Calabrian Chili Roasted Red Pepper Pizza.
The Calabrian Chili Roasted Red Pepper Pizza offers a bold and vibrant flavor profile that perfectly balances smoky sweetness with spicy heat. Featuring fiery Calabrian chili peppers, luscious roasted red peppers, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil, this recipe delivers a crispy crust and a delightful combination of textures. Ideal for spice lovers and those seeking a unique twist on classic pizza, it’s easy to prepare and customizable to your preferred heat level.
- Author: Kaeli
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 1 12-inch pizza (serves 2-3) 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free
Base Ingredients
- 1 pizza dough (store-bought or homemade, enough for one 12-inch pizza)
- 2 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Toppings
- 3–4 Calabrian chili peppers, sliced (adjust to taste)
- 1 cup roasted red peppers, sliced
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Handful of fresh basil leaves
Seasoning
- Sea salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Dough: Allow your pizza dough to rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to relax the gluten. This will make the dough easier to stretch and result in a light, airy crust.
- Preheat and Roast: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you don’t have pre-roasted red peppers, roast fresh red peppers under the broiler until charred and softened, then peel and slice them thinly.
- Assemble the Pizza: Stretch your dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or pizza stone. Brush the surface lightly with olive oil and spread minced garlic evenly over the dough. Arrange the sliced roasted red peppers and Calabrian chili peppers over the top according to your desired spice level, then sprinkle evenly with mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese melts into bubbly perfection.
- Final Touches: Remove the pizza from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste before serving.
Notes
- Use a pizza stone or steel if available to achieve a crispier crust by distributing heat evenly.
- Don’t overload the pizza with too many toppings to avoid sogginess; balance peppers and cheese thoughtfully.
- Adjust the quantity of Calabrian chili peppers cautiously, starting with less and adding more to suit your heat preference.
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients like fresh basil and good olive oil for enhanced flavor.
- Ensure the dough is rested properly before stretching to improve texture and elasticity.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/3 pizza
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
Keywords: Calabrian chili, roasted red pepper, spicy pizza, Italian pizza, homemade pizza, bold flavor, easy pizza recipe