Wisconsin Five-Cheese Grilled Pizza

Introduction

This Wisconsin Five-Cheese Grilled Pizza is an explosion of bold, creamy, and perfectly melted cheese on a golden, crispy crust. Grilled entirely on the Arteflame Grill, this pizza delivers a smokey finish that elevates Wisconsin cheeses to their fullest flavor potential. With its large griddle and blazing hot center grill grate reaching over 1,000°F, the Arteflame lets you skip the oven and pots entirely. Get ready for a cheese-lover’s dream, grilled to perfection!

Ingredients

• 1 ball of fresh pizza dough (room temperature)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/3 cup shredded Wisconsin mozzarella
• 1/3 cup shredded Wisconsin provolone
• 1/3 cup shredded Wisconsin fontina
• 1/4 cup crumbled Wisconsin blue cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Wisconsin parmesan
• 1/4 cup pizza sauce (optional)
• Flour or cornmeal for dusting
• Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
• Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Fire up the Arteflame Grill

1. Pour some vegetable oil on three paper napkins and place them in the grill base.
2. Stack firewood over the napkins.
3. Light the paper napkins and allow the grill to come up to temperature (about 20 minutes).
4. Aim for a high-heat area on the flat cooktop griddle for pizza — toward the inner ring near the center grill grate.

Step 2: Prep your work surface and dough

1. Lightly flour your work surface or use cornmeal to prevent sticking.
2. Stretch or roll out the dough into a 10-12 inch round.
3. Brush the top of the dough lightly with melted butter for flavor and browning.

Step 3: Grill the crust

1. Place the buttered side down directly onto the flat griddle near the hot center zone.
2. Brush the top (now facing up) with more melted butter.
3. Grill for 2-3 minutes or until the bottom is golden with light char spots.
4. Flip the crust using tongs or a wide spatula.

Step 4: Add cheese and melt

1. Spread a light layer of pizza sauce if using.
2. Sprinkle on mozzarella, provolone, fontina, blue cheese, and parmesan evenly across the surface.
3. Slide the pizza a bit further from the center if the cheese starts melting too fast — use the outer warming zone to control melting while ensuring the crust continues to crisp.
4. Cover with the Arteflame pizza oven (if available) to help melt the cheese faster—remember, it doesn’t have a lid, just intensifies heat above the pizza.
5. Cook for another 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and slightly golden.

Step 5: Finish and serve

1. Remove the pizza from the grill using a peel or wide spatula.
2. Top with fresh basil and crushed red pepper if desired.
3. Slice and serve immediately.

Tips

• Use butter instead of olive oil for richer flavor and golden crust.
• The flat top is hotter near the center and cooler near the edges — use these zones to achieve ideal cooking temperatures for each step.
• Make sure the dough is at room temperature before grilling for optimal rise.
• If using the Arteflame pizza oven, rotate the pizza midway to ensure even cooking.
• Always preheat your grill — the Arteflame needs just 20 minutes and keeps clean-up to a minimum.

Variations

1. Herbed Garlic Cheese Pizza: Add minced garlic and fresh rosemary or thyme to the melted butter for an herbed base flavor.
2. Spicy Wisconsin Fire: Add pickled jalapeños, spicy sausage, and drizzle with hot honey before serving.
3. Maple Bacon Wisconsin Pizza: Top with crispy grilled bacon bits and a light maple syrup drizzle for a sweet-savory fusion.
4. Mediterranean Wisconsin Style: Add kalamata olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and artichoke hearts before the final cheese melt.
5. Wisconsin Veggie Delight: Add grilled mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, and spinach just before the final melt.

Best pairings

• Glass of semi-dry Riesling or chilled IPA
• Side of grilled artichokes or asparagus on the Arteflame
• Charcuterie platter with more Wisconsin cheeses and grilled sourdough slices

Conclusion

The Wisconsin Five-Cheese Grilled Pizza truly showcases how powerful and versatile the Arteflame grill is. Bold flavors, perfect melts, and that charred crust—all come without using an oven. With nearly no cleanup and effortless lighting, this will become a backyard favorite for any pizza night!