Grilled Meat Lovers Pizza on the Arteflame

Introduction

Create the ultimate meat lovers pizza right on your Arteflame grill. The high heat of the grill will give your pizza dough a perfectly crispy base, while the flat top griddle will cook your favorite meats to juicy, flavorful perfection. This recipe uses the Arteflame pizza oven accessory for the best outdoor pizza experience.

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 packet active dry yeast (2 ¼ tsp)
• 1 cup warm water
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Sauce:

• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Meat Toppings:

• ½ lb Italian sausage, crumbled
• ½ lb pepperoni slices
• ½ lb bacon, cooked and chopped
• ½ lb ground beef, cooked and crumbled
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated

Additional Toppings:

• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
• Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Instructions:

1. Fire Up the Arteflame Grill

Start by preparing your Arteflame grill. Pour vegetable oil on three paper napkins, stack firewood on top of the napkins, and light the grill. Allow it to heat for about 20 minutes, so the center grill grate reaches around 1,000°F. Place the pizza oven accessory over the grill to preheat.

2. Prepare the Dough

In a small bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes until the yeast activates and becomes foamy. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture and olive oil, stirring until the dough forms. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes until smooth. Let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

3. Cook the Meats

Place the Italian sausage, ground beef, and bacon on the flat top griddle surrounding the center grill. Cook until browned and fully done, moving them around the flat top for even cooking. Set aside the cooked meats once they're ready.

4. Assemble the Pizza

Once the dough has risen, divide it into two portions. Roll out each portion into a thin circle on a floured surface. Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over each pizza dough. Add minced garlic, oregano, and basil. Scatter mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then pile on the cooked sausage, pepperoni, bacon, and ground beef. Add any optional toppings like onions and bell peppers.

5. Grill the Pizza

Carefully slide the assembled pizza onto a pizza peel. Place it in the preheated pizza oven accessory on your Arteflame grill. Close the pizza oven cover and cook for about 7-10 minutes, rotating as needed for even cooking. Remove the pizza when the crust is golden, the cheese is bubbly, and the internal temperature of the meats reaches food-safe levels.

6. Garnish and Serve

Once done, remove the pizza from the Arteflame and garnish with fresh basil leaves. Slice and enjoy!

Tips:

• If you don’t have a pizza oven accessory, you can still cook the pizza directly on the flat top griddle, just keep a close eye on the crust to prevent burning.
• Control the heat: do not put any firewood directly under the pizza, this will cause the crust to bake faster than the toppings.
• Use a pizza stone on the flat top for an extra crispy crust.

Variations:

1. BBQ Meat Pizza: Swap the tomato sauce for barbecue sauce and add pulled pork instead of ground beef.
2. Spicy Meat Pizza: Add hot Italian sausage and jalapeños for a kick of heat.
3. Mediterranean Meat Pizza: Use lamb sausage, kalamata olives, and feta cheese for a Mediterranean twist.
4. Smoky Bacon and Ham Pizza: Use smoked ham and double the bacon for a smoky, savory flavor.
5. Cheesy Meat Deluxe: Add extra mozzarella, cheddar, and blue cheese to make it a cheesy meat lover’s dream.

Best Pairings:

• A side of Caesar salad or grilled vegetables.
• Cold lager or a bold red wine, like Zinfandel.
• Grilled garlic bread with melted cheese.

Conclusion

This grilled meat lovers pizza is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. The smoky flavors from the grill combined with the rich meats and crispy crust make for an unforgettable outdoor pizza experience. Use the Arteflame grill to get that perfect balance of seared meats and perfectly cooked pizza dough every time.