Elevate Your Pizza Night: The Ultimate Grilled Pineapple, Prosciutto, and Jalapeño Pizza Recipe
Experience a symphony of flavors with this incredible Grilled Pineapple Pizza featuring the savory crispness of prosciutto and a zesty kick from fresh jalapeños. This isn’t just any pizza; it’s a mouthwatering combination of sweet, spicy, and distinctly smoky notes, all cooked to perfection right off the grill. Forget your standard delivery – this homemade masterpiece is designed to tantalize your taste buds and transform your perception of pineapple on pizza.
For years, like many, I held a rather indifferent view towards Hawaiian pizza. It wasn’t something I actively disliked, but it certainly didn’t spark joy. The classic combination of ham and pineapple felt, well, merely “meh.” And while I appreciate ham, it never truly captured my culinary heart. That all changed after my partner, Jason, introduced me to a new way of thinking about this controversial pie. Suddenly, Hawaiian pizza, or rather, *our* elevated version of it, became a cherished favorite at Casa de Crews. It goes to show that sometimes, a fresh perspective and a few premium ingredients can completely change the game.
The Grilling Advantage: Infusing Flavor and Texture
What truly elevates this pizza beyond the ordinary is the magic of grilling. Cooking pizza on a hot grill imparts an incomparable smoky flavor that simply cannot be replicated in a conventional oven. The crust achieves a beautiful char and crispness, while the toppings caramelize, creating a depth of flavor that is truly irresistible. Grilling transforms the entire experience, turning a simple weeknight meal into a culinary adventure. If you haven’t tried grilling pizza before, prepare for a serious game-changer. Seriously, once you go grilled pizza, it’s hard to go back!
Elevated Ingredients for an Unforgettable Taste
This Grilled Pineapple Pizza with Prosciutto and Jalapeños proves that homemade pizza can be both healthier and infinitely more delicious than anything you’d find at a typical pizza parlor. The secret lies in selecting high-quality ingredients that truly shine. Instead of traditional ham, we opt for thinly sliced prosciutto. Prosciutto offers a delicate saltiness and a rich, savory depth that perfectly complements the sweet pineapple. Plus, when you check the labels, many prosciuttos contain just two ingredients: pork and salt, avoiding the added sugars and preservatives often found in processed ham.
For the cheese, while classic mozzarella is always a fantastic choice, I prefer a creamy burrata. Burrata, with its soft, luscious center, melts into an incredibly rich and decadent blanket over the pizza, providing a wonderful textural contrast to the other toppings. Of course, both cheeses are undeniably amazing – after all, I’m a firm believer in embracing all the cheese! This thoughtful selection of ingredients ensures every bite is packed with premium flavor and texture, making this grilled pizza a true gourmet experience in the comfort of your own home.
Homemade Dough & Sauce: The Foundation of Flavor
To truly master your homemade pizza, consider making your own sauce and spelt pizza dough. These foundational elements can make a monumental difference in the final taste and texture of your pizza. The beauty of preparing your own dough and sauce is the control you gain over the ingredients, allowing you to avoid unnecessary additives and adjust flavors to your preference. Both can be prepared in advance, making this recipe incredibly convenient for a busy weeknight or a relaxed weekend meal. Imagine this: it’s Friday, you’ve had a long week, and you’re craving ‘za (yes, some of us still call it that!). All you need to do is pull out your pre-made dough and sauce, add your cheese (burrata or mozzarella!), pile on the toppings, and enjoy a refreshing drink while your grill heats up. This makes the Grilled Pineapple Pizza with Prosciutto and Jalapeños not only delicious but also remarkably easy to assemble and cook.
The Perfect Balance: Sweet, Spicy, and Fresh
This grilled pizza achieves a perfect harmony of flavors, blending sweetness, spice, and freshness. The star of the show, grilled pineapple, takes on a wonderfully caramelized sweetness and a slightly smoky edge that is simply divine. To counter this sweetness and add a vibrant, peppery kick, I love to finish the pizza with a handful of fresh baby arugula. Its crisp texture and slightly bitter notes provide a delightful contrast.
