This creamy, flame-kissed white clam pizza is easy to make and so delicious.
Love clams? Then this white clam pizza is definitely for you! This creamy clam with bacon pizza also benefits from that flame-kissed flavor of the grill. Pizza stones are recommended for this recipes.
What is Clam Pizza?
Clam pizza was invented in the 1960s by pizzeria owner Frank Pepe in New Haven, Connecticut. Pepe added raw littleneck clams, a regional favorite to his pizza offerings, and the rest is history. In modern variations the clams are cooked, and other meats like bacon or pancetta are added to the pizza. Mozzarella and Romano cheese give this dish its signature white appearance, hence the name white clam pizza.
Ingredients:
- Clams: This recipe calls for canned clams based on its convenience factor, but if you can get your hands on some fresh steamed clams, even better. Aim for 12-13 ounces.
- Bacon: Cooked and crumbled. You can also use turkey, bacon, or pancetta for this recipe if you have it on hand.
- Garlic: Chop or minced
- Mozzarella and Romano Cheeses
- Olive Oil
- Pizza Dough: Look for a raw, premade dough in the refrigerator section of your local grocery store. You can use frozen and thawed dough or make your own.
- A Pizza Stone
How to Make White Clam Pizza
- Place peeled garlic in a microwave-safe bowl with 1 tablespoon of water. Microwave on high for 1 minute. This step will remove the harshness from the garlic, but the flavor will remain.
- Remove garlic from the microwave oven and let it cool for 2-3 minutes before handling. Slice thinly and set aside.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat or 400 degrees F.
- Divide pizza dough into 4 equal-sized pieces and roll them into 8″-9″ rounds on a floured surface. Place two of the dough rounds on a pizza stone.
- Brush olive oil on each round and top with equal parts of clams, garlic, crumbled bacon, and cheese. Return to the grill over low heat. Close lid and grill until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown, about 6-8 minutes. Repeat the process with the next two pizzas.
- Once the white clam pizzas are cooked through, transfer them to a large cutting board. Top with fresh arugula and cut each into fourths. Serve immediately.
Cook White Clam Pizza in the Oven
You can always cook these delicious clam pizzas right in your oven. Follow the above directions for your indoor grill, and cook the pizza as you usually would in the oven. Plan on a cooking temperature of 400 degrees F.
Serving and Alternatives
- This white clam pizza recipe makes four personal-sized pizzas perfect for family dinner, pizza parties, or even appetizers. Slice each pie into fourths or smaller pieces if serving as an appetizer—double or triple the recipe based on your needs.
- If you’d like to make a larger pizza (say, 1 or 2, instead of 4 small ones), follow the directions above and adjust cooking times as needed.
Like this White Clam Pizza recipe? Try these!
White Clam Pizza
This is a great pizza for clam lovers. If you want to, you can add other seafood such as: chopped cooked oysters or shrimp. This is the perfect summer time cookout item, or pizza party option. Easy, delicious and fun to make.
Print Pin RateServings: 8
Calories: 222kcal
Ingredients
- 2 6.5-ounce cans of clams, drained
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 6 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 3/4 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/3 cup Romano cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 12 ounces pizza dough
- 1 cup arugula
Instructions
- Place peeled garlic in a microwave-safe bowl with 1 tablespoon of water. Microwave on high for 1 minute. This step will remove the harshness from the garlic, but the flavor will remain.
- Remove garlic from the microwave oven and let it cool for 2-3 minutes before handling. Slice thinly and set aside.
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat or 400 degrees F.
- Divide pizza dough into 4 equal-sized pieces and roll them into 8″-9″ rounds on a floured surface. Place two of the dough rounds on a pizza stone.
- Brush olive oil on each round and top with equal parts of clams, garlic, crumbled bacon, and cheese. Return to the grill over low heat. Close lid and grill until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown, about 6-8 minutes. Repeat the process with the next two pizzas.
- Once cooked through, transfer pizzas to a large cutting board. Top with fresh arugula and cut each into fourths. Serve immediately.
Notes
Photo by: kengzz/ Pixabay Indoor options: You can always prepare these delicious clam pizzas on an indoor grill or right in your oven. Follow the above directions for your indoor grill, and cook the pizza as you normally would in the oven. You will need to adjust times and aim for a cooking temperature of 450 degrees F.
Nutrition
Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 434mg | Potassium: 31mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 142IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 125mg | Iron: 1mg
