California Grilled Pizza Recipe

Pizza dough: The base of your pizza, providing a chewy and crispy texture when grilled.

Marinara sauce: A rich tomato sauce that serves as the flavorful foundation for your toppings.

Mozzarella cheese: A classic pizza cheese that melts beautifully and adds a creamy texture.

Cherry tomatoes: These small, sweet tomatoes add a burst of freshness and color.

Arugula: A peppery green that adds a fresh, slightly spicy note to your pizza.

Olive oil: Used to brush the dough, helping it to crisp up and adding a hint of richness.

When grilling pizza dough, ensure that your grill is preheated to high heat to achieve those perfect grill marks. To prevent sticking, brush the dough with olive oil and place it oil-side down on the grill. Once you flip the dough, work quickly to add the marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, and arugula so the toppings can start cooking immediately. Closing the grill lid helps to create an oven-like environment, ensuring the cheese melts evenly and the toppings are heated through.

• pizza dough - Substitute with naan bread: Naan bread provides a similar texture and can be easily grilled.

• marinara sauce - Substitute with pesto sauce: Pesto offers a fresh, herbaceous flavor that pairs well with grilled toppings.

• mozzarella cheese - Substitute with goat cheese: Goat cheese adds a tangy, creamy texture that complements the other ingredients.

• cherry tomatoes - Substitute with sun-dried tomatoes: Sun-dried tomatoes provide a concentrated, sweet flavor that enhances the overall taste.

• arugula - Substitute with baby spinach: Baby spinach offers a milder taste and similar texture, making it a good alternative.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it suitable for grilling.

• Allow the pizza to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the crust soggy.
• Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This helps maintain freshness and prevents freezer burn.
• Place the wrapped slices in a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container. Label the container with the date for easy reference.
• Store the pizza in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, place it in the freezer where it can last up to 2 months.
• To reheat, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the pizza slices on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy.
• For a quicker option, reheat in the microwave on a microwave-safe plate. Heat on high for 1-2 minutes, though this may result in a softer crust.
• If you prefer a crispy crust, reheat the pizza slices in a skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, covering with a lid to help melt the cheese.
• Avoid reheating pizza more than once, as this can degrade the quality and taste of the ingredients.
• For an extra burst of flavor, add fresh arugula or a drizzle of olive oil after reheating.

• Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the leftover California Grilled Pizza on a baking sheet. Cover it loosely with aluminum foil to prevent the crust from becoming too hard. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly again. This method ensures the pizza retains its original texture and flavor.

• Skillet Method: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Place the pizza slice in the skillet and cover it with a lid. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy. This method is great for maintaining a crispy bottom while reheating the toppings evenly.

• Microwave Method: Place a microwave-safe cup of water in the microwave along with your pizza slice on a microwave-safe plate. Heat on high for 1-2 minutes. The water helps to keep the crust from becoming too chewy. While this method is quick, it may not keep the crust as crispy as other methods.

• Toaster Oven Method: Preheat your toaster oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the pizza slice directly on the rack or on a piece of aluminum foil. Heat for about 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy. This method is convenient and effective for reheating small portions.

• Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the pizza slice in the air fryer basket. Heat for about 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is crispy. This method is quick and ensures a crispy crust with evenly reheated toppings.

• Grill: Used to cook the pizza dough and melt the toppings, giving the pizza a smoky flavor and crispy texture.

• Rolling pin: Helps to roll out the pizza dough to your desired thickness.

• Floured surface: Provides a non-stick area to roll out the pizza dough.

• Pastry brush: Used to brush olive oil onto the dough.

• Tongs: Handy for flipping the dough on the grill.

• Ladle: Useful for spreading marinara sauce evenly over the grilled dough.

• Grill lid: Helps to trap heat and cook the toppings evenly.

• Pizza cutter: Essential for slicing the pizza into serving pieces.

• Cutting board: Provides a surface to slice the pizza on.

• Serving platter: Used to present the finished pizza.

Preheat the grill: Preheat the grill while you prepare the pizza dough and toppings to save time.

Use store-bought dough: Opt for store-bought pizza dough to cut down on preparation time.

Prep toppings in advance: Slice cherry tomatoes and wash arugula ahead of time.

Assemble quickly: Have all ingredients ready to go so you can assemble the pizza quickly once the dough is grilled.

Grill both sides: Grill both sides of the dough to ensure even cooking and save time on flipping.