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Grilled Pesto Pizza with Arugula and Feta

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Pesto Grilled Pizza ~A full flavored pizza made with fresh Basil Pesto and peppery arugula. Feta cheese adds a nice creamy bite to this simple but tasty pizza

Pesto Grilled Pizza ~A full flavored pizza made with fresh Basil Pesto and peppery arugula. Feta cheese adds a nice creamy bite to this simple but tasty pizza.

Third times a charm … right?  That was true for me when it came to making grilled pizza.  My daughter-in-law Callie should be proud!  Twice before I’ve made homemade dough for pizza and tried to grill it.  The first one turned out okay but not blog worthy.  And that was only after I had forgotten to oil the grill and the first crust stuck and burned.  Not pretty.  I shared half the dough with my son Patrick and DIL Callie and they grilled their pizzas with much better luck.  Instead of boring you with all the things you should not do when making Grilled Pesto Pizza with Arugula and Feta, I’ve included “helpful” tips in the notes section of the recipe, based on experience, and multiple pizza experiments!

 

Pesto Grilled Pizza ~A full flavored pizza made with fresh Basil Pesto and peppery arugula. Feta cheese adds a nice creamy bite to this simple but tasty pizzaI’ve been enjoying more full flavored food lately.  The Sriracha Fish Tacos, Sweet Corn Salsa and now this standout pizza.  Pesto alone is amazing but spread on a grilled pizza it becomes addictive.

 

Pesto Grilled Pizza ~A full flavored pizza made with fresh Basil Pesto and peppery arugula. Feta cheese adds a nice creamy bite to this simple but tasty pizza

This is a very green post today! If you’re one of those people that can’t imagine pizza without red sauce, trust a recent convert when I tell you, pizza with pesto is nothing short of memorable.

 

Pesto Grilled Pizza ~A full flavored pizza made with fresh Basil Pesto and peppery arugula. Feta cheese adds a nice creamy bite to this simple but tasty pizza

 

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Grilled Pesto Pizza with Arugula and Feta

Prep Time: 4 hrs
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 4 hrs 5 mins
Yield: 4 pizzas
Course: Pizza
Author: Tricia
PRINT RECIPE
A full flavored pizza made with fresh Basil Pesto and peppery arugula. The dough is best made 1 or 2 days ahead of time. It freezes well and makes a great traditional oven baked crust too.

Ingredients

For the sponge:

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1 1/2 cups tepid water, about 80 degrees
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour

For the pizza dough:

  • The sponge
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 scant tablespoon table salt

For the toppings:

  • 4 balls of pizza dough
  • 2 cups arugula
  • 1 cup crumbled Feta
  • 1 cup prepared pesto (see link in NOTES)

Instructions

To make the sponge:

  • Add the yeast to the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the water stirring to dissolve the yeast. Allow the yeast to rest for 5 minutes or until it becomes creamy. Add the olive oil and then gradually stir in the flour with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula.
  • Scrape down the sides of the bowl, cover and let the sponge rest and rise in a warm place (about 85 degrees) for 1 1/2 hours. I use my microwave as a proofing oven. It is very warm inside when I keep the task light on underneath. Be sure your dough is free from drafts. The sponge should double in volume and become very bubbly.

To make the dough:

  • Use a rubber spatula to deflate the sponge and fit the mixer with the dough hook. Add 2 cups of flour and the salt to the sponge and mix on low for 2 or 3 minutes. Increase the speed to medium and add a spoonful of flour, one at a time, if needed to help bring the dough together. It should be cleaning the sides of your mixer bowl. Continue to knead on medium for another 5 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  • Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled mixing bowl and turn it to make sure all sides are moistened with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow it to rest in a warm location for another 1 1/2 hours. The dough should double in volume and hold an impression when you gently poke it with a finger. 
  • Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Divide the dough into four pieces and cover the pieces set aside to work with later. Shape the dough into a ball and then flatten into a disk. Roll the dough into a 8-9 inch circle using a rolling pin. If the dough snaps back and doesn’t hold it’s shape, let it rest a few minutes then try again. Transfer the dough to the pizza peel or rimless baking sheet.

