Pizza Night on the Porch and Patio
The perfect evening for a spring pizza night on the back porch and patio is tonight. I wanted to find a unique location for a fun dinner, and this is the perfect spot!
I have wanted to have a fun pizza night at our home to celebrate spring. I thought I would host it on the table in our family room. But then I got thinking … and I walked around the backyard looking for an unexpected spot to host this fun evening. I finally decided on the porch and patio at the back of our home. It is just perfect.
Dinner on the Porch and Patio
I love to entertain in unexpected places. And you should do this, too! Walk outside and find a place you have never served dinner before. What about your front porch? Or a sideyard? What about your back patio or the middle of the yard?
Our backyard has a few dining areas, so our back patio seemed like the perfect spot. Our outdoor kitchen is adjacent, so I had the perfect spot to plug in my countertop Brevile Pizza Maker and cook the pizzas!
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Spring Entertaining Ideas
I decided to make a nice green salad and three different pizzas: an Arugula, Marinated Artichoke Hearts, and Goat Cheese Pizza, an Italian Sausage, Mozzarella, and Basil Pizza, and a Caprese Pizza.
Can I say that I love them all?
I am excited to share my recipes for these pizzas with you.
I used Trader Joe’s pre-made pizza dough for all of the pizzas. It’s delicious and easy, and I love it. You can also use a pre-made version, like the ones in a popup can, or make your own.
I also used my Brevile Pizza Maker. To be truthful, I have two of these pizza makers. I bought them for a New Year’s Eve Party when my guests made their pizzas, and I cooked them—all forty of them! It was such a fun and festive party, and I loved covering my kitchen island with tons of different pizza toppings!
My pizza maker only takes about 10 minutes to cook a pizza. My only advice is not to make the pizza too thick (or pile too many ingredients on top), as the top items might burn if they touch the coils. This doesn’t happen too often, but it helps to roll the pizza dough so it’s not 1″ thick! Hah!
How to Make Arugula, Marinated Artichoke Hearts, and Goat Cheese Pizza
All of these pizza recipes are so easy! Roll out the dough, top with olive oil and a handful of arugula, add the artichoke hearts, and crumble the cheese. Bake it in the oven, and enjoy!
Arugula, Marinated Artichoke Hearts and Goat Cheese Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 package Trader Joes Garlic and Herb Pizza Dough
- 1 Tbl Olive Oil
- Handful of Arugula
- Approximately 6 Marinated Artichoke Hearts
- Goat Cheese, crumbled (to taste)
Instructions
- Spread 1 Tbl of olive oil over the rolled out dough;
- Top the olive oil with a handful of arugula;
- Top the arugula with the marinated artichoke hearts;
- Top with crumbled goat cheese
Bake in pizza oven approximately 15 minutes. To cook in the stove, heat the oven at 550 degrees for thirty minutes. Place pizza on baking sheet or a pizza stone and cook for 5 minutes. Rotate and cook for 3 - 5 more minutes until done.
Notes
Add ngredients to taste. Add more or less depending on your taste.
How to Make Italian Sausage, Mozzarella, and Basil Pizza
I used a different pizza sauce for this recipe. I used red pizza sauce and also some chopped bruschetta. Doesn’t that sound fabulous? I topped it with pre-cooked chicken sausage, mozzarella balls, and freshly chopped basil. I think this was my favorite pizza of the three.
Italian Sausage, Mozzarella and Basil Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 Package Trader Joes Pizza Dough (plain)
- 2 Tbl Trader Joes Pizza Sauce
- 2 Tbl Trader Joes Bruschetta Sauce, strained
- 1 link Chicken Italian Sausage, sliced
- Approximately 8, Trader Joes Marinated Mozzarella Balls
- Fresh Basil (rolled and sliced = chiffonade) (to taste)
- Hot honey
Instructions
- Spread pizza sauce over the rolled out dough;
- Top with strained bruschetta sauce;
- Top with sliced sausage;
- Top with marinated mozzarella balls;
- Top with fresh basil
Bake in pizza oven approximately 15 minutes. To cook in the stove, heat the oven at 550 degrees for thirty minutes. Place pizza on baking sheet or a pizza stone and cook for 5 minutes. Rotate and cook for 3 - 5 more minutes until done.
