Yo, This Pizza’s Got It All
Why Sweet and Spicy Is the Move
Picture this: a pizza that’s sweet, spicy, and cheesy all at once. It’s like a party in your mouth! The hot honey drizzles on like liquid gold, and the Calabrian chili paste brings just enough heat to keep things exciting. I’m obsessed with how these flavors play together—it’s like they’re flirting on the crust. Trust me, one bite and you’re hooked.
What’s So Cool About Calabrian Chili?
Okay, Calabrian chili paste is this magical stuff from southern Italy. It’s got this smoky, spicy kick that’s not gonna burn your face off, but it’s bold enough to make you go, “Whoa!” It’s like the cool cousin of regular hot sauce. Mix it with hot honey, and you’ve got a combo that’s straight-up addictive.
What You’ll Need
The Good Stuff
Here’s what goes into this pizza masterpiece.
✅ Pizza dough—grab some from the store or flex your skills and make it.
✅ Calabrian chili paste for that spicy zing.
✅ Hot honey to sweeten the deal.
✅ Mozzarella cheese, ‘cause duh, it’s pizza.
✅ Soppressata (fancy spicy salami) or ricotta if you’re feeling creamy.
✅ A little lemon zest if you wanna get wild with some citrus vibes. That’s it—simple but epic.
Where to Snag Calabrian Chili Paste
Don’t stress about finding the chili paste. Hit up a good grocery store, an Italian deli, or even Amazon for the real deal. Look for one that’s just chilies, oil, and salt—no weird extras. Hot honey’s easy to find too, or you can DIY it by mixing honey with a pinch of chili flakes. Get the good stuff, and your pizza’s gonna sing.
How It All Comes Together
Servings and Timing
This makes two medium pizzas, enough for 4-6 people (or 2 if you’re starving). It takes about 20 minutes to prep, 15 to cook each pizza, so you’re eating in under an hour. Perfect for a chill Friday night or impressing your friends without breaking a sweat.
Quick Rundown
You’re basically stretching dough, slapping on toppings, and cranking your oven to super-hot. If you’ve got a pizza stone, use it for that crispy crust. It’s quick, but you gotta stay on top of it ‘cause that high heat works fast.
Let’s Make This Pizza!
Get That Dough Ready
Grab your dough and split it into two chunks. Stretch it out into 12-inch circles on a floured counter—don’t roll it, or you’ll squish all the fluffy goodness. Pop it onto a baking sheet or a hot pizza stone if you’re feeling pro. This is your canvas, so make it nice.
Pile on the Yum
Spread a tablespoon of Calabrian chili paste on each dough—easy does it, it’s spicy! Sprinkle on a cup of mozzarella, then add some soppressata slices for that pepperoni-ish vibe or little scoops of ricotta for creamy dreamy. Drizzle two tablespoons of hot honey, and if you’re feeling fancy, toss on a pinch of lemon zest. It’s like building a flavor skyscraper.
Bake It ‘Til It’s Perfect
Crank your oven to 500°F and slide that pizza in. It’ll take 12-15 minutes to get all golden and bubbly. Spin it halfway so it cooks even. When it’s done, hit it with a tiny extra drizzle of hot honey and a dab of Calabrian chili paste for that wow factor. Slice it up and try not to drool.
Pro Tips to Nail It
Keep the Flavors in Check
Calabrian chili paste can sneak up on you, so start with a little and taste as you go. Hot honey’s sweet, but some brands are sweeter than others are spicier—give it a taste-test. Soppressata’s salty, so don’t overdo the salt. If you’re using ricotta, maybe sprinkle a pinch of salt on it. Basically, taste everything and make sure it’s not a spice or sugar overload.
Make It Crispy
You want a crust that crunches, so let your oven get crazy hot for like 45 minutes if you’re using a stone. Dust some cornmeal or flour under the dough so it doesn’t stick. For soppressata, lay the slices so they curl up and get those crispy edges. Ricotta? Keep the dollops small so it doesn’t make your pizza soggy. Boom, texture heaven.
What’s in It for You?
How Many Calories We Talkin’?
Each slice (16 slices total) is about 250 calories with soppressata’s, or 230 with ricotta. Not too crazy for something this tasty. Hot honey and Calabrian chili paste don’t add much, but they make every bite pop.
The Nutrition Lowdown
Per slice with soppressata: 12g fat (5g saturated), 25mg cholesterol, 600mg sodium, 28g carbs (1g fiber, 4g sugar), 10g protein. Ricotta’s a bit lighter: 10g fat (4g saturated), 20mg cholesterol, 500mg sodium, 27g carbs (1g fiber, 4g sugar), 9g protein. Eat a couple slices and you’re good—no guilt here.
What to Serve With It
Drinks That Slap
Grab a cold rosé—it’s crisp and cuts through the spice like a champ. Beer? Go for a light pilsner or a hoppy IPA to match the Calabrian-chili’s kick. If you’re not drinking, sparkling water with a lemon slice or a tangy kombucha works awesome. Whatever you sip, it’s gonna vibe with this pizza.
Sides to Round It Out
Throw together a quick arugula salad with a squeeze of lemon to keep things fresh. Roasted veggies like zucchini or eggplant feel super Italian and cozy. Or go all out with some olives or a little cheese board if you’re feeling extra. It’s like a mini feast.
Wrapping It Up
Why This Pizza Rules
This Calabrian chili and hot honey pizza is straight-up magic. It’s got that sweet-spicy thing going on, and every bite feels like a hug from Italy with a little sass. It’s easy enough for a lazy night but fancy enough to make your friends think you’re a chef.
Go Wild and Make It Yours
Don’t just stick to the script—have fun! Swap soppressata for some prosciutto or try gorgonzola instead of ricotta. Toss on some figs for extra sweetness or arugula for a peppery kick. Calabrian-chili paste is your playground, so mess around and see what you love. Then invite me over for a slice, yeah?
you may like it