For those who appreciate a bit more zing, thinly sliced jalapeños introduce a lively heat that perfectly complements the rich prosciutto and sweet pineapple. While I generally avoid raw onions, I do add a scattering of thinly sliced red onion to the grill; the heat mellows their pungency and infuses another layer of savory aroma (primarily for Jason, but I’ve grown to appreciate it too!). If onions, jalapeños, or even arugula aren’t to your liking, feel free to omit them. You’ll still enjoy all the amazing, elevated flavors of a classic Hawaiian pizza, but with a freshness and quality far superior to any takeout option, and often at a fraction of the cost.
Remember, the beauty of homemade pizza is its customizability. Whether you prefer extra spice, less onion, or a different blend of cheeses, this recipe is a fantastic canvas for your culinary creativity. And on those days when you’re short on time or energy, there’s absolutely no judgment if you opt for store-bought dough and sauce. My goal is always to provide delicious options that fit your lifestyle, whether you’re aiming for a fully “clean” ingredient list or simply seeking a superior pizza experience at home.
Mastering the Grill: Tips for a Flawless Pizza Stone Experience
At Casa de Crews, we swear by grilling our pizza using a pizza stone. While my trusty stone is now so wonderfully discolored from countless grilling sessions that it rarely makes it into photos, it truly makes a world of difference in achieving that perfectly crispy crust. I’ve had my share of pizza mishaps trying to grill directly on the grates – it’s a tricky balance to get right!
If you plan to use a pizza stone, a crucial step is proper preheating. Always place your pizza stone on the grill (or in the oven during colder months) while it’s still cold, then allow both the grill and the stone to gradually heat up together to your target temperature of 450°F. Introducing a cold stone to a scorching hot grill can cause thermal shock, leading to cracks, and nobody wants that (plus, now I want ice cream, thanks to the word “cold stone”!).
Another vital tip pertains to cleaning your pizza stone. Much like a cast iron pan, a pizza stone should never be washed with soap. The porous nature of the stone can absorb the soap, potentially tainting future pizzas with an unpleasant flavor. Instead, once the stone has completely cooled, simply scrape off any stubborn residue with a spatula or stiff brush. For tougher stains, a bit of hot water and a scrubbing brush will do the trick. These are both lessons I’ve learned the hard way over the years, and I hope these small but significant tips will help you master your grilled pizza game and prevent common pitfalls, ensuring consistently delicious results every time.
Grilled Pineapple Pizza with Prosciutto and Jalapenos
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Ingredients
- 1 ball homemade or store-bought pizza dough – at room temperature
- pizza sauce – about ¼-1/2 cup
- 1 ball burrata cheese – or ¾ cup mozzarella
- 1½ cups pineapple spears grilled and cut into chunks
- ¼ pound prosciutto. roughly chopped
- red onion – thinly sliced
- ½ jalapeno – thinly sliced into coins
- handful fresh baby arugula
Instructions
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Preheat your grill (or oven) and pizza stone, if using to 450F.
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Roll pizza dough out, and spread pizza sauce. Top with cheese, pineapple, prosciutto, red onion and jalapenos (if using).
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Once grill or oven is hot, bake for 5-7 minutes, or until cheese bubbles/crust is browned.
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Remove from heat, and top with arugula, if desired. Cut and serve!
Why This Grilled Pizza Deserves a Spot in Your Recipe Rotation
This isn’t just a recipe; it’s an invitation to rediscover pizza, to elevate your weeknight meals, and to impress your family and friends with an explosion of unexpected flavors. The combination of sweet grilled pineapple, savory prosciutto, spicy jalapeños, and fresh arugula, all brought together by the unique smoky char of the grill, creates a pizza experience that is truly unparalleled. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Hawaiian pizza or a curious newcomer, this elevated version promises to delight. It’s approachable enough for beginners but boasts a sophisticated flavor profile that will satisfy even the most discerning palates.
So, fire up your grill this weekend, gather your premium ingredients, and get ready to create a memorable meal. This Grilled Pineapple Pizza with Prosciutto and Jalapeños is more than just food; it’s a celebration of bold flavors and the simple joy of cooking delicious food at home. Enjoy every slice!
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