Cooking Tips
Ultimate Cheesy Meatball Pizza with Fresh Basil and Bell Peppers
A golden, crispy pizza crust loaded with juicy Italian meatballs, rich tomato sauce, bell peppers, and gooey melted mozzarella.
By Steak House Diaries Editorial Desk | Published | Updated | 2 min read
A golden, crispy pizza crust is loaded with juicy Italian-style meatballs, rich tomato sauce, colorful bell peppers and layers of gooey melted mozzarella. Baked until bubbling and finished with fresh basil, this homemade pizza is bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
Pizza dough:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup warm water
2 1/4 tsp instant yeast
1 tbsp granulated sugar
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
Italian meatballs:
400 g ground beef
1/4 cup Italian breadcrumbs
1 large egg
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
Tomato pizza sauce:
3/4 cup pizza sauce
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp red chili flakes (optional)
Cheesy pizza topping:
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 cup fresh spinach leaves
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
To serve:
2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 tsp dried Italian herbs
1 tbsp olive oil, for brushing the crust
Method
1. Make the dough: mix the flour, warm water, yeast, sugar, olive oil and salt, knead until smooth, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
2. Mix the ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, oregano, salt and pepper, and shape into small meatballs.
3. Brown the meatballs in olive oil for 4 to 5 minutes, until cooked through to 160°F (71°C), then slice or halve them.
4. Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F). Stretch the dough onto a baking tray or pizza pan.
5. Mix the pizza sauce, tomato paste, garlic, basil, oregano and chili flakes, and spread it over the dough.
6. Top with mozzarella, provolone and Parmesan, the sliced meatballs, bell peppers, spinach, basil and Italian seasoning. Brush the crust edge with olive oil.
7. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling. Garnish with basil, parsley and Italian herbs before serving.
Cooking tips
Small meatballs cook faster and sit better on a pizza than large ones.
A hot oven is what gives a crisp base, so preheat fully before the pizza goes in.
Let the pizza rest for a few minutes before slicing so the cheese settles.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use store-bought dough?
Yes. It saves time and works well; let it come to room temperature before stretching.
Can I use frozen meatballs?
Yes. Thaw them first, slice, and brown briefly so they heat through on the pizza.