Can’t stand the heat? Get out of the kitchen! Cooking out doesn’t have to be limited to meats and burgers. Try grilled pizza — the easy way!
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You’ve heard that it’s easy to make pizza at home.
You’re wanting to try it. But…it’s so dang hot. You sure don’t want to heat up the kitchen when you could easily just go get a pizza to go.
True. True. But, did you know that you can cook your pizza on your outdoor grill?!
True again! And the result is a delicious, homemade pizza that won’t make you hot under the collar.
And even better? It will cost just a few bucks and taste soooo much better than what the Little Dictator can dish out.
Yep, pizza is one of those things you can make to save yourself some money.
The first time we grilled pizza was about five kids and twelve years ago. It was amazing!
The smoky flavor you typically associate with grilled foods had permeated the crust, the result being an aromatic tomato and cheese combination that was absolutely delicious. Then we didn’t do it again for quite some time….
One of the problems with the method was that it was super time-consuming. The internet said to bake the dough on the grill first, flip it over, add the toppings, and then bake again.
This method, while effective, is a pain in the rear. Especially when you’ve got six kids to feed. Scratch that, even if it’s just a few. I don’t like the fuss.
Making Easy Grilled Pizza
So, when my cousin told me that she didn’t flip her grilled pizza, my ears perked up. Bryan, who loves to grill was happy to experiment and so a new pizza night tradition began.
My cousin forms her pizzas on parchment paper and uses that to transfer her uncooked pizza to the grill. She slips the paper out after a few minutes. This works, but we’ve found we like the ease and convenience of pizza screens.
I use pizza screens when I bake pizza in the oven, so I’m thrilled that I can use the same screens on the grill.
Here’s how to take your pizza pie outside.
Do you need a pizza stone to grill pizza?
No. You don’t even need a pizza stone to bake pizza. I find using a pizza stone to be very cumbersome and annoying. For years I baked pizza on sheet pans, and then later upgraded to pizza screens.
Pizza screens are a great option as they ensure a crisp crust but are also lightweight and easy to store. Spray the screen well with cooking spray and then assemble your pizza right on the screen, taking care not to press the dough into the screen’s openings. Doing so makes it really tough to clean later.
Can I grill a frozen pizza?
You can grill a frozen pizza. However in our testing, we found that, contrary to the frozen pizza box directions, it is best to thaw the pizza before you grill it. Otherwise, you get a burnt pizza bottom before the toppings are heated well enough.
To grill a frozen pizza, remove it from its wrappings while it’s still frozen. Transfer it to a greased pizza screen, and allow it to thaw. Then proceed to grill the pizza.
Can I grill a take-and-bake pizza?
Yes, you can grill a take-and-bake pizza, opening lots of opportunity for very quick, keep-the-heat-outside pizza nights.
Remove the pizza from its packaging and transfer it to a greased pizza screen. Cook the pizza on a hot grill until the crust is crisp and the toppings are hot and the cheese is melted.
How do you grill pizza?
1. Get your pizza dough and toppings ready.
You’ll need a basic pizza dough and your preferred toppings, including pizza sauce, cheese, and other pizza toppings. You can make your dough or buy it ready made at the grocery store. It’s usually in the deli/cheese section.
2. Assemble your pizzas.
Form the pizza crust and place it on a greased pizza screen. Spread the sauce lightly, taking care not to press the dough into the openings of the screen. (Do that and the screen will be a nightmare to clean.)
Add your toppings and cheese.
3. Fire up the grill.
You need a big enough grill to hold one or two pizzas as well as one that gets hot enough. Optimally, you want an oven-like atmosphere in your covered grill, so make sure it can heat up to and stay in the 400 to 500 degree range.
We have a Weber Genesis II that works really well for grilling pizza, but my cousin uses a Big Green Egg.
4. Grill your pizzas.
Once you have the grill hot enough, place your pizzas on the grill. Close the lid and bake for 5 to 7 minutes or until the crust is crisp and the toppings are hot.
There ya go! That’s all there is to it!
How to make homemade pizza inexpensively
All of my recipes are affordable to begin with but there are some things you can do to make sure you’re spending well. Here are some of the strategies you can use to make this recipe more economical:
- Stock up on ingredients when they are on sale. When I find regular kitchen staples on sale, I buy a lot. It’s a great way to save money on your groceries without clipping a single coupon. I’m currently using a price book to track prices and that’s saving me money. In this case, keep an eye on mozzarella cheese as it’s one of the ingredients that can range.
- Make your own dough. Homemade pizza dough takes just a few ingredients so you can make a batch for just a dollar or two.
Tools I use to make grilled pizza easier:
- a bread machine or Kitchenaid mixer to make the dough
- a bench knife to cut the dough into portions
- a large cutting board to roll dough out on
- pizza screens for easier and more effective baking
- pizza cutter to cut it easily after baking
If you prepare this recipe, be sure to share a picture on social media and hashtag it #GOODCHEAPEATS. I can't wait to see what you cook up!
Grilled Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 ball pizza dough for a 16-inch pizza
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 8 oz mozzarella cheese (shredded) (2 cups)
- toppings for pizza
Instructions
- Grease a pizza screen with nonstick cooking spray.
- Form the dough into a 16-inch circle or a size to fit your pizza screen.
- Gently spread the pizza sauce on the dough circle and add the toppings of your choice.
- Heat the grill to at least 400 degrees. Open the grill and place the pizza on the grid. Close the lid and bake 5 to 7 minutes or until the crust is crisp and the toppings are hot.
Notes
- Stock up on ingredients when they are on sale. When I find regular kitchen staples on sale, I buy a lot. It’s a great way to save money on your groceries without clipping a single coupon. I’m currently using a price book to track prices and that’s saving me money. In this case, keep an eye on mozzarella cheese as it's one of the ingredients that can range.
