Once you try this grilled pizza hack, you might never leave home for Pizza Night again. Learn how to grill pizza with this simple trick and become a grilled pizza PRO—on your first attempt. This summer-fun post is sponsored by Crystal Farms® Cheese.
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If you're attempting grilled pizza for the first time, let me be frank:
It can be harder than it looks.
However, we both know that well-made fire-grilled pizza is ahh-mazing and totally worth the extra effort to cook outside on the grill. Today's insanely delicious grilled pizza hack will change your family's Pizza Night forever. (Plus, this technique is so easy and kid-friendly, they'll want to help join in the FUN!)
How to Grill Pizza Perfectly In 3 Steps
Before we share that hack for cooking pizza on the grill, let's review the three components that make for an AWESOME grilled pizza recipe.
1 | CHEESE—When making grilled pizza heap on the delicious, heavenly cheese.
When people think "pizza cheese," they often default to mozzarella. However, too much mozzarella can lead to a rubbery grilled pizza. When attempting this grilled pizza hack, be sure to get yourself an Italian-inspired cheese blend. We love this shredded mozzarella and provolone Pizzeria Blend from Crystal Farms.
Here in Wisconsin, cheese is a big part of our culture. In fact, we even wear it on our heads. (Look for us “Cheeseheads” cheering in the stadiums during football season!) In other words, we take our cheeses very seriously. So, let me share what we've found to be the formula for grilled pizza success:
60% Pizzeria Blend + 20% Parmesan + 20% Romano = PIZZA HEAVEN
If you want your grilled pizza to be amazing, I highly recommend picking up containers of fresh Romano and Parmesan cheese. Yes, you can often find blends that include these combinations, but to make a spectacular grilled pizza, YOU will want to be in control of the cheese ratio. (Plus, leftover Romano and Parm turn plain noodles into a fantastic Pasta Night in a pinch!)
2 | TOPPINGS—Remember, fresh is best when cooking pizza on the grill.
Skip the canned mushrooms. As a general rule of thumb, fresh—as in crisp, flavorful, and delicious—veggies are the way to roll when making a grilled pizza with "the works." Use your Grilled Pizza Night as an opportunity to connect with your family. Slow down and chop fresh veggies TOGETHER. Plus, participating in the prep often makes children much more willing to experiment with new flavors.
My new favorite grilled pizza is topped with Italian sausage, fresh chopped tomatoes, red onion, and one more key ingredient... deli-sliced banana peppers (from a jar). Yep, know when to break the rules, my friend!
3 | SAUCE—Start simple, and then play to create your own grilled pizza recipe.
To keep things simple the first time you make grilled pizza, use pre-made sauce. It will help reduce prep time and frustrations.
As you master the art of grilling pizza, begin to experiment with different sauces. I happen to love Alfredo sauce on grilled pizza. Using a cream-based sauce showcases the fresh veggies, cheese, and smoky grill flavor.
If you're ready to take your grilled pizza to the next level, this is our favorite homemade Alfredo sauce from AllRecipes (4.5 out of 5 stars, 627 reviews).
Grilled Pizza Hack—How to make pizza on the grill SIMPLE
Lean in. I'm about to share the easiest and fastest way to master grilled pizza....
Skip the pizza dough and use pre-made naan flatbread for your grilled pizza crust. (You can usually find naan flatbread in the bakery of your local grocery store near the sourdough and other bake-it-yourself novelty breads.)
Naan's texture, bubbles, and thickness are just right for grilled pizza. Plus, you don't need to worry about pre-baking your crust; it's ready to bake straight out of the package. Top it with sauce, Crystal Farms Cheese, and some fresh veggies, and you've got pizza perfection in minutes!
3 Guidelines For How To Cook Pizza on the Grill
There are three guidelines to follow with this grilled pizza hack:
- Brush the bottom and edges of the naan flatbread with water before adding your toppings. (The moisture will allow a longer grill time and help prevent burning.)
- Pop your topped pizza on a pre-heated grill, and close the lid for the first 3 minutes. (Closing the lid ensures your toppings get cooked and your cheese melts.)
- After the first 3 minutes, open your grill lid to peek at its progress every 60 seconds. Keep a close eye on your grilled pizza; it can overcook quickly.
Beautiful things come in all shapes and sizes, and this is true for pizza, too. Buy a couple of packs of naan flatbread and let your family experiment with different combinations of sauce and toppings to suit their individual tastes. They'll have fun making it just the way they like!
Grilled Pizza Night is sure to bring smiles to your kids' faces (and maybe even some pepperoni smiley faces to their pizzas).
I've spoken so much about my new favorite grilled pizza combo, I want to share the full recipe with you. Here are the printable recipe instructions for this tasty grilled pizza.
The BEST Grilled Pizza Combo
Once you try this grilled pizza hack, you might never leave home for Pizza Night again. Learn how to grill pizza with this simple trick and become a grilled pizza PRO—on your first attempt.
Ingredients
- 4 slices of naan flatbread
- 1 jar of Alfredo sauce
- 8 oz bag of Crystal Farms Pizzeria Cheese Blend
- 5 oz container of Crystal Farms Shredded Parmesan
- 5 oz container of Crystal Farms Shredded Romano
- Italian sausage, cooked
- Deli-style banana peppers
- Fresh tomato, diced
- Red onion, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the grill on high.
- Use a kitchen brush to wet the bottom and edges of the naan flatbread.
- Spread a small amount of Alfredo sauce to the edges of the flatbread.
- Cover generously with Crystal Farms Pizzeria Blend.
- Top with cooked Italian sausage, banana peppers, diced tomatoes, and sliced red onions.
- Cover with Crystal Farms Shredded Parmesan and Romano Cheese.
- Place pizza on the grill either on a ventilated pan or directly on the grate. Close and cook for 3 minutes.
- Continue to check pizza at 60-second intervals until golden brown.
- Serve and enjoy!
Once you try this, you might never leave home for Pizza Night again!
Of course, what makes this (and any grilled pizza recipe) insanely delicious is that aforementioned 60/20/20 CHEESE RATIO. There’s Pizzeria Cheese within the pizza, plus EXTRA Parmesan and Romano sprinkled on top, too.
In the end, what I appreciate most about grilled pizzas is the space in between. Yes, you can fit more than one of these personal-sized pizzas on the grill grate at a time. Nonetheless, I recommend you grill your pizzas one at a time. Why?
Spacing out the pizzas gives you the opportunity to slow down, enjoy the evening with your family, and experiment with each person's customized toppings together...
See the beautiful, bright colors of your fresh veggies—like the pops of color of the blooming flowers.
Feel the shredded cheese between your fingers as it sprinkles down in just the right amount.
Taste and savor each unique hand-made, fire-grilled pizza creation.
Happy easy-cheesy pizza grilling to you and your family!
P.S. A big thanks to Jen & Brian for sharing this amazing combination with our family. We love it!
Psssssst. One, last thing.... Cheesy grilled naan garlic bread is pretty amazing, too. Just sayin'... Nom. Nom. Nom.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Crystal Farms® Cheese. The opinions and text are all mine.The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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