Grilled Pizza: Two Ways!

Top: Goat Cheese, Chicken and Roasted Pepper Pizza; Bottom: Sausage and Mushroom Pizza

When I told my husband that I wanted to grill our pizza for dinner, he gave me a big...HUH?! I was a little nervous too...I'll admit I'm not the grill master of the household.  Little did we know that it would be so easy and delicious!  My brother-in-law was coming over for the evening, so I knew that I wanted to make something that would challenge his taste buds.  He's the "Mikey" of the family that sticks to his bachelor food and doesn't like to stray from the traditional "meat and potatoes" that he so often loves.  

I made an easy to please "guy pizza" with sausage, pepperoni and mushrooms, but my "girl pizza" was the one that stole the show.  Had I told Gage's brother that he was eating goat cheese, I'm positive he would have politely pushed his girl pizza away and gone straight for the more manly option, but sometimes silence is golden.  He always keeps an open mind and tries whatever I make, as long as I don't disclose too many of the adventurous ingredients.

I hope you get a chance to try and grill your pizza crust soon!  It is so quick, easy and tasty, I don't think I'll go back to the traditional method of par-baking and oven-finishing ever again.  This was just too much fun!

Grilled Goat Cheese, Chicken and Roasted Pepper Pizza

Prep Time: 20 minutes / Cook Time: 20 minutes / Servings: 4

Ingredients:

Grilled Goat Cheese, Chicken and Roasted Pepper Pizza

• 1 Ready to bake pizza dough ( I use Trader Joe's)
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh Rosemary
• 4 tbsp. olive oil
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 chicken tenders
• 4 tsp. garlic powder
• 6 oz. soft goat cheese
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup jarred roasted peppers in olive oil, chopped
• 5 large basil leaves, chopped
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Pre-heat outdoor grill to high heat.
2. Set the pizza dough out on a lightly floured surface and let it sit for about 20 minutes.  
3. Work in the rosemary and 2 tbsp. olive oil in with your hands until combined.  Flour the dough and roll it out onto a flat surface until the dough is at desired shape and thickness. Brush with 1 tbsp. olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Place the dough on the grill, oiled side up, cover and cook on high heat for 2-3 minutes.  Turn the dough over and cook another 2 minutes.  Remove from the heat and place on a flat cookie sheet or baking stone.
5. In a large skillet, heat remaining 1 tbsp. olive oil on high heat. Add chicken, 1tsp. garlic powder and season with salt and pepper.  Reduce heat to medium and cook chicken for 5-7 minutes until browned on both sides.  Remove from heat, chop into small pieces and set aside.
6. In a large mixing bowl, combine goat cheese, milk and remaining 3 tsp. garlic powder.  Season with salt and pepper. Stir until ingredients are combined and a smooth, thick sauce is formed.
7. Spoon or brush the goat cheese sauce evenly onto the pizza crust.  Top with the chopped chicken, chopped roasted peppers, chopped basil leaves and shredded Parmesan cheese.  
8. Place the cookie sheet or baking stone back on the grill with the pizza, cover and cook on high heat for about 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted.  Remove from heat, allow to cool for 5 minutes, slice and serve.

Grilled Sausage and Mushroom Pizza

Prep Time: 20 minutes / Cook Time: 20 minutes / Servings: 4

Ingredients:

Grilled Sausage and Mushroom Pizza

• 1 ready to bake pizza dough (I use Trader Joe's)
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1/4 cup all-purpose 
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 4 oz. ground sweet Italian Sausage
• 4 oz. sliced pepperoni
• 2 cups sliced white mushrooms
• 1 1/2 cups shredded four cheese Italian blend
• salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Pre-heat outdoor grill to high heat.
   
2. Set the pizza dough out on a lightly floured surface and let it sit for about 20 minutes.
3. Flour the dough and roll it out onto a flat surface until the dough is at desired shape and thickness. Brush with 1 tbsp. olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Place the dough on the grill, oiled side up, cover and cook on high heat for 2-3 minutes.  Turn the dough over and cook another 2 minutes.  Remove from the heat and place on a flat cookie sheet or baking stone.
5. In a large skillet, cook the sausage and mushrooms on high heat for 7-10 minutes, until the liquid has evaporated from the mushrooms and the sausage is browned.  Remove from the heat and set aside.
6. Spoon or brush the marinara sauce evenly onto the pizza crust.  Top with 1/2 of the cheese, then the pepperoni, sausage and mushrooms next, and finally the remaining 1/2 of the cheese.
7. Place the cookie sheet or baking stone back on the grill with the pizza, cover and cook on high heat for about 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted.  Remove from heat, allow to cool for 5 minutes, slice and serve.

Grilled Pizza: Two Ways