What kind of tailgating food do you serve at your tailgate or homegate parties? If your answer is burgers and hot dogs, then it is time to expand your menu! Ribs, brisket, and chicken are all amazing meats to grill, but one food that everyone loves is PIZZA! Yep, that’s right; you can have pizza or similar items at your next event.
You could always order pizza, dips, and more from a local restaurant, but what’s the fun in that? We’ve got some resources you can use to make delicious tailgating grilled pizzas that will knock guests’ socks off. Is that what you’re after? Good, then let’s get started and make your tailgate or homegate a success.
Grilled Pizza Recipes For Your Tailgate
How does a pizza sound for your next tailgate? Sounds good to us.
And no we don’t mean stopping by your local pizza joint and grabbing a large to go. Although that could certainly work in a pinch. Plus I could certainly see grabbing a Grimaldi’s before a Brooklyn Nets game or a Lou Malnati’s before a Chicago Bears game.
What we are talking about is a fresh homemade pizza right from your grill or portable oven.
If this is your first time throwing a tailgate pizza party—don’t worry! You’ll be surprised how fun and easy cooking pizza on the grill is! Plus, we’ve got you covered with 10 of the best grilled pizza recipes to wow your guests.
1. Grilled Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Grilled buffalo chicken pizza is a tailgate favorite due to its flavorful combination of spicy buffalo sauce, tangy blue cheese, and grilled chicken, while the grilling process adds a delightful smoky char to the crust. Its convenience, versatility, and ability to satisfy hungry sports fans make it an ideal choice for outdoor gatherings and tailgate parties.
2. Zucchini Pizza Bites
Zucchini pizza bites are irresistible, ooey-gooey appetizers featuring zucchini rounds topped with marinara sauce, molten mozzarella, and mini pepperoni. These healthy, low-carb snacks are perfect for tailgate pizza parties and weeknight meals, offering a delicious, bite-sized alternative to traditional pizza.
3. 3-Cheese Sausage Pizza
Grilled three-cheese sausage pizza is perfect for tailgating thanks to its mouthwatering combination of cheeses, pizza sauce, savory sausage, mushrooms, and peppers sure to please hungry crowds. Its simple preparation and grilling process not only enhance the flavors but also make it a convenient and enjoyable choice for outdoor gatherings and tailgate parties.
4. Grilled Margherita Pizza
Enjoy a homemade Margherita pizza with a crispy, smoky flavor using store-bought dough, tomato sauce, mozzarella, oregano, fresh basil, and crushed red pepper. The recipe is quick to throw together with a 10 minute prep time and 8 minute cook time and perfect for summer tailgate parties, offering a light and fresh meal that doesn’t heat up the kitchen. With just a few ingredients and simple instructions, you can have a flavorful, grilled pizza ready in no time!
5. Pizza Cupcakes
Pizza cupcakes are a great recipe because their size makes them easy to handle for parties and picnics, while their customizable nature ensures they cater to everyone and anyone. This recipes includes cooked bacon, ham, sausage, pineapple, and sautéed veggies, but you just swap in your favorite toppings. Plus, their fun prep process make them enjoyable for both kids and adults. I mean, we’re combining two of the most loved foods in the entire world, what’s not to love?
6. Stubb’s Barbecue Chicken Pizza
Looking for something easy to prepare ahead for a tailgate that combines two of the greatest foods on the planet? Look no further than our latest bbq chicken pizza. Our version uses prepared pizza dough for an easy prep and combines Stubb’s bbq sauce, chicken, a mix of cheeses, red onion, and bell peppers. It not only looks fabulous, but is also really easy to make. Enjoy!
7. Grilled Hot Italian Sausage, Caramelized Onion, and Pesto Pizza
This grilled pizza recipe with a total time of 45 minutes, combines a crispy pizza crust with a flavorful topping of marinara sauce, fresh mozzarella, goat cheese, pesto, spicy sausage, and caramelized onions. Deliciously indulgent, it’s quick to prepare using a store-bought crust and cooks to perfection on the grill, making it a perfect alternative to delivery.
8. BBQ CHICKEN MAC’ N’ CHEESE PIZZA
With college hoops nearing March Madness, below is one of our favorite round grilling recipes. The great thing about this white pizza is that you can go all out and make some of the ingredients from scratch, or do a quicker version with ready-prepared shortcuts. Either way, your guest are guaranteed to love it!
9. Grilled Greek Pizza
For your guests who may be looking for a lighter and/or vegetarian option, this grilled pizza recipe is the perfect option! This healthy Mediterranean-style pizza is topped with creamy hummus, fresh arugula, garden tomatoes, briny black olives, a sprinkle of feta cheese, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. This easy-to-make pizza features a simple homemade dough, but store-bought dough works in a pinch. Grill the dough on hot stones or directly on grill grates, then add the pizza toppings and enjoy a quick, delicious meal. This pizza would also make a fantastic appetizer at any tailgate!
10. The Best Pizza Dough for Grilling
We’ve already established that there are plenty grilled pizza recipes out there that are perfect for a tailgate pizza party, and most are designed for quick and easy prep using store bought dough. But what if you want to make your own? That’s where this recipe comes in!
This pizza dough recipe offers flexibility in timing with two step by step options: a quick rise for immediate use or an overnight rise for enhanced flavor. The dough is supple, hearty, and easy to handle on the grill, using ingredients you probably already have on hand including all purpose flour, instant yeast, olive oil, salt, and water. It can also be stored in the fridge for several days or frozen for later use, ensuring you always have delicious homemade pizza dough ready.
Indoor Pizza Oven
If you don’t own a pizza oven, then it is time for an upgrade! It will cook this recipe and other tailgating food right up in a jiffy. So, without further ado, here’s the Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven.
Ask the majority of people in this country to name their five favorite foods, and pizza will make nearly all of the lists. Whether it’s plain cheese, pepperoni, vegetarian, or meat lovers that you crave, pizza satisfies all the lactose tolerant among us. However, the sight of pizza at a tailgate is an all too uncommon occurrence. But for the pizza lovers among us, or for the laziest of folks that don’t want to set up a grill, we present the Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Oven.
This contraption isn’t very big, measuring 17.5″D x 19″W x 11″H, so don’t expect to throw a pizza party for a dozen people with this device. But you can cook an authentic 12″ Neapolitan pizza in 5 minutes or less!
Check out the Cuisinart Indoor Pizza Grill here!
Armed with all this information, you’re now prepared to host a tailgate pizza party. Go forth and make us proud while satisfying your hunger and that of your guests. Let us know which recipe is your favorite!
