Persian Meat Pizza (Pitzayeh Goosht)

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a shallow baking pan with olive oil.

Roll out the pizza dough to about 0.5 cm thickness. Carefully transfer it to the prepared pan, pressing gently so it fits evenly across the base.

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced meat and chopped onion, cooking until the meat is well browned and the onion is soft and translucent.

Stir in about one cup of water, the tomato sauce, salt, and black pepper. Lower the heat and let the mixture simmer until the liquid evaporates and a thick, flavorful meat sauce forms.

Spread the hot meat mixture evenly over the prepared pizza dough.

Lightly spoon a little extra tomato sauce over the meat, then sprinkle the grated mozzarella evenly on top.

Arrange the sliced green peppers and mushrooms over the cheese, and finish with an even sprinkle of dried thyme.

Place the pan on the lower rack of the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, until the dough is fully cooked from the bottom.

Transfer the pan to the top rack and continue baking for another 15–20 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and lightly golden.

Remove from the oven and serve hot, traditionally presented at the table in the same baking pan.