Indoor Grilled BBQ Beef Short Rib and Bacon Pizza Recipe
Bold barbecue flavors meