This chorizo pizza is an exceptional homemade pizza that balances a touch of heat, savory depth, and a bright, tangy tomato base. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s a perfect option for a quick, satisfying meal. The spicy chorizo sausage combined with fresh toppings transforms a simple pie into something special.
If you prefer to make your own base and sauce, use a reliable homemade pizza dough and a robust tomato sauce. You can choose a classic pomodoro, a punchy arrabbiata, or a roasted red pepper sauce depending on how bold you want the flavor.
⭐️ Why This Chorizo Pizza Recipe Is The Best
- Unique Flavor Profile: Spicy chorizo pairs beautifully with tangy tomato sauce and creamy melted cheese.
- Quick and Easy: A straightforward process delivers a restaurant-quality pizza without a long wait.
- Versatile: Adjust the spice level and swap toppings to suit your taste.
🧾 Ingredients You Need For Chorizo Pizza
- Chorizo Sausage: The star ingredient for its smoky, spicy flavor.
- Tomato Sauce: A tangy base that balances the richness of the meat and cheese.
- Cheese: Melts into a creamy, indulgent layer—mozzarella is classic, but blends work well.
- Red Peppers and Red Onion: Provide crunchy, sweet contrast.
- Cilantro: Adds a fresh finish (optional).
- Pizza base: Store-bought, prebaked, or homemade all work. Naan is a quick shortcut if you need one.
See the recipe card below for exact quantities and full ingredient list.
What type of chorizo is best to use for this pizza?
Dry, cured chorizo that slices like salami or pepperoni works best. It’s typically spicy and garlicky and won’t release as much fat during baking as fresh chorizo. You can find it at most grocery stores or specialty butchers.
Homemade Pizza Dough vs. Prebaked Pizza Dough
Homemade Pizza Dough
- Advantages:
- Customizable: Control thickness, texture, and flavor.
- Freshness: Fresh dough offers a distinctive aroma and taste.
- Considerations:
- Time-Consuming: Requires kneading and rising time. Making a batch is worthwhile because extra bases freeze well for future meals.
How to Use: If you make dough from scratch, allow extra time for rising and then roll it out before following the pizza steps below.
Prebaked Pizza Dough
- Advantages:
- Convenience: Ready to use and saves time.
- Consistent Results: Often yields predictable texture and doneness.
- Considerations:
- Less Customizable: Thickness and flavor are set by the product you buy.
- Shelf Life: Some varieties include preservatives; check expiration dates for best quality.
How to Use: With prebaked dough you can usually skip pre-baking. Add sauce and toppings and reduce baking time according to package instructions.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Try whole wheat or gluten-free dough for a different nutritional profile.
- Substitute chorizo with spicy Italian sausage or pepperoni if preferred.
Additional Toppings to Try
- Sliced black olives
- Diced jalapeños
👩🏻🍳 Step By Step
- Preheat Oven: Heat the oven to 475°F (245°C). For a crisper crust, use a pizza stone placed in the oven while it preheats.
- Prepare Dough: Roll out the dough on a floured surface and move it to a baking sheet or peel. For extra crispiness, pre-bake the base for 3–5 minutes before topping.
- Apply Sauce: Spread tomato sauce evenly, leaving a small border for the crust.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella, arrange chorizo slices, and add vegetables. Precooking fresh chorizo helps control grease.
- Bake: Bake until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. Rotate the pizza halfway through for even cooking. Let rest briefly, then slice and serve.
🍯 Storage
- Fridge: Wrap leftover pizza in foil or plastic and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual slices in a sealed container for up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Warm slices in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 5–10 minutes to revive crispness.
💡 Top Tips
- Choose high-quality ingredients—good chorizo and fresh cheese make a noticeable difference.
- Try mixing cheeses (mozzarella with a little cheddar, gouda, or provolone) to vary flavor and melt.
❓FAQ
Use a milder chorizo or reduce the amount of chorizo on the pizza. You can also choose a mild sausage and season it lightly.
Cured, sliced chorizo typically doesn’t need pre-cooking. Fresh chorizo should be cooked first to render excess fat and ensure it’s fully done.
Yes—feel free to substitute or blend cheeses. Different cheeses will change the flavor and melt characteristics.
Swap in spicy Italian sausage, pepperoni, or a milder sausage with added smoked paprika and garlic to mimic chorizo’s flavor.
Sauces for Pizza
Choose a sauce that complements the chorizo: a classic tomato sauce, a spicy arrabbiata, or a roasted pepper sauce all work well depending on how bold you want the pizza to be.
If you try this recipe, please leave feedback or a rating in the comments—reader notes help refine recipes and inspire new ideas.
Spicy Chorizo Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough, store-bought or homemade
- 1 cup tomato sauce, store-bought or homemade
- 1 to 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 10–20 slices of chorizo sausage (mild or spicy)
- Olive oil for brushing
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (optional)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat to 475°F (245°C). If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven during preheat.
- Roll out the dough: On a floured surface, roll the dough to your preferred thickness and transfer to a peel or baking sheet.
Top the Dough:
- Spread tomato sauce, leaving a small border for the crust.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauce.
- Arrange chorizo slices across the cheese.
- Brush the crust with olive oil and sprinkle oregano and garlic powder if using.
Bake:
- If using a pizza stone: slide the pizza onto the stone and bake 10–12 minutes until golden and bubbly.
- If using a baking sheet: bake 12–15 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
- Remove from the oven, cool slightly, garnish with fresh herbs if desired, slice into 8 pieces, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Pizza Dough: Bring store-bought dough to room temperature before rolling for easier handling.
- Tomato Sauce: Thicker sauce helps prevent a soggy pizza; simmer thin sauces to reduce them if needed.
- Chorizo: Use cured slices for minimal grease. Fresh chorizo should be pre-cooked to avoid excess fat during baking.
- Cheese: Adjust amounts and try blends (cheddar, provolone, or gouda) to vary the flavor.
Nutrition
| Carbohydrates: 29 g
| Protein: 8 g
| Fat: 5 g
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