To make the pizzas:

  • Preheat your grill as hot as you can get it. Working quickly, oil the grate of the grill then slide the pizza dough onto the grill. Cook for a minute or two until it is cooked on the bottom and the top starts to bubble up. Quickly turn the pizza dough over and continue grilling until done, 2-4 minutes more.
  • Repeat with the remaining dough. Top each with pesto, arugula and feta cheese. Serve immediately.

Recipe Notes

  • If you want to make the dough ahead of time wrap each piece of fully risen dough in plastic wrap, then place it in a Ziplock bag. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
  • You can also wrap the dough tightly and freeze until needed. To thaw the frozen dough, place it still wrapped in the refrigerator overnight. Both frozen and refrigerated dough should be allowed to come to room temperature before shaping - about 2 hours.
  • Generously grease the grate of your grill with vegetable oil. Pour oil into a small cup or bowl. Fold a paper towel to fit into the bowl. Use the oil soaked paper towel and tongs to grease the grate. Grease again in between crusts.
  • Use a rimless baking sheet or pizza peel dusted with cornmeal to transfer the pizza dough onto the grill.
  • Have an oven mitt and tongs ready when grilling the pizza dough
 
Click HERE to get the recipe for our easy BASIL PESTO
 
Adapted from a recipe by: Steve Sullivan, published in Baking with Julia
 

 

Thanks so much for PINNING!

Easy Grilled Pesto Pizza ~A full flavored pizza made with fresh Basil Pesto and peppery arugula. Feta cheese adds a nice creamy bite to this simple but tasty pizza. www.savingdessert.com

Please don’t let the lengthy directions scare you off.  The pizza dough is super simple to make – it just takes time for the yeast to do its thing.  The pizza crust is wonderful and worked better than the other crust I tried to grill.  The basil came from our garden and I hope it will continue to produce.  It has been very hot so it may not last much longer.  No matter how much we water, the blazing sun takes it’s toll.  I would love to freeze pesto sauce to use this winter.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!  Thanks so much for stopping by and happy Monday!

Tricia

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32 Comments

  1. Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says

    July 29, 2015 at 12:12 pm

    Pesto is my favorite alternative pizza sauce. And I am also obsessed with arugula on pizza so this is basically meant to be in my belly.

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      July 29, 2015 at 12:33 pm

      Haha Erin – I think it is great too. Love Pesto!

      reply to this comment >
  2. Abbe @ This is How I Cook says

    July 23, 2015 at 7:12 pm

    This is what I do all summer long. We always grill the pizza and quesadillas. Perfection at its best! Love the pesto, Tricia!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      July 24, 2015 at 9:30 am

      Thanks Abbe – now I won’t be able to rest until I have grilled quesadillas! Thank you so much!

      reply to this comment >
  3. Chris Scheuer says

    July 22, 2015 at 7:07 pm

    Yum! Two delicious recipes! This looks like a perfect summer meal Tricia. One I could enjoy quite often on these super warm days. Pizza always sounds good to me and I love the idea of not heating up the house.

    reply to this comment >
  4. John/Kitchen Riffs says

    July 22, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    I’ve not grilled pizza — really need to. We have so much basil on hand, this would be a great way to use it. This looks totally wonderful — thanks so much.

    reply to this comment >
  5. Susan says

    July 21, 2015 at 7:20 pm

    I’ve tried grilled pizza once and it was delicious. Not sure why I haven’t done it since! This looks amazing and I love both arugula and feta and the pesto puts it over the top on the delicious meter.

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      July 22, 2015 at 7:58 am

      Wonderful combination of flavors Susan – thanks for stopping by!

      reply to this comment >
  6. Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says

    July 21, 2015 at 10:51 am

    Beautiful pizza with all my favourite flavours! A green, grilled pizza is perfect for a summer dinner 🙂

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      July 22, 2015 at 7:58 am

      Thanks Jennifer! Hope you are having a great summer 🙂

      reply to this comment >
  7. Toni | BoulderLocavore says

    July 21, 2015 at 7:39 am

    This is beautiful Tricia. I can imagine the flavors as a perfect celebration of summer. I have yet to grill a pizza but am dying to try it!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      July 21, 2015 at 9:32 am

      Thanks so much Toni! With your crazy wonderful grilling skills this would be a slam dunk for you 🙂

      reply to this comment >
  8. Cali @ Cali's Cuisine says

    July 21, 2015 at 7:02 am

    Love how you admit your less than successful ventures. There isn’t much that can beat the taste of grilled pizza crust. Your ‘green’ pizza looks excellent!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      July 21, 2015 at 9:31 am

