Introduction

This Grilled Pennsylvania Tomato Pie Slices recipe delivers a beautifully crisp crust, deeply caramelized tomato flavor, and that irresistible melt of Parmesan — all made on the versatile Arteflame grill. By grilling instead of baking, you unlock new layers of flavor as the crust gets perfectly golden and crispy without being burned. And with the Arteflame’s unique flat top griddle and center grill grate, every slice gets the attention it deserves. Great as a main, a side, or crowd-pleasing party food, this take on PA-style tomato pie is a must-try for grill enthusiasts.

Ingredients

• 1 sheet of pre-made pizza dough or focaccia (12x9 inches)
• 1 cup sweet tomato sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (for grilling)
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Fire up the Arteflame grill

1. Pour a little vegetable oil over three paper napkins and place them in the center base of the Arteflame grill.
2. Stack a few pieces of dry firewood over the oiled napkins.
3. Light the paper and allow the grill to heat up for about 20 minutes until the cooktop is hot and ready for grilling.

Step 2: Prepare the dough

1. Roll out your pre-made pizza dough into a 12x9-inch rectangle.
2. Let it rest at room temperature for 10 minutes to relax the gluten.
3. Brush the underside of the dough with melted butter.

Step 3: Grill the dough

1. Place butter-side-down on the hotter inner edge of the flat top griddle of the Arteflame grill.
2. Cook for about 3–4 minutes until the underside is golden and crisp, then flip.
3. Butter the now-exposed side and cook the other side until golden and finished.

Step 4: Add the tomato sauce

1. In a bowl, mix tomato sauce with sugar, oregano, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
2. Once the dough is grilled on both sides, spoon the tomato sauce over the top evenly.
3. Let the sauce heat and bubble gently on the hot griddle surface for another 3–4 minutes.

Step 5: Finish with cheese

1. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese generously over the top.
2. Let the cheese melt slightly and caramelize just a bit before removing from the grill.

Step 6: Slice and serve

1. Remove the grilled tomato pie from the cooktop.
2. Slice into squares or strips.
3. Garnish with fresh basil leaves if desired and serve warm.

Tips

• Place the dough closer to the center for faster cooking or near the edges for slower, more even grilling.
• Rotate the dough as it grills if you see uneven cooking.
• Use butter generously to keep the crust richly flavored and prevent sticking.
• If serving as a main course, add grilled sausage or pepperoni before the cheese step.
• Always grill with fresh firewood — no artificial logs or treated wood.

Variations

1. Spicy Pepper Tomato Pie: Add crushed red pepper flakes into the tomato sauce and top with hot cherry peppers before grilling.
2. Three-Cheese Delight: Add mozzarella and provolone with the Parmesan for a gooey, cheesy twist.
3. Meaty Tomato Pie: Add thin grilled slices of sweet Italian sausage or pepperoni before topping with cheese.
4. White Tomato Pie: Skip the tomato sauce and instead use garlic oil, ricotta, and Parmesan, then grill to perfection.
5. Veggie Grilled Tomato Pie: Top with grilled peppers, onions, or mushrooms for a colorful vegetarian version.

Conclusion

Grilling Pennsylvania Tomato Pie on the Arteflame brings a whole new dimension to this traditional favorite. No oven needed, no pots or pans — just bold, smoky flavor that only live fire cooking can deliver. The Arteflame grill’s flat steel cooktop allows perfect control for a crust that’s crisp and golden, never burnt. Try this once, and you’ll never go back to baking it!

Best pairings

• Grilled Italian sausages or chicken thighs
• Charred Caesar salad or grilled romaine lettuce
• Cold IPA or dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc
• Roasted garlic aioli dip for the crust
• Grilled corn on the cob with Parmesan and butter