce that was perfect for pizza because no one likes a wet bottom!
Pizza dough
This is the most exciting part of the process. All you need is the right amount of these 4 ingredients to achieve a soft and elastic dough. You do not need a mixer or any fancy machine to knead it. Just use a bowl and wooden spoon and let your hands do the work. It’s so therapeutic. You can not really go wrong with the dough, and it should rise if you follow these simple steps. Here’s what you’ll need for the dough.
- Strong white bread flour
- Salt
- yeast
- hot water
The first step is to mix the salt into the flour. You need to mix it, otherwise the salt can kill the yeast if it is in direct contact with it. Then mix the yeast into hot water to activate them. When the water is still warm, add it to the flour and with the help of a wooden spoon, combine the dough. If the dough is too wet you can add a little flour at a time to prevent sticking. Sprinkle a little flour on a work surface and transfer the dough. Now use your hands and start kneading. Using the heel of the palm, push the dough, then return it by folding it over itself. Repeat this push-pull movement several times for about 5-10 minutes until the dough feels elastic without breaking. The dough can now prove.
The toppings for the pizza
There are so many different combinations of pizza toppings you can use, but I chose toppings I already had in the fridge and it worked great!
- tomato sauce
- Mince
- Wilted spinach
- Fresh basil
- Grated cheddar
If you have ground beef left over it works perfectly because it had more time to develop its flavors. What’s more, the sauce will become thicker because the meat would have absorbed more of the sauce. You’re less likely to end up with a wet bottom condition! If you want to make the beef in a tomato sauce from scratch, you can use the filling I used in my beef lasagna recipe and cook it while the dough rests. Adding less liquid will ensure you a nice, thick sauce bursting with flavors.
Using wilted spinach adds extra texture to the pizza. I also like to add green vegetables that contrast well with the tomato sauce.
You can not go wrong with basil when making pizza. This is the perfect herb that brings a delicious aroma to pizza.
I used grated cheddar because that’s what I had in the fridge at the time, but you can use any cheese that melts well, with the most common being mozzarella.
Your ideas for home pizza toppings
Why not start a pizza making party this fall with your family or friends? The idea is to make the dough and while it proves you all come together to make the toppings, sit down and play games or even drink a glass of wine to whet your appetite. Ask your family or guests to build their own homemade pizza and turn it into a fun dinner party!
If you enjoyed making the pizza recipe with ground beef, be sure to leave a comment. I would love to know what your favorite pizza toppings are. Be sure to tag me in your pizza photo on Instagram. I would like to see your works.
Homemade pizza with ground beef in tomato sauce
yield:
4 pizzas
Preparation time:
10 minutes
Cooking time:
10 minutes
extra time:
2 hours
Total time:
2 hours 20 minutes
This pizza has deep flavors of ground beef in tomato sauce and is the perfect dish if you want to use leftovers from a bolognese dish. Prepare the dough
Component
For the dough
-
500 grams of strong white bread flour
-
7 grams of dry yeast
-
1 teaspoon salt
-
330 ml warm water
For the extras
-
200 grams of ground beef in tomato sauce
-
A handful of basil leaves
-
400 ml pasta or tomato sauce
-
150 grams of grated cheddar
-
75 grams of wilted spinach
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, mix the salt and flour and mix. Add the yeast to the hot water and stir to combine. Make a hole in the center and pour the yeast mixture into the flour. Using a wooden spoon, connect the dough. Transfer the dough to a work surface and put in 5 minutes until a smooth mixture is obtained. Divide the dough into 4 and shape into balls.
- Leave the dough: Place the dough balls on a floured surface and cover with a damp towel. Leave to swell for two hours.
- Shape the dough: Preheat the oven to 2 oC. On a floured work surface tap the air from the dough and flatten it with your fingertips, turning the dough every so often, making sure it is the same thickness. Transfer to a floured pan before adding the toppings.
- Add the toppings: Divide the toppings between the four pizzas, starting with pasta, ground beef, kabal spinach, basil leaves and finishing with grated cheese.
- Bake the pizza: Transfer to the oven and bake the pizza for 10 minutes until the cheese has melted and the crust is crisp and brown. Serve immediately with a green salad on the side.
