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Restaurants›Mama Stortini's Restaurant & Bar›Smoky Cheddar Bbq Pizza Recipe

Smoky Cheddar Bbq Pizza Recipe

Name: Mama Stortini's Restaurant & Bars Smoky Cheddar BBQ Pizza Recipe
Cook time: 2 h 30 min
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 piece pizza dough (store-bought or homemade, about 12" round); 2 tbs all-purpose flour (for dusting); 1 tbs olive oil (for brushing crust); 1 lb beef chuck or brisket, trimmed and cut into 2" pieces; 1 tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 3 clove garlic cloves, minced; 1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped; 1 cup beef broth; 1 cup bbq sauce (sweet & smoky style); 1 tbs apple cider vinegar; 1 tbs brown sugar; 1 tbs vegetable oil; 1.5 cups smoked cheddar, grated; 1 cup mozzarella, shredded (optional, for meltiness); 4 strip bacon strips, cooked crisp and roughly chopped; 2 piece jalapeño peppers, thinly sliced (remove seeds to reduce heat); 2 tbs hot honey; 2 tbs fresh cilantro or parsley (optional, for garnish); 0.5 tsp coarse sea salt or finishing salt; 0.25 tsp cracked black pepper

Inspired by Mama Stortini's Restaurant & Bar

Time2h 30m

Serves4

tender braised beef and smoked cheddar over sweet and smoky bbq sauce, topped with jalapeños and bacon with a drizzle of hot honey

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Ingredients

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Pizza Dough & Assembly

1 piece pizza dough (store-bought or homemade, about 12" round)

2 tbs all-purpose flour (for dusting)

1 tbs olive oil (for brushing crust)

Braised Beef

1 lb beef chuck or brisket, trimmed and cut into 2" pieces

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp Black pepper, freshly ground

1 tsp Smoked paprika

3 clove Garlic cloves, minced

1 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped

1 cup beef broth

1 cup bbq sauce (sweet & smoky style)

1 tbs Apple cider vinegar

1 tbs Brown sugar

1 tbs Tuscany sunflower oil

Cheese & Toppings

1 1/2 cups smoked cheddar, grated

1 cup mozzarella, shredded (optional, for meltiness)

4 strip bacon strips, cooked crisp and roughly chopped

2 piece jalapeño peppers, thinly sliced (remove seeds to reduce heat)

2 tbs hot honey

2 tbs fresh cilantro or parsley (optional, for garnish)

Finish & Seasoning

1/2 tsp coarse sea salt or finishing salt

1/4 tsp Cracked black pepper

Method

Braised Beef

Season and sear

Pat the beef pieces dry and season evenly with kosher salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a heavy ovenproof skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the beef on all sides until browned, about 2–3 minutes per side. Remove beef and set aside.

Sauté aromatics

Reduce heat to medium. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan and sauté until softened and fragrant, about 4 minutes, scraping up browned bits.

Deglaze and braise

Add the beef back to the pot. Pour in the beef broth, 1/2 cup of the BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Bring to a simmer, cover, and braise on low on the stovetop or in a 325°F (160°C) oven until the beef is tender and easily shredded, about 1.5–2 hours. Check liquid halfway and add a few tablespoons of water or broth if it looks dry.

Shred and finish

Remove beef pieces and shred with two forks. Return shredded beef to the braising liquid. Stir in the remaining 1/2 cup BBQ sauce and simmer uncovered for 8–10 minutes to thicken and coat the beef. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Keep warm while preparing pizza (or refrigerate if making ahead).

Prepare Dough & Oven

Place a pizza stone or inverted heavy baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 500°F (260°C) for at least 30 minutes. If using a lower-temp oven, preheat to 475°F (245°C).

On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll the pizza dough to a 12" round. Transfer to a pizza peel or an inverted baking sheet dusted with flour or cornmeal to prevent sticking. Dock the dough lightly with a fork if you prefer fewer large bubbles.

Lightly brush the outer 1/2" rim of the dough with olive oil for a golden crust.

Assemble Pizza

Spread a thin, even layer (about 1/2 cup) of the sweet & smoky BBQ sauce over the stretched dough, leaving the oiled rim bare. Reserve any extra sauce for serving.

Evenly distribute the shredded braised beef across the sauced dough (use about 1 to 1 1/4 cups shredded beef depending on preference).

Sprinkle the smoked cheddar evenly over the beef, then add the mozzarella if using to improve melt and stretch. Scatter the cooked, chopped bacon and thinly sliced jalapeños over the cheese.

Finish with a light sprinkle of coarse sea salt and cracked black pepper over the toppings.

Bake & Finish

Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone or baking sheet. Bake until the crust is deeply golden and cheese is bubbling and slightly blistered, 8–12 minutes depending on oven temperature and stone heat. Rotate once halfway through baking for even browning.

Remove the pizza from the oven and let rest 2 minutes. Drizzle the hot honey evenly over the pizza (about 2 tablespoons) in a light zigzag. Sprinkle chopped cilantro or parsley if using.

Slice and serve immediately, passing extra BBQ sauce and hot honey on the side if desired.