Gourmet Pizza Classic

Featured in Dinner Ideas That Actually Work.

Sweet and spicy honey on pizza? Yes, with toppings like fresh cheese, Italian meats, and a perfectly cooked crust, it’s a must-try.

Clare Recipes
Updated on Fri, 21 Mar 2025 03:09:28 GMT
A pizza freshly baked with a crunchy crust, layers of cured meats, fresh cheese, and tomato sauce. A dark drink sits nearby. Pin it
A pizza freshly baked with a crunchy crust, layers of cured meats, fresh cheese, and tomato sauce. A dark drink sits nearby. | lilicooks.com

This pie completely changed how I handle my Friday evening meals. Across my small cooking blog, I've put up many food ideas, but this Spicy Honey Pizza topped with Prosciutto and Ricotta adds something truly special. When that fiery sweet honey touches the rich prosciutto and smooth ricotta, you'll get why I can't stop thinking about this mix. Believe me when I say this works amazingly well in both standard home ovens and those fancy backyard pizza setups.

Why This Unique Pizza Stands Out

I found this taste combo at a neighborhood pizza joint and just had to try making it myself. What makes it so good is how the spicy honey creates this amazing sweet kick that works with the salty meats. Now my whole family asks for this whenever we get together, and I totally get why. It's fancy enough when friends come over but also easy enough for just a regular dinner at home.

Your Pizza Ingredient List

  • Pizza Dough: I prefer the Neapolitan kind. Remember to pull it from your fridge so it gets to room temp.
  • Pizza Sauce: My version uses a rich homemade sauce, but honestly, grabbing some from the store works fine too.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Try to get the fresh stuff - it melts way better.
  • Ricotta Cheese: This creates those yummy soft spots that even everything out.
  • Coppa Salami: The taste is amazing, though you can switch to pepperoni if needed.
  • Prosciutto: Adds that perfect salt kick that goes so well with the honey.
  • Hot Honey: Buy it ready-made or mix honey with some apple cider vinegar and chili flakes.
  • Red Onions: You don't have to use them, but I really like the snap they bring.
A gourmet pizza topped with ham, dollops of white cheese, and a drizzle of sauce, served on a wooden board. Pin it
A gourmet pizza topped with ham, dollops of white cheese, and a drizzle of sauce, served on a wooden board. | lilicooks.com

Creating Your Pizza Step by Step

Get That Oven Ready:
My outdoor setup needs to reach 700°F but your kitchen oven works just fine at 550°F with a stone inside.
Shape Your Dough:
Put some flour on your wooden board and stretch the dough into a circle about 11 to 13 inches across.
Layer Everything:
First comes sauce, then pile on the mozzarella, ricotta, prosciutto, coppa, and those tasty onion bits.
Time to Bake:
In an outdoor oven, I turn it every 15 seconds. For home ovens, cook 5 minutes, turn it around, then cook 5 more.
The Final Touch:
The best part - pouring that tasty hot honey all over. A little sprinkle of good salt makes it just right.

Hidden Tricks For Perfect Pizza

After tons of pizza making at home, I've learned that dough at room temp makes cooking so much easier. Cold dough just won't cooperate, but warm dough feels amazing to work with. I always make sure my stone gets really hot. My outdoor setup needs to hit 700°F and I keep my kitchen oven at 550°F for at least 20 minutes before starting. I can't live without my wooden pizza paddle. It doesn't make the dough stick like those metal ones always do.

A freshly baked pizza topped with ricotta, prosciutto, herbs, and drizzled with olive oil, served on a wooden platter. Pin it
A freshly baked pizza topped with ricotta, prosciutto, herbs, and drizzled with olive oil, served on a wooden platter. | lilicooks.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why do doughs need specific heat levels?

It’s all about timing. Quick, hot heat creates the perfect crust for Neapolitan dough, while a gentler bake suits NY dough’s thicker style.

→ How does draining mozzarella affect the pizza?

Extra moisture can make the pizza messy. Removing it keeps the crust crisp while the cheese melts just right.

→ What’s the point of turning the pizza in the oven?

Ovens have hot spots. Rotating your pizza keeps the baking even for a crust that looks and tastes amazing.

→ Why drizzle honey after baking?

Putting it on after baking keeps the honey flavorful while avoiding burnt spots. The sweet-heat balance sticks out best this way.

→ Is a pizza oven absolutely needed?

Nope! A very hot regular oven and a good pizza stone get close. Just allow extra baking time, and you’re good to go.

Conclusion

Traditional pizza lovers, get ready for something extra. Classic techniques and lively flavors blend in this Italian-inspired pizza twist.

Hot Honey Pizza

Fresh mozzarella, ricotta, and cured meats meet spicy-sweet honey for a pizza combo that’s hard to resist.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
2 Minutes
Total Time
7 Minutes
By: Lily Chen

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Difficult

Cuisine: Italian-inspired fusion

Yield: 1 Servings (1 pizza, roughly 12 inches)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

01 1/4 teaspoon flaky salt (optional).
02 1/4 cup ricotta cheese.
03 1/4 cup pizza sauce.
04 2 slices of prosciutto, torn.
05 1 pizza dough ball.
06 4 slices of coppa.
07 1/4 cup mozzarella, fresh.
08 2 tablespoons spicy honey.
09 12 thin strips of red onion.

Instructions

Step 01

Set your pizza oven to 700°F (stone temp) or home oven with a stone at 550°F.

Step 02

Sprinkle flour on the peel and stretch the dough to a 12-inch round.

Step 03

Spread the sauce, then layer mozzarella, ricotta, coppa, prosciutto, and onion.

Step 04

Make sure the pizza slides on the peel. Add more flour if it sticks.

Step 05

Bake for 2 minutes, turning it every 15 seconds to avoid burning.

Step 06

Bake for a total of 10 minutes, turning it halfway through.

Step 07

Drizzle spicy honey, sprinkle the salt, slice into pieces, and enjoy!

Notes

  1. Neapolitan dough works best in pizza ovens.
  2. Be sure to drain mozzarella before adding to the pizza.
  3. Ovens need different temperatures for the perfect bake.

Tools You'll Need

  • Wooden peel for the pizza.
  • Pizza turning peel.
  • A pizza stone for baking.
  • A cutter for slicing.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (ricotta and mozzarella).
  • Contains wheat (flour in pizza dough).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 1315
  • Total Fat: 28 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 227 g
  • Protein: 45 g