Grilled pizza is a delicious and creative take on traditional oven-baked pizza, offering a crispy, slightly charred crust infused with a smoky flavor that’s hard to replicate indoors. Whether you’re using a gas or charcoal grill, this method transforms your favorite pizza ingredients into a rustic, flame-kissed dish perfect for summer cookouts, casual weeknight dinners, or gatherings with friends and family.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Grilled pizza stands out for its unique texture and flavor profile, making it a must-try for pizza enthusiasts. Here’s why this recipe is worth adding to your repertoire:
- Smoky, Crispy Crust: The grill imparts a delightful char and crispiness to the dough, creating a flavor and texture that an oven simply can’t match.
- Quick and Easy: No need to wait for the oven to preheat—your grill heats up quickly and cooks the pizza in minutes.
- Customizable: From classic Margherita to gourmet combinations, you can tailor the toppings to suit your tastes.
- Interactive and Fun: Perfect for pizza nights with loved ones, where everyone can assemble their own creations.
- Versatile Cooking Method: Works equally well on gas or charcoal grills, and even indoors with a grill pan (though outdoor grilling offers the best smoky aroma).
Ingredients You’ll Need
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Dough:
- Pizza Dough: Use store-bought for convenience or homemade for a personal touch.
- Olive Oil: Brushed on the dough to prevent sticking and enhance flavor.
For the Toppings:
- Pizza Sauce: Choose from classic tomato-based sauce, pesto, white sauce, or even BBQ sauce for variety.
- Cheese: Shredded mozzarella is a classic choice, but feel free to experiment with provolone, fontina, goat cheese, or blue cheese.
- Toppings: Customize with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, olives, cherry tomatoes, or fresh herbs like basil or arugula.
- Cornmeal or Flour: Used for dusting the dough to prevent sticking during preparation.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Grill
Heat your grill to medium-high (around 450°F). Clean the grates thoroughly and oil them generously to prevent the dough from sticking.
Step 2: Shape the Dough
On a lightly floured surface, roll or stretch the dough into a thin, even round or rectangle. Sprinkle cornmeal on a baking sheet or pizza peel to keep the dough from sticking as you transfer it to the grill.
Step 3: Oil the Dough
Lightly brush one side of the dough with olive oil. This helps achieve a golden, crispy crust and prevents sticking to the grill grates.
Step 4: Grill One Side
Place the oiled side of the dough directly onto the hot grill grates. Close the lid and let it cook for 2–3 minutes, or until the bottom is lightly browned, puffed up, and has distinct grill marks.
Step 5: Flip and Add Toppings
Using tongs or a spatula, carefully flip the dough over. Quickly spread a thin layer of sauce, followed by cheese and your desired toppings. Work efficiently to prevent the dough from burning.
Step 6: Finish Grilling
Close the grill lid and cook for another 3–5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the bottom of the crust is crispy with attractive char marks.
Step 7: Serve
Remove the pizza from the grill and let it cool slightly. Top with fresh basil or arugula for a burst of color and flavor, then slice and serve immediately.
Customization Tips
- White Pizza: Swap red sauce for olive oil, minced garlic, and creamy ricotta or goat cheese.
- Pesto Pizza: Use pesto as the base and top with grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella.
- Spicy Pizza: Add sliced jalapeños, hot honey drizzle, or crushed red pepper flakes for a kick.
- Veggie Pizza: Load up with grilled zucchini, eggplant, roasted red peppers, or caramelized onions for a meat-free option.
- BBQ Chicken Pizza: Spread BBQ sauce on the dough, then top with shredded chicken, red onions, cilantro, and mozzarella.
Why You Should Try This Recipe
Grilled pizza is more than just a meal—it’s an experience. The smoky aroma, crispy crust, and endless topping possibilities make it a standout dish for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or enjoying a cozy night in, grilled pizza adds a fun and interactive element to your meal. Plus, it’s a great way to experiment with flavors while keeping things simple and delicious.
Serving and Storage Tips
Serving Suggestions:
- Pairing Ideas: Serve grilled pizza with a side salad, roasted vegetables, or a light soup for a complete meal.
- Garnishing: Add fresh herbs like basil, arugula, or parsley after grilling for a pop of freshness.
- Condiments: Offer hot honey, balsamic glaze, or extra olive oil for dipping or drizzling.
Storage Tips:
- Cool Down: Allow leftover slices to cool completely before storing to prevent sogginess.
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: While not ideal for reheating, you can freeze uncooked dough or pre-grilled crusts for future use.