      Oh Cali I could write books about my failures 🙂 I had two this past weekend! Recipe development can be painful haha. This pizza is excellent with great big amazing flavor!

      reply to this comment >
  9. tanna says

    July 21, 2015 at 6:50 am

    LOVE basil pesto and arugula and home made dough!!!! Thank you for sharing this one, Tricia!! Glad you persisted! blessings and hugs ~ tanna

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      July 21, 2015 at 9:30 am

      Thanks Tanna! I think I was more mad that it failed twice 🙂 I wasn’t going to let it beat me! Haha – It’s just pizza dough for crying out loud!

      reply to this comment >
  10. Karen Burns Booth says

    July 21, 2015 at 4:44 am

    What a FABULOUS looking pizza with all my favourite ingredients piled on top too! Also wonderful photos, Karen

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      July 21, 2015 at 9:29 am

      Thanks Karen – and thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!

      reply to this comment >
  11. Mandy says

    July 21, 2015 at 3:24 am

    Absolute heaven on a plate I say! Gorgeous recipe Tricia.
    Have a wonderful day.
    🙂 Mandy xo

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      July 21, 2015 at 9:29 am

      Thanks so much Mandy!

      reply to this comment >
  12. cheri says

    July 20, 2015 at 10:16 pm

    Hi Tricia, this is something I have been wanting to do. For some reason I have not, your pizza looks perfectly cooked, love the toppings.

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      July 21, 2015 at 9:28 am

      Hello Cheri – I hope you’ll give this a try – it really is fun once you grease the grate and put the dough on a rimless baking sheet or peel. Without those two things this is a total failure! Haha – hope you’re enjoying your summer 🙂

      reply to this comment >
  13. Becky Green says

    July 20, 2015 at 7:38 pm

    This looks HEAVENLY, Tricia!!!! 😉 “Grilled Pizza” is something we’ve been talking about….. 😉 THANKS TRICIA!!!! (It is SUPER HOT here too….)

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      July 20, 2015 at 8:15 pm

      Thanks Becky! Hope you’re having a wonderful summer. Grill some pizza soon! Such fun 🙂

      reply to this comment >
  14. sue|theviewfromgreatisland says

    July 20, 2015 at 12:55 pm

    Tricia this looks incredible! I love ‘green’ pizzas, they’re so light, and such a nice change. I have never grilled pizza, but I do make a grilled laffa bread, which is similar, and I love the charred flavor. Pinning and sharing!!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      July 20, 2015 at 8:15 pm

      Thank you Sue! It was a nice change and even tasty left over 🙂 I loved your grilled laffa bread – I love all your recipes! Have a wonderful week 🙂

      reply to this comment >
  15. Dom says

    July 20, 2015 at 7:34 am

    what a lovely, summery idea for a pizza… I love how fresh and green it looks and I adore pesto so this is just gorgeous. Very much into my thin bread with toppings at the moment, it feels like the perfect thing to eat on these long summer evenings x

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      July 20, 2015 at 12:05 pm

      Love your thin bread sandwiches with fresh vegetables Dom. I bet you would like this pizza too. Have a great week!

      reply to this comment >
  16. Monica says

    July 20, 2015 at 7:05 am

    That’s a beautiful green pizza and we love using pesto instead of red sauce! We have only tried to heat up pizza on the grill once and that was a charred mess…that said, I’ve always wanted to grill a true pizza one day. Now I am armed with your tips and I just might give it a try! Great way to start the week!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      July 20, 2015 at 12:04 pm

      Don’t give up Monica! I am so glad I tried again. The first time was a disaster, second time it was better and the third time we nailed it! This is an easy pizza to start with because the cooking is done once the crust is grilled. Can’t wait to try some grilled veges and gobs of melty cheese 🙂

      reply to this comment >
  17. [email protected]'s Recipes says

    July 20, 2015 at 6:29 am

    Can you believe that I have never had a GRILLED pizza? These look so very tempting with arugula and feta!

    reply to this comment >
    • Tricia Buice says

      July 20, 2015 at 12:02 pm

      I hope you’ll give it a try Angie – I bet you would like it! Love that pesto flavor and the peppery rocket/arugula. Have a wonderful week!

      reply to this comment >

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