Once the pizza is done drizzle with hot honey, you will love it!
Notes
Ingredients to taste. Add more or less depending on your taste
How to Make Caprese Pizza
I had never made a Caprese Pizza, but I love Caprese salad, so why not? I topped the pizza dough with bruschetta, pre-sliced mozzarella slices, freshly sliced tomatoes, and chopped basil. This was so good!
Caprese Pizza
Ingredients
- 1 Package Trader Joes Garlic and Herb Pizza Dough
- 2 Tbl Trader Joes Bruschetta Sauce
- Approximately 8 slices of Sliced Mozzarella
- Approximately 8 slices of Sliced Tomato
- Fresh Basil (rolled and sliced = chiffonade) (to taste)
Instructions
- Spread strained bruschetta sauce over the rolled out dough;
- Top with sliced mozzarella;
- Top with sliced tomatoes;
- Top with fresh basil
Bake in pizza oven approximately 15 minutes. To cook in the stove, heat the oven at 550 degrees for thirty minutes. Place pizza on baking sheet or a pizza stone and cook for 5 minutes. Rotate and cook for 3 - 5 more minutes until done.
Notes
Ingredients to taste. Add more or less depending on your taste
Isn’t this the perfect place to sit outside and have a fun evening?
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Setting the Porch and Patio Dining Area
It took me no time to set up the tabletop. I wanted to use my pink plates because they were the perfect size for salads and pizza. They aren’t plates. They are plates and bowls—or Ceramic Pasta Bowls—all in one!
I grabbed a picnic blanket for a tablecloth, my favorite Pink Linen, and Cotton Napkins to prepare the table.
Can you see the hanging cafe lights above our patio? They are perfect for summer evenings.
Here is a peek into our outdoor kitchen. We always use our grill, and I love our Green Egg. We even cook our Thanksgiving turkey in the egg. Every single year!
Frequently Asked Questions
Use a pizza stone and ensure it is preheated to the highest temperature possible. Place the dough on the stone and flip after a few minutes. Add the toppings to your pizza and cook until the pizza is cooked and the cheese is melted.
My Favorite Pizza Making Must Haves!
Similar Posts
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Hi Leslie,
We were in MN visiting my son for a college tennis match and I had Pioneer Woman on and she shared a pizza recipe. My husband started making pizzas during Covid. I have got to try the pizza dough from Trader Joes. ALso, how/where do you store blankets on porch? The only time it rains here in Colorado is when I have everything out on the patio! I think you are going to Haven! Looking forward to meeting you in person! I was part of KA mastermind! xo laura
Hi Laura, great to hear from you! It rarely rains here either but we normally keep them under the overhang we have on the back porch just in case! Or inside! I look forward to seeing you!
Looks great! I have always loved changing up the eating spaces. Years ago when we lived in Santa Fe I emptied out the family room and set it up like a little restaurant with multiple tables, trees, plants, flowers, candles and a fire in the fireplace. I also made a complete greek dinner from soup, bread, main courses, sides, to Baklava. Ha, only 31 then, could never do all that now! it was fun though and our guests had a wonderful time. Since then we have had a lot of fun entertaining including a pIzza bar with pizzas cooked on the grill. Your pizzas look delicious. Your entertaining posts are lovely and bring back many happy memories as well.
Thanks, Jillian! That sounds like so much fun and such a great idea! I am so glad you are enjoying the posts, I really appreciate your kind words.
Beautiful setting for a pizza party! I also like making Caprese pizza but with olive oil as a base instead of tomato sauce…the flavors of the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil really stand out.
Sounds so delicious, Karen!
I love your ideas for entertaining! You make it look easy. Thank you for sharing ❤️
That is very kind, Dahlia. Thank you.
You are amazing!❤❤
Thank you so much.
Hi Leslie! So excited to try your ideas! Just yesterday I got a big pizza stone for the grill! Thank you! As usual, you’re such an inspiration! Off to Trader Joe’s!! 💞
Yay! I hope you enjoy, Val!