If you’re a seafood lover, this white clam pizza is a must-try! The blend of melted cheese, tender clams, and crispy bacon gets a boost of smoky flavor from the grill. Plus, it’s easy to make and sure to please!
If you haven’t tried white clam pizza, you are in for a treat. The flavors are out of this world. Imagine biting into a creamy pizza filled with clams, bacon, savory garlic, two types of ooey-gooey cheese, and chopped fresh herbs, all on a perfectly grilled crust. It’s delicious and a fantastic choice for entertaining guests.
Please note that this recipe makes either 4 personal sized pizzas, or 2 medium sized, or one large pizza. Times are based on a cooking temperature of 450 degrees F:
- 4 personal sized pizzas: 6-8 minutes.
- 2 medium pizzas: 8-12 minutes.
- 1 large pizza: 15-18 minutes.
The Rise of White Clam Pizza
Clam pizza was invented in the 1960s by pizzeria owner Frank Pepe in New Haven, Connecticut. Pepe introduced raw littleneck clams as a pizza topping option, and the rest is history. In modern recipes, cooked clams are used, along with cured meats like bacon or pancetta. Mozzarella and Romano cheeses give this dish its characteristic white appearance, which gave rise to the name white clam pizza.
Ingredients
- Clams: This recipe uses canned clams for convenience, but if you can source fresh steamed clams, even better. Aim for 12-13 ounces.
- Bacon: Cooked and crumbled. You can also use turkey bacon, or pancetta.
- Garlic
- Fresh Oregano: Substitute with fresh basil.
- Mozzarella and Romano Cheeses
- Olive Oil
- Pizza Dough: Use raw, premade or homemade dough. For homemade gluten-free dough, please see my Pellet Grill Pizza recipe.
- A Pizza Stone
How to Make White Clam Pizza
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat or 450 degrees F.
- Roll out dough: 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.
- Assemble pizzas: Brush olive oil on each round and top with equal parts of clams, sliced garlic, crumbled bacon, chopped oregano, and cheese.
- Grill them: Place pizzas on the grill, close lid, and cook until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown, about 6-8 minutes. Repeat the process with the next two pizzas. (Cook one at a time if making 2 medium-sized).
- Slice and serve: Once the white clam pizzas are cooked through, transfer them to a large cutting board and cut them into fourths. Serve immediately.
- Leftovers: Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 325-degree oven for best results.
Oven-Baked White Clam Pizza
No grill? No problem! You can always bake these delicious clam pizzas right in your oven. Follow the instructions in the recipe card below, but bake the pizza in the oven at 450 degrees F. instead.
Serving and Alternatives
- This white clam pizza recipe makes four personal-sized pizzas perfect for family dinners, pizza parties, or even appetizers. Slice each pie into fourths or smaller pieces if serving as an appetizer.
- For larger pizzas follow the directions and adjust cooking times as needed. See recipe notes below for guidance.
More Pizza Recipes!
White Clam Pizza
Ingredients
- 2 6.5-ounce cans of clams, drained
- 2-3 cloves garlic, sliced thin
- 8 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup Romano cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 12 ounces pizza dough
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano (sub with basil)
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat or 450 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, sliced garlic, crumbled bacon, chopped oregano, and cheese.
- Place pizzas on the grill, close lid, and cook until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown, about 6-8 minutes. Repeat the process with the next two pizzas. (Cook one at a time if making 2 medium-sized).
- Once the white clam pizzas are cooked through, transfer them to a large cutting board and cut them into fourths. Serve immediately.
- Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 325-degree oven for best results.
Notes
- 4 personal sized pizzas: 6-8 minutes.
- 2 medium pizzas: 8-12 minutes.
- 1 large pizza: 15-18 minutes.
