• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Good Cheap Eats
  • About
    • Welcome to the Good Cheap Eats Kitchen
    • Media
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure
    • Contact Me
  • Members Only
    • Login
    • Club Homepage
    • Club Resource Library
    • Downloads
    • Live Club Events
  • Recipe Index
  • Recent Posts
  • SHOP
    • Purchases
    • Cookbooks
    • Planner
    • The Good Cheap Eats Club
    • Meal Plans
    • Holiday Helps
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Start Here
  • All Recipes
  • Summer Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
  • Join the Club
  • Cookbooks
  • About
  • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Start Here
    • All Recipes
    • Summer Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Shop
    • Join the Club
    • Cookbooks
    • About
    • Contact Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Kitchen Tips » Grilling

    The Easiest Grilled Pizza You Can Make

    Published: Sep 5, 2019 · Modified: Apr 20, 2021 by Jessica Fisher

    FacebookTweetPinPrint
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more details, please see our disclosure policy.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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!

    carrying pizza to the grill this …

    Want to save this post?

    Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, I'll send you budget recipes and money-saving tips every week!

    Save Recipe

    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.

    grilled pizza on cutting board

    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.

    pizza on the grill uncooked

    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.

    ingredients to make homemade pizza

    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!

    uncooked pizza on the grill

    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

    burrito pizza on the grill

    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!
    uncooked pizza on the grill

    Grilled Pizza

    Bake pizza on the grill for a low-mess, low-heat dinner. This method utilizes pizza screens to make the process quick and easy.
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
    Cuisine: American, Italian, Mediterranean
    Diet: Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 1526kcal
    Author: Jessica Fisher
    Cost: $4

    Ingredients

    • 1 ball pizza dough for a 16-inch pizza
    • ½ cup pizza sauce
    • 8 oz mozzarella cheese (shredded) (2 cups)
    • toppings for pizza
    US Customary - Metric

    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

    Calories: 1526kcal | Carbohydrates: 176g | Protein: 79g | Fat: 64g | Saturated Fat: 29g | Cholesterol: 177mg | Sodium: 3692mg | Potassium: 576mg | Fiber: 16g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 2045IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 1147mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Tell us what you think! Your reviews help us develop better recipes and give newcomers the confidence to try your favorites. Scroll down to leave a starred comment.

    placing a pizza on the grill, with cooked pizza on side

    « Easy Tomato Salad on Toast
    What to Make for Dinner When You Have No Time to Cook »
    FacebookTweetPinPrint

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Andreas Tsaggarides

      August 10, 2020 at 8:27 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        August 10, 2020 at 8:56 am

        My husband does direct heat, but he controls the temp and limits the time very carefully.

        Reply
    2. Hannah A.

      May 24, 2014 at 9:29 pm

      What grill temperature should we aim for? 500° F…?

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        May 24, 2014 at 9:52 pm

        I’d say 450 to 500 would be a great target.

        Reply
    3. Patricia

      May 21, 2012 at 3:11 pm

      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.

      Reply
    4. Tiffany @ DontWastetheCrumbs

      May 17, 2012 at 7:04 pm

      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!!

      Reply
    5. Lucy

      May 17, 2012 at 6:32 pm

      Haven’t tried grilling pizza, but this looks amazing and will definitely be on my to-grill list this year! Yum.

      Reply
    6. Krissa

      May 17, 2012 at 5:29 pm

      I love pizza on the grill!

      Reply
    7. Jessica

      May 17, 2012 at 2:50 pm

      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.

      Reply
    8. Diana

      May 17, 2012 at 10:05 am

      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!

      Reply
    9. Anna@The DIY Mom

      May 17, 2012 at 8:19 am

      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.

      Reply
    10. Kerry

      May 17, 2012 at 7:46 am

      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

      Reply
    11. Wendy (The Local Cook)

      May 17, 2012 at 6:45 am

      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.

      Reply
    12. Lisa

      May 17, 2012 at 4:40 am

      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 🙂

      Reply
    13. Kelly

      May 17, 2012 at 3:35 am

      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!

      Reply
    14. Alison

      May 17, 2012 at 3:13 am

      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!

      Reply
      • Sarah @ Feed My Family

        May 17, 2012 at 12:53 pm

        Alison, What crust recipe are you using? I’m looking to try something new. Thanks!

