Learn how to make grilled pizza to take your pizza from ordinary to extraordinary in minutes! Get restaurant style pizza with a thick, chewy, crispy flavorful crust without the fuss for pizza night!
Pizza Night carves meal planning and preparation time out of my schedule and reallocates it to family time.
Growing up, we often enjoyed Friday night Pizza Night. We not only looked forward to pizza, but an effortless night where we spent time together.
Now as a parent myself I not only look forward to a Friday night of playing fun games with the girls, but to the ease of a simple, delicious dinner after a long week.
We love pizza all year long, but the joy of grilling adds another fun element to a pizza night at home. In fact, we enjoy it three seasons out of the year! If you’re looking for more fun at home, learn how to Host an Outdoor Movie Night.
Why You’ll Love a Pizza Night on the Grill
You can make pizza on the grill in minutes (15 to be exact) using homemade dough, store bought dough or even pizzeria dough! No special stones, pans or tools required.
It’s fun for the whole family. Everyone can customize their own personal pizzas, reducing the workload for you! Don’t miss my easy homemade pizza sauce to make pizza night even more delicious!
Not to mention, when you’re cooking on the grill it’s no fuss, no mess!
Grilling is just better. It gives you restaurant quality pizza for your pizza night, without a lot of effort. An oven is just no comparison for that crunchy, crispy crackling crust we all crave!
Whether using charcoal or gas, the smoke adds incredible wood fired flavor. In addition, the grill gives the crust an unbelievable texture!
Ingredients
- Pizza Dough – Store bought pizza dough works incredibly well. I love Trader Joe’s, and you can also buy a pre-made version from Whole Foods! You can make your own or purchase from your local pizzeria. Most will offer upon request.
- Olive Oil – Gives the crust flavor while preventing it from sticking. It helps the crust crisp while giving it color. You can substitute canola oil or melted butter in a pinch. Enrich the flavor using truffle oil.
Suggested Toppings
- Sauce – Tomato Sauce, Minced Garlic and Olive Oil, Alfredo Sauce or Pesto. Make it spicy with Amatriciana Sauce. Even a drizzle of balsamic or jam!
- Cheese – Mozzarella, burrata, feta, goat cheese (my personal favorite), gorgonzola, parmesan, the options are endless.
- Meat – Sausage, pepperoni, hamburger, salami, prosciutto, guanciale, chicken, meatballs, bacon and more.
- Fruit – Pears, apples, figs, pineapple.
- Veggies – Mushrooms, peppers, caramelized onions, spinach, olives, tomatoes, arugula (best after the “bake”.
How to Make Pizza on the Grill
- Prep – Preheat the grill.
- Roll Dough – Roll it out to the desired shape and size on a floured surface.
- Baste and Cook Dough – Basting it will prevent it from sticking. Cooking directly on the grate gives the crust amazing texture. It also eliminates another pan or stone to clean. When it bubbles up, it’s ready to brush with olive oil and flip.
- Add Toppings To Your Crust – Brush on sauce, add cheese and toppings.
- Enjoy!
When it bubbles up, it’s ready to brush with olive oil and flip.
How to Grill Frozen Pizza
Set the temperature of your grill to the temperature recommended on the box. Close the lid and check in 6-8 minutes. When the crust is crispy and toppings are melted, remove it from the grill and enjoy!
Tips
- Bring Dough to Room Temperature – It makes the dough easy to work with. Allow it to rest 10-20 minutes.
- Lightly Handle Dough – Do not form a ball.
- Be Prepared – Have your toppings prepped because this recipe is QUICK!
- Pre-heat the Grill – This prevents your crust from falling through the grate.
- Pizza Peel – Use a pizza peel for easy removal from grill.
- Have Fun With It – Create your favorite combos!
Stretching Dough
- Using your fingertips, press to flatten the dough into a disc.
- Using the side of the palm of your hands, stretch dough in opposite directions in a circular motion until you have reached the desired size.
- Pick up your dough and stretch by pinching the edges while rotating OR using a rolling pin on a floured surface working from the center.
- Be gentle, avoid removing air pockets.
- If you tear dough, pinch together and try again.
Favorite Pizza Combinations
- Margherita – Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella
- Five Cheese – Olive Oil, Mozzarella, Feta, Goat Cheese, Parmesan
- Goat Cheese, Caramelized Onions and Black Pepper with Olive Oil
- Porky Fig – Fig Jam, Caramelized Onions, Blue Cheese
- Pear, Prosciutto, Fontina and Olive Oil
How to Make Pizza Night Special
This time of year it’s especially enjoyable with beautiful weather to spend time outdoors. I treated our deck like our own little bistro by adding bulb lights to enhance the ambiance.
The simple addition of bulb lights make pizza night feel magical. We hung ours from the house and by attaching 2 poles to the deck railing to string them to.
A simple centerpiece sets the mood and takes just a few minutes! We set the table as a family, adding pumpkins and candlelight to make our time together feel special.
To recreate this simple centerpiece, place the largest candle in the middle and stagger the rest of the pumpkins and candles throughout the table, being mindful of where plates will go to leave plenty of room to dine.
Serving Suggestions
Pizza on the Grill
Ingredients
- pizza crust
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 8 ounces sauce
- 8 ounces cheese
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium high heat.
- On a floured surface, roll out refrigerated dough.
- Brush one side of dough with olive oil. Place that side down and allow to cook for 2-3 minutes, until bubbling.
- Baste the top of the crust and flip and allow to bubble.
- Add sauce, cheese and additional toppings. Close the lid and reduce heat to medium low. Continue to cook about 6-8 minutes, or until toppings are melted.
Julie’s Tips
Substitutions
- Pizza Dough – Store bought pizza dough works incredibly well. I love Trader Joe’s! You can make your own or purchase from your local pizzeria. Most will offer upon request.
- Olive Oil – Gives the crust flavor while preventing it from sticking. It helps the crust crisp while giving it color. You can substitute canola oil or melted butter in a pinch. Enrich the flavor using truffle oil.
Suggested Toppings
- Sauce – Tomato Sauce, Garlic and Olive Oil, Alfredo Sauce or Pesto. Make it spicy with Amatriciana Sauce.
- Cheese – Mozzarella, burrata, feta, goat cheese (my personal favorite), gorgonzola, parmesan, the options are endless.
- Meat – Sausage, pepperoni, hamburger, salami, prosciutto, guanciale, meatballs, bacon, chicken and more.
- Fruit – Pears, apples, figs, pineapple.
- Veggies – Mushrooms, peppers, caramelized onions.
Tips
- Bring Dough to Room Temperature – It makes the dough easy to work with. Allow it to rest 10-20 minutes.
- Lightly Handle Dough – Do not form a ball.
- Be Prepared – Have your toppings prepped because this recipe is QUICK!
- Pre-heat the Grill – This prevents your crust from falling through the grate.
- Pizza Peel – Use a pizza peel for easy removal from grill.
- Have Fun With It – Create your favorite combos!
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Nothing better than pizza night- mom wins with wine and the kids are happy too! And of course your pizza night is gorgeous- what fun!
Thank you, Erin! That’s SO true!
Pizza night is our favorite!! Your table looks amazing!
I love the simplicity of your decor….makes pizza night feel a little extra special. Yay for Pizza Night!
Thank you, Kelly!
Your table looks so inviting! I do love pizza night with the family!
It’s so refreshing after the end of a long week, isn’t it!
This is the cutest setup ever for pizza night! I’m dying over how beautiful everything is
Thank you, Rachael!
Thank you, Rachael! You’re too kind! It was very simple!