- Make your own dough. Homemade pizza dough takes just a few ingredients so you can make a batch for just a dollar or two.
Nutrition
Andreas Tsaggarides
Hi! Great article! I’ve been grilling pizza on the same weber for some time but always in a baking pan and im not too happy with the results and went and bought pizza screens and thankfully I’ve found you! :). Just a question…do you bake it direct or indirect heat? Thank you very much!
Jessica Fisher
My husband does direct heat, but he controls the temp and limits the time very carefully.
Hannah A.
What grill temperature should we aim for? 500° F…?
Jessica Fisher
I’d say 450 to 500 would be a great target.
Patricia
Hey, I just wanted to say thanks! My husband and I hosted a small gathering of friends this weekend and we tried this. We all had so much fun! It was such a unique way to spend the evening.
Tiffany @ DontWastetheCrumbs
My husband is a pizza “expert” and would love grilled pizza, but we’re still working on that… our grill grates are too wide and the dough falls through, so we may take cooling racks and place those perpendicular so that we have a small grate, instead of a bunch of holes.
I plan to link up a super-easy and versatile marinade for the grill, but thought I’d make a comment until I can post – margarita mix!!
Lucy
Haven’t tried grilling pizza, but this looks amazing and will definitely be on my to-grill list this year! Yum.
Krissa
I love pizza on the grill!
Jessica
As soon as the mercury rises, we cook just about everything on the grill! (No central air=hot kitchen) I haven’t mastered the directly on the grill pizza, but I bring my cast iron skillet out, and put it on the grates with the pizza stone on top. Plus we use the cast iron griddle and skillets for gobs of other goodies, right on the grill.
Diana
We grill pizzas made on tortillas–you don’t have the hassle of crust, and it gets super crispy and delicious. I’ll have to try it this way too, though!
Anna@The DIY Mom
I didn’t realize you could grill homemade pizza. In highschool I worked at an Ace Hardware and a Weber representative came one time and did a demonstration where they grilled everything from frozen pizzas to chocolate chip cookies from store bought dough, but hadn’t ever thought about grilling homemade versions.
Kerry
Grilled pizza has been a staple in our house since a Cooking Light issue featured it in 1998. The toppings have changed over the years, and my sauce has gotten minimalistic. Here it is, if anyone wants a fast, good homemade sauce:
28 ounce can crushed or diced tomatoes
Kosher salt
Fresh or dried oregano
Fresh or dried basil
Red pepper flakes
Pour tomatoes into mesh colander. Sprinkle with kosher salt and let them sit about ten minutes to drain water/juice out.
Put in processor or blender with (approximately) 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, tablespoon of each spice, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (increase to taste).
You can heat up prior to adding to pizza, or put directly on crust on grill. It is a good minimalist sauce that goes great with the rustic taste of grilled pizza, and no sugar/sweet taste that you get on some pizzas. (not a fan of sweet sauce!)
Enjoy!
Kerry
Wendy (The Local Cook)
Thanks for hosting! I’m linking a recipe for sesame garlic glaze, which is awesome on all kinds of meats and greens. Plus, commenters on my post can win a $25 gift card to Sears.
Lisa
Thanks for hosting the link party again! We love to grill, but have never grilled pizza…my husband is always up for trying something new on the grill, so we’re going to try this next week. I linked up with “Joel’s Marinated Chicken”. My uncle grilled it up for our couples’ wedding shower many years ago. We have served this “pink chicken” to dinner guests many times, and without fail, someone asks for the recipe! Enjoy 🙂
Kelly
We LOVE grilled pizzas. We place our dough on a stoneware baking sheet and top before placing on the grill. Our favorites are sausage, jalapeno and banana pepper; another favorite is grilled veggie. We make them year round and almost weekly despite the Indiana weather. Delicious!
Alison
I use a new pizza crust recipe which calls for a prebake. After the prebake you can freeze the crusts easily. Now that it is warmer, I am going to make smaller crusts and freeze them for summer grilled pizza. The biggest hassle on pizza night is the crust (and mess) so I look forward to some easy dinners with the crusts done in advance!
Sarah @ Feed My Family
Alison, What crust recipe are you using? I’m looking to try something new. Thanks!
Alison
http://gnowfglins.com/2010/06/10/sourdough-pizza-crust/
We really like sourdough pizza!
Laura @ Stealthy Mom
We had grilled pizza yesterday! It is interesting how the cooking time varies from grill to grill. I use the charcoal side of our grill and find that I only have five or six minutes per side before the grill marks get dark even when the coals are cooled. I’m going to look for a grill like yours for summer baking because all of last year’s attempts at casseroles, meat loaves and cobblers were best left undocumented.
I shared a tried-and-true recipe for grilled buns. They are great with burgers and for cheese sandwiches the next day.
Thank you for hosting this link-up.
Felicia
Grilling pizza is our new favorite. It is hands down the best way to make it!
Becky
We tried grilling a fresh deli pizza last night on our Weber grill burnt the heck out of the crust. Otherwise the flavor would have been perfect. What did we do wrong? We cooked it for about 5-7 minutes direct method. Should we be grilling the pizza indirect?
Jessica Fisher
Hey Becky! You didn’t mention if this was a gas or charcoal grill. Whichever it is, you’re going to want to have an idea of how hot it is and/or be able to regulate the heat. Our grill has a temperature readout, and my husband cooks the thin crust pizzas for 5 minutes, without opening the lid. It will take some trial and error to find out how long your grill takes to cook the crust. Opening the lid will affect how the toppings cook, so it’s best to leave it closed.
Bryan is happy to help further (he’s the grill master) so just let us know!