The Alamo Recipe

Cook and season beef

Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tsp olive oil. Add 0.25 lb ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Sprinkle with 1 tsp kosher salt, 0.25 tsp black pepper, 0.25 tsp garlic powder and 0.25 tsp smoked paprika. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 4–6 minutes. Drain any excess fat, transfer to a small bowl and set aside to cool slightly. You should have about 1/2 cup cooked seasoned beef.

Place a pizza stone or baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 500°F (260°C) for at least 30 minutes. If using a home oven that maxes at 475°F, preheat to that temperature and allow the stone/pan to heat thoroughly.

Lightly dust a pizza peel or the back of a baking sheet with 1 tsp semolina or cornmeal. On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll the dough into a 12-inch round (for the single dough ball). Brush the outer 1/2-inch rim with 1 tbsp olive oil to promote browning.

Spread 3 tbsp pizza sauce over the stretched dough, leaving the oiled rim exposed.

Evenly sprinkle 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella over the sauce, then scatter 0.75 cup shredded pepper-jack on top to provide spice and color contrast.

Evenly distribute the cooked 1/2 cup seasoned ground beef across the pizza in small clusters.

Arrange about 20 pepperoni slices over the cheese, spacing them so each slice shares heat and flavor.

Scatter 1/2 cup thinly sliced onion and the thinly sliced jalapeños (from 3 jalapeños) across the pie. If you prefer less heat, remove jalapeño seeds before slicing.

Transfer the assembled pizza to the preheated pizza stone or baking sheet. Bake at 500°F (or your oven's max) until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbling and slightly blistered, 7–10 minutes on a stone, or 10–14 minutes on a sheet—watch carefully to avoid burning.

If desired, for a slightly charred top, switch to broil for 30–60 seconds while watching closely.

Remove the pizza from the oven and let rest 2 minutes. Drizzle 2 tbsp sriracha over the pizza in a zigzag or concentric pattern to taste. Sprinkle 1 tbsp chopped cilantro or parsley if using.

Slice into 8 slices and serve hot.