Ground Beef Pizza is everything we love about a classic pizza night - savory beef, gooey cheese and lots of fresh toppings on a crispy crust. It's simple, satisfying and the kind of meal you'll want on repeat for busy weeknights.
Ground beef probably isn't the first topping that comes to mind for pizza, but honestly, it deserves way more credit.
When it's cooked with onion, garlic and a few herbs, it turns into this rich, super tasty topping that works so well with melty mozzarella and a pile of fresh veggies.
It's hearty, comforting, and a fun change from the usual pepperoni or sausage routine.
Why you'll love this ground beef pizza
- Quick to prep using ready-made crusts
- Endlessly customizable with whatever veggies and cheeses you like
- Comes out of the oven smelling like pure comfort!
What you'll need
Ground beef - I use lean ground beef so the pizza doesn't end up greasy.
Olive oil - Just a splash to get the onions and garlic going in the pan.
Red onion - Half gets finely diced for the beef, and the other half goes on the pizza in slices for sweetness and crunch.
Garlic - Freshly chopped for the beef for extra flavor.
Oregano, basil & chili flakes - Simple dried herbs and a little heat to season the beef.
Pizza crusts - Pre-made crusts make this recipe weeknight-friendly, but if you've got homemade dough, that's great too.
Pizza sauce - A good store-bought jar works perfectly here!
Red bell pepper and mushrooms - Sliced thinly so they cook through quickly in the oven.
Mozzarella - Shredded and ready to melt into all the toppings!
Pro tip
If you like a really crisp crust, bake the pizza crusts for 2-3 minutes on their own before adding the toppings.
How to make pizza with ground beef
This is a quick overview with step-by-step photos. See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
Cook the onion and garlic in olive oil, then add the ground beef and seasonings. Cook until browned and drain excess fat if needed.
Preheat the oven as directed on the pizza crust package and set the crusts on baking sheets.
Spread the sauce over the crusts, then top with ground beef, onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, jalapeño and mozzarella.
Bake until the cheese is melted and the crust is golden, then finish with fresh basil before serving.
Substitutions and variations
- You can swap mozzarella for provolone, Monterey Jack, or a mix of cheddar and mozzarella for extra flavor.
- Tomato passata or marinara works if you don't have pizza sauce.
- For veggies, use whatever's in the fridge - zucchini, spinach, artichokes or olives are all good options.
Helpful tips for the best ground beef pizza
- I always cook the beef until it's nicely browned with no pink left because that's what gives the pizza better flavor and texture.
- Season the beef generously. The oregano, basil and chili flakes are what make it taste like "pizza beef" instead of plain mince.
- Don't overload the pizza. A good balance of toppings keeps the crust from getting weighed down.
Leftovers and storage
- Leftover ground beef pizza will keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store the slices in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in foil.
- To reheat, I like using the oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 8-10 minutes to keep the crust crispy.
- You can also reheat leftover slices in the air fryer. Place a slice or two in the basket and heat at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes.
- This pizza freezes nicely. Let the slices cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and foil. They'll keep for up to 2 months. Reheat straight from frozen in a 375°F oven for 12-15 minutes until hot and bubbly.
If you've tried this ground beef pizza recipe, please rate it and leave a comment below! I'd love to hear how it turned out.
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Ground Beef Pizza
Ingredients
For the ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small red onion finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
For the pizza
- 2 pre-made pizza crusts
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 small red onion sliced
- 1 small red bell pepper sliced
- 1 cup mushrooms sliced
- 1 ounce jalapeño slices optionally chopped
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh basil to garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until it starts to soften.1 tablespoon olive oil1 small red onion2 garlic cloves
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and break it down with your spoon. Stir in the oregano, basil, chili flakes, salt, and pepper and cook for 5-6 minutes until browned all over. Drain any excess far if needed.1 pound lean ground beef1 teaspoon dried oregano1 teaspoon dried basil¼ teaspoon red chili flakes½ teaspoon salt¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Meanwhile, preheat your oven according to the instructions on the pizza crust package. Place the crusts on baking sheets or pizza pans.2 pre-made pizza crusts
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly over both crusts. Scatter the cooked ground beef over the top, then add the sliced onion, bell pepper, mushrooms and jalapeño. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over everything.1 cup pizza sauce1 small red onion1 small red bell pepper1 cup mushrooms1 ounce jalapeño slices1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling, and the crust is golden, usually 10 to 12 minutes depending on your crust. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Top with fresh basil before slicing and serving.Fresh basil
Video
Notes
- Drain the beef well after browning so the pizza doesn't end up greasy. That's especially important if you don't use lean ground beef.
- Slice the vegetables thinly so they cook through in the short baking time.
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