Grilled Pesto Pizza with Quick Homemade Crust: Your Ultimate Summer Recipe

There’s something undeniably magical about pizza. It’s a universal comfort food, a go-to for gatherings, and a blank canvas for culinary creativity. And then there’s pesto – that vibrant, aromatic green sauce, bursting with fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, and Parmesan. Alone, they are champions; together, they create a symphony of flavors that truly elevates the dining experience.

Imagine combining these two culinary stars, but with a twist that makes it even more extraordinary: cooking your pizza directly on the grill. This isn’t just about avoiding heating up your kitchen on a hot summer day (though it’s a huge bonus!). Grilling pizza imparts a unique smoky flavor and an unbeatable crispy-chewy crust that an oven simply can’t replicate. And when it comes to the crust, we’ve got a secret weapon: an incredibly easy, homemade pizza dough that requires minimal kneading and absolutely no rising time. Yes, you read that right – homemade pizza crust in minutes!

Why Grilling Pizza is a Game-Changer

For many, pizza nights involve preheating the oven to a scorching temperature, which can be less than ideal during the warmer months. Grilling your pizza offers a fantastic alternative, providing not only a cooler kitchen but also superior results. The high, direct heat of the grill creates a beautifully charred, blistered crust with a satisfying crunch on the outside and a tender, airy interior. This distinct texture is often difficult to achieve in a conventional home oven.

Beyond the temperature control and texture, grilling infuses your pizza with a subtle smokiness that complements the fresh flavors of pesto and other toppings. It’s an outdoor cooking adventure that’s surprisingly simple and incredibly rewarding. Plus, the speed is astonishing – once the grill is hot, your pizza can be ready in mere minutes, making it perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or impromptu backyard entertaining. If you’ve never tried grilling pizza before, prepare for a revelation that will change your pizza-making game forever.

The Secret to an Amazing, Effortless Pizza Crust

One of the biggest hurdles people face with homemade pizza is the dough. It often seems intimidating, requiring hours of rising and precise kneading. Our homemade pizza crust recipe throws all those worries out the window. This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimum fuss. You’ll only need to knead it for about two minutes – just enough to bring it together and develop a little gluten, but not so much that it becomes a chore.

The real magic? This dough doesn’t require any lengthy rising time. This means you can decide to make pizza for dinner just an hour before you plan to eat, and still enjoy a fresh, delicious, and perfectly textured crust. It’s a double score for convenience and taste! Forget soggy, bland store-bought crusts; this quick homemade version is truly worth the minimal effort and will make you question why you ever bought pre-made dough. Its simple ingredients — yeast, sugar, warm water, flour, salt, and olive oil — combine to form a pliable dough that’s a joy to work with and a delight to eat.

The Irresistible Duo: Pesto and Pizza

Now, let’s talk about the star of the show: pesto. Whether you choose to make your own vibrant homemade pesto (we highly recommend checking out our homemade pesto recipe for an unparalleled fresh taste) or opt for a high-quality store-bought version, its rich, herbaceous notes are the perfect base for this grilled pizza. Unlike traditional red sauce, pesto offers a lighter, brighter flavor profile that truly shines when kissed by the grill’s heat.

For our suggested topping combination, we lean into simple elegance: fresh pesto, thinly sliced ripe tomatoes, and tangy goat cheese. The creamy, slightly tart goat cheese melts beautifully, contrasting with the sweetness of the tomatoes and the robust flavors of the pesto. This trio creates a sophisticated yet comforting pizza that’s incredibly satisfying. However, the beauty of pizza is its versatility! Feel free to customize with your favorite additions. Consider adding grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, black olives, or even a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little kick. The possibilities are endless, but we promise, you won’t be disappointed with the classic pesto, tomato, and goat cheese combination.

