Description
A spicy and flavorful Calabrian Chili Roasted Red Pepper Pizza featuring a crispy crust, melted mozzarella, and a kick from Calabrian chili paste. This easy-to-make pizza is perfect for a quick dinner or game night, balancing heat and savory flavors with Italian seasoning and a touch of fresh basil.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Base
- 1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- Flour (for dusting)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Toppings
- 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, sliced
- 2 tablespoons Calabrian chili paste (or more to taste)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Fresh basil leaves (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and place a pizza stone or baking sheet inside to heat thoroughly, ensuring a crispy crust when baking.
- Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the pizza dough to about 12 inches wide, creating a thin and even base for your toppings.
- Prepare for Topping: Transfer the rolled-out dough to a piece of parchment paper, which will make transferring the pizza into the oven easier and prevent sticking.
- Add Oil and Chili Paste: Brush the surface of the dough evenly with olive oil, then spread the Calabrian chili paste over the entire dough to infuse the base with spicy flavor.
- Add Cheese and Peppers: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the pizza base, then add the sliced roasted red peppers on top for a smoky sweetness to balance the heat.
- Season and Add Parmesan: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning over the pizza for depth of flavor and aromatic herbs.
- Bake the Pizza: Carefully slide the pizza on the parchment paper onto the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake for 10–12 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and top with fresh basil leaves if desired. Slice and serve immediately while hot and flavorful.
Notes
- Using a pizza stone helps achieve a crispier crust but a baking sheet works as a good alternative.
- You can adjust the amount of Calabrian chili paste to your preferred spice level.
- For a more robust flavor, allow the chili paste to sit on the dough for a few minutes before adding cheese.
- If you don’t have roasted red peppers, you can roast fresh bell peppers yourself.
- Fresh basil adds a nice aromatic finish but is optional.