        Reply
        • Alison

          May 17, 2012 at 2:34 pm

          http://gnowfglins.com/2010/06/10/sourdough-pizza-crust/

          We really like sourdough pizza!

    15. Laura @ Stealthy Mom

      May 16, 2012 at 11:35 pm

      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.

      Reply
    16. Felicia

      May 16, 2012 at 10:26 pm

      Grilling pizza is our new favorite. It is hands down the best way to make it!

      Reply
      • Becky

        July 15, 2020 at 7:22 am

        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?

        Reply
        • Jessica Fisher

          July 15, 2020 at 12:24 pm

          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!

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    jessica from good cheap eats

    Hi, I'm Jessica! I'm a 4x cookbook author and 6x mom. I know what it is to be in a hurry and on a budget. I believe anyone can prepare delicious meals -- no matter what's on their plate. I've been featured on Good Morning America, PBS News Hour, and NBC.

    More about me

    collage of media outlets where good cheap eats has been featured.
    teal graphic with the words, do you know what's for dinner tonight.

    Mexican Food Recipes

    • close up of crockpot enchiladas on a blue plate with fork and salad.
      Easy Crockpot Chicken Enchiladas
    • close up of freezer burrito cut in half in paper-lined basket.
      Easy Freezer Burrito Recipe with Chicken, Beans, & Cheese
    • overhead shot of bowl of salsa verde beef.
      Shredded Salsa Verde Beef (5-Ingredient Recipe)
    • side view of buffalo chicken quesadillas with filling coming out of sides.
      Easy Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas Recipe
    • jar of jalapeño salsa with sliced chiles on top and bunch of cilantro and whole on table beside.
      Easy Homemade Salsa Recipe [VIDEO]
    • spoon of chicken taco soup over the bowl of soup.
      Chicken Taco Soup

    Reader Favorites

    • asian marinated chicken breast sliced on a plate with rice and veg.
      5-Minute Asian Chicken Marinade Recipe
    • close-up of cream of celery soup in a jar with celery leaves behind.
      Homemade Cream of Celery Soup Recipe
    • small glass pitcher of milk on black background.
      20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon
    • with a fork fluffing the baked rice in the pan with steam rising.
      Baked Rice: How to Cook Rice in the Oven
    • green onions added to meal prep salads.
      Meal Prep Salads for Easy Lunches You’ll Want to Eat
    • best pulled pork in a freezer container to freeze.
      Best Pulled Pork Recipe
    jessica from good cheap eats

    Hi, I'm Jessica! I'm a 4x cookbook author and 6x mom. I know what it is to be in a hurry and on a budget. I believe anyone can prepare delicious meals -- no matter what's on their plate. I've been featured on Good Morning America, PBS News Hour, and NBC.

    More about me

    collage of media outlets where good cheap eats has been featured.
    teal graphic with the words, do you know what's for dinner tonight.

    Mexican Food Recipes

    • chicken enchilada bake on plate with side dishes.
      60+ Budget-Friendly Mexican Dinner Ideas
    • close up of chips in black bowl.
      3 Ways to Make Homemade Tortilla Chips
    • the finished plate of loaded nachos.
      Nacho Bar
    • cooked taco meat in oval dish with taco toppings nearby.
      Easy Homemade Taco Meat
    • overhead shot of jalapeno cream cheese dip with sliced jalapeños on top and a spoon twirled in the cheese.
      Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip
    • closeup of Spanish brown rice in white bowl.
      Spanish Brown Rice (Mexican Brown Rice)

    Reader Favorites

    • asian marinated chicken breast sliced on a plate with rice and veg.
      5-Minute Asian Chicken Marinade Recipe
    • close-up of cream of celery soup in a jar with celery leaves behind.
      Homemade Cream of Celery Soup Recipe
    • small glass pitcher of milk on black background.
      20+ Easy Milk Recipes to Use Up the Leftover Gallon
    • with a fork fluffing the baked rice in the pan with steam rising.
      Baked Rice: How to Cook Rice in the Oven
    • green onions added to meal prep salads.
      Meal Prep Salads for Easy Lunches You’ll Want to Eat
    • best pulled pork in a freezer container to freeze.
      Best Pulled Pork Recipe

    Footer

    back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Shipping Policy
    • Return Policy
    • Digital Shop

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Good Cheap Eats