Expert Tips for Grilling Your Pesto Pizza

Cooking pizza on the grill is straightforward, but a few tips can ensure a perfect result every time:

1. Preheat Thoroughly: Just like an oven, your grill needs to be hot enough before the pizza goes on. Aim for medium-high heat. This ensures a quick cook and that desirable crispy crust.
2. The Foil Advantage: We recommend placing your pizza dough on foil that has been sprayed with cooking spray. This serves a few purposes: it prevents the dough from sticking to the grates, makes it easier to transfer the pizza on and off the grill, and helps to cook the crust evenly without burning the bottom too quickly. Once the first side is grilled, you can often flip the dough directly onto the grates for even more char, or keep it on the foil for ease.
3. Flip and Top: Grill one side of the crust until it’s golden brown and firm. This creates a sturdy base. Then, carefully flip the crust over (either directly onto the grates or back onto fresh foil if you prefer) and quickly add your pesto, tomatoes, and goat cheese to the cooked side.
4. Monitor Closely: Grills can have hot spots, so keep an eye on your pizza. Rotate it if necessary to ensure even cooking. The pizza cooks quickly, so stay nearby!
5. Doneness Cues: Your pizza is ready when the bottom crust is golden brown and cooked through, and the toppings are heated, the cheese is melted and bubbling, and perhaps slightly caramelized.

This method of grilling results in an evenly cooked pizza with a delightful texture that’s hard to beat. It’s an easy way to enjoy fresh, hot pizza without ever stepping foot inside your kitchen on a beautiful day.

More Delicious Recipes to Try

If you’ve enjoyed this Homemade Pesto Pizza recipe, you’ll love exploring these other grilled and pizza-inspired dishes:

And don’t forget to try our pesto burgers for another delicious way to enjoy the flavors of pesto!

Pesto Pizza on the Grill

Delicious homemade pizza crust cooked on foil right on the grill, then spread with pesto, tomato and goat cheese.

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Course: Main

Author: Jenn

Ingredients

• ▢ CRUST:
• ▢ 1/4- oz package dry active yeast
• ▢ 1/4 tsp sugar
• ▢ 3/4 cup warm water 110 degrees
• ▢ 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1/2 tsp. salt
• ▢ 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• ▢ TOPPINGS:
• ▢ pesto
• ▢ goat cheese
• ▢ tomato sliced thin

Instructions

• Dissolve the sugar and yeast in the warm water in a measuring cup, let rest for 8 minutes.
• In a separate bowl, combine the flour and salt. Pour yeast mixture over flour mixture. Add the olive oil, mix well.
• Place the dough on a floured surface and knead for 2 minutes. You do NOT need to let this dough rise!! (Note: if you want to make extra dough to freeze and use later, roll the extra dough into a ball and place in a freezer bag and freeze. Thaw in the fridge completely and then begin with step four.)
• Pre-heat grill to medium-high heat. Spray two sheets of tin foil with cooking spray. Split the dough in half and place each half on foil. Press or roll the dough into two oval shapes (about 3/8-1/2 inch thick). When rolled, flip dough over to grease the opposite side.
• Place foil on pre-heated grill and cook until bottom of crust is golden brown. Carefully take foil off the grill and flip dough over. Spread pesto on golden brown side of crust. Add sliced tomatoes and top with goat cheese.
• Place foil back on grill and cook until bottom crust is golden brown and toppings are heated through. Take off heat and slice up to serve. Enjoy!!

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A Must-Try for Pizza Lovers

This Grilled Pesto Pizza with its incredibly easy and quick homemade crust is truly a revelation. It brings together the beloved flavors of pizza and pesto with the unique char and speed of grilling. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing alternative to oven-baked pizza, want to keep your kitchen cool during summer, or simply desire a new culinary adventure, this recipe delivers on all fronts.

The satisfaction of creating a delicious meal from scratch, especially one as universally adored as pizza, is immense. And with a dough that requires no rising time and only two minutes of kneading, it’s an accessible project for even the busiest home cooks. So, fire up your grill, gather your ingredients, and prepare to embark on a delightful journey to grilled pizza perfection. You’ll want to make this again and again, discovering new topping combinations each time!