Calabrese Pizza

Spicy calabrese pizza is everything you've ever wanted in a spicy pizza. The calabrian chile paste, gooey mozzarella and provolone, spicy salami, and charred bubbly crust will take your homemade pizza game to the next level.

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Calabrese pizza is the pizza for spice lovers. If you’ve never had calabrian chile paste and you like heat, you’re in for such a treat. I discuss them in more detail further in the post, but just know they’ve got a great kick and the chili paste is smoky, a little fruity and balanced with the tiniest touch of vinegar to get all of the flavors to pop. 

What I love most about it, though, is that’s it. Most chile pastes add in other flavors (like a lot of garlic) that I don’t necessarily want. This paste is just really great spicy chiles.

Double my favorite bubbly, crispy pizza dough recipe and throw an Italian pizza party (I love to make a wild mushroom pizza and simple burrata pizza for variety). So delicious!

how to make calabrese pizza:

1. Shape pizza dough into a 12-inch round.
2. Spread with pizza sauce.
3. Sprinkle with shredded provolone and torn mozzarella.
4. Dollop with calabrian chile paste.
5. Top with calabrese salami.
6. Bake on a pizza steel or pizza stone at 500°F until bubbly and charred in spots.
7. Sprinkle with rosemary leaves, slice and enjoy!

what are calabrian chiles?

Calabrian chiles are a staple of southern Italy, grown and produced in the region of Calabria-- the “toe” of the boot of Italy. There are several varieties that vary in heat, but in general the peppers have a smoky, fruity, spicy flavor profile. We find them to have a wonderful balance of heat, with a warm burn that is present but not overpowering. 

Because calabrian chiles are grown in Italy, they are mostly available in a preserved form rather than fresh. The most common ways to purchase the chiles are whole and packed in oil or vinegar, dried, or crushed into a paste. And these are all great options, because then you have access to their delicious spicy flavor from the convenience of your pantry!

where can I buy calabrian chile paste?

You can find calabrian chile paste very easily online, right here.

But they're also at most specialty food stores in person. That being said, it probably won’t be carried at your local grocery store. I tend to opt for online shopping whenever possible (hello, 3 kids under 3 ½), and they've been easy to find. I do know Williams-Sonoma makes their own, Sur La Table does not currently carry any, and Delallo Foods makes a chopped and whole pepper option.

Personally though, I love the Tutto Calabria brand, which has an amazing variety of options when it comes to calabrian chiles. They offer the chiles whole, sliced, crushed and as a calabrian chile paste (my favorite).

They even offer dried options from ground powder, flakes, spice blends, infused chili oil and a hot honey! I’m not sponsored by them (I wish!) but I do just love their focus and commitment to quality. And with all of bizarre products and carriers on Amazon, it’s always helpful to know about a reliable brand you can count on.

what is calabrese salami?

Calabrese salami is a large, dry-cured pork sausage that is seasoned with spicy chiles. Smoked paprika is sometimes included in the flavoring, so the salami is a delicious blend of sweet, spicy and porky.

Get the pre-sliced kind if you can-- not only does it make life easier, but the extra thin consistency (which is virtually impossible to achieve at home) gets perfectly crisp edges on top of the calabrese pizza. 

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Recipe originally posted on April 11, 2022. Updated on July 11, 2025.