Mozzarella Pizza with Ground Beef

Preparing the Pizza Dough In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt for the pizza dough.

2.Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the warm water and olive oil.

3.Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms.

4.Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

5.Lightly oil a large bowl and place the dough in it, turning to coat it with the oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.

Preparing the Pizza Topping While the dough is rising, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook until the ground beef is browned and the onion is softened. Stir in the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.

Preheating the Oven Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C).

Shaping the Pizza Once the dough has risen, punch it down and transfer it onto a lightly floured surface. Roll the dough into your desired pizza shape and thickness.

9.Place the shaped dough onto a lightly greased pizza pan or baking sheet.

10.Spread the marinara sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.

11.Evenly distribute the cooked ground beef mixture over the sauce.

12.Top the pizza with the grated mozzarella cheese.

13.Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over the cheese.

Baking the Pizza Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Cooling and Serving Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.

16.Garnish the pizza with fresh basil leaves and crushed red pepper flakes, if desired.

17.Slice and serve the Mozzarella Pizza with Ground Beef while it's still warm.