Calabrian Chili Roasted Red Pepper Pizza.
Calabrian Chili Roasted Red Pepper Pizza features a bold, vibrant flavor combination of smoky, spicy Calabrian chilis and sweet roasted red peppers atop a crispy, chewy pizza crust. Layered with creamy fresh mozzarella, aromatic garlic, and finished with fresh herbs and olive oil, this pizza balances heat and sweetness for a visually stunning and deliciously memorable meal that’s easy to prepare and customizable to your taste and dietary needs.
- Author: Lucas
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 1 12-inch pizza (4 servings)
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free dough substitution)
Base Ingredients
- Pizza dough: 1 ball (store-bought or homemade)
- Olive oil: 2 tablespoons (plus extra for drizzling)
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
- Black pepper: 1/4 teaspoon
Toppings
- Roasted red peppers: 1 cup sliced (jarred or homemade)
- Calabrian chili paste or flakes: 2 tablespoons (adjust to taste)
- Fresh mozzarella cheese: 8 ounces, sliced
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
- Fresh basil or parsley: 1/4 cup torn leaves
- Prepare the Dough: Roll out your pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness. For a crispier crust, roll thin; for a chewier base, keep it thicker.
- Spread the Calabrian Chili Base: Evenly spread a thin layer of Calabrian chili paste or sprinkle Calabrian chili flakes mixed with a touch of olive oil across the rolled-out dough to ensure a signature spicy kick in every bite.
- Add Roasted Red Peppers and Garlic: Distribute sliced roasted red peppers evenly over the chili base, then sprinkle the minced garlic to add aromatic depth that complements the spicy and sweet flavors.
- Top with Mozzarella Cheese: Scatter fresh mozzarella slices across the pizza, allowing the cheese to melt during baking forming a creamy contrast to the spicy peppers.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the pizza on a preheated pizza stone or baking sheet in a preheated oven at 475°F (245°C). Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs and Olive Oil: Remove the pizza from the oven and garnish with torn fresh basil or parsley. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil to brighten and unify the flavors.
Notes
- Use high-quality ingredients like fresh roasted peppers and authentic Calabrian chili paste for the best flavor.
- Let the dough rise slowly in the refrigerator overnight for improved texture and flavor.
- Avoid overloading the pizza with toppings to prevent soggy crust.
- Preheat your oven thoroughly to achieve a crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese.
- Adjust the amount of Calabrian chili paste or flakes gradually to suit your heat tolerance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 pizza
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Calabrian chili pizza, roasted red pepper pizza, spicy pizza, Italian pizza, homemade pizza, gluten-free pizza option, spicy roasted pepper pizza