Reheating Tips:
- Reheat on a skillet or grill over medium heat for 2–3 minutes per side to restore crispiness.
- Alternatively, warm in the oven at 375°F for 5–7 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the crust soggy.
Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
- 4 large bell peppers (any color) (halved lengthwise, seeds removed)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef or thinly sliced steak (ribeye or sirloin)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 1 small green bell pepper (diced)
- 1 cup mushrooms (sliced, optional)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- to taste salt and black pepper
- 6 slices provolone cheese (or 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the halved bell peppers in a baking dish, cut side up. Bake for 10 minutes to slightly soften them.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and mushrooms (if using). Cook for 5–6 minutes until softened.
- Add the ground beef or steak slices to the skillet. Cook until the meat is browned and cooked through, breaking it up if using ground beef. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Stir in the garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1–2 more minutes to combine flavors.
- Remove the pre-baked bell peppers from the oven. Fill each pepper with the beef and vegetable mixture. Top with a slice of provolone cheese or a generous sprinkle of shredded mozzarella.
- Return the stuffed peppers to the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley if desired. Pair with a fresh salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
Nutrition
FAQs
- Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Yes, store-bought dough is convenient and works perfectly for this recipe. - Do I need a pizza stone?
No, you can grill the dough directly on clean, oiled grill grates. However, a pizza stone can help distribute heat evenly if you prefer. - Can I use a gas or charcoal grill?
Both work well—charcoal adds a deeper smoky flavor, while gas offers better temperature control. - How do I keep the dough from sticking?
Use plenty of flour or cornmeal when shaping the dough, and oil the grill grates thoroughly before cooking. - Can I grill frozen pizza dough?
It’s best to thaw the dough completely before grilling to ensure even cooking. - Can I make grilled pizza without cheese?
Absolutely! Go dairy-free or use plant-based cheese alternatives if desired. - What’s the best cheese for grilled pizza?
Mozzarella is classic, but provolone, fontina, goat cheese, or blue cheese add unique flavors. - Can I cook the pizza indoors on a grill pan?
Yes, a cast iron grill pan can mimic grill marks, though you’ll miss out on the authentic smoky flavor. - Is grilled pizza good for meal prep?
You can grill the dough ahead of time, then add toppings and reheat when ready to serve. - Can kids help with grilled pizza?
Definitely! Let them assemble their own pizzas while an adult handles the grilling part.
Conclusion
Grilled pizza is a fun, flavorful twist on a beloved classic that’s easy to make and endlessly customizable. With its crispy, smoky crust and gooey, melty toppings, it’s perfect for outdoor gatherings, casual dinners, or even themed pizza nights. Once you try this method, you might never go back to traditional oven-baked pizza again. Fire up the grill and enjoy the irresistible combination of flame-kissed crust and your favorite toppings today!
This Grilled Pizza is a fun, smoky twist on classic pizza that’s perfect for summer nights or weekend cookouts. The crust gets crispy and lightly charred on the grill, while your favorite toppings bubble to perfection. It’s customizable, quick to cook, and way easier than you’d think!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 23 minutes
Yield: 2–3 servings (1 large pizza)
Category: Main Course
Method: Grilling
Cuisine: Italian-American
Recipe Card
Ingredients
(Scale: 1x | 2x | 3x)
For the Dough:
- 1 lb pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing)
For the Toppings (customize to your liking):
- ½ cup pizza sauce (tomato-based, pesto, or white sauce)
- 1–1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup sliced cherry tomatoes
- ¼ cup sliced red onion
- ¼ cup sliced olives or mushrooms
- Fresh basil or arugula, for topping after grilling
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 450°F). Clean and oil the grates well.
- Roll out or stretch the pizza dough on a floured surface into a 10–12 inch round or oval shape.
- Lightly brush one side of the dough with olive oil.
- Place the dough oil-side down directly on the grill grates. Close the lid and grill for 2–3 minutes, until bubbles form and grill marks appear.
- Flip the dough using tongs or a spatula. Quickly spread sauce, cheese, and your toppings on the grilled side.
- Close the lid and grill for another 3–5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the crust is cooked through.
- Remove from grill, top with fresh basil or arugula, slice, and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use a pizza stone on the grill for a more even crust if preferred.
- Pre-cook any toppings that take longer to cook (like sausage or raw mushrooms).
- Grilled pizza cooks fast—have all your toppings prepped and ready.
- Try white sauce, pesto, or BBQ sauce for fun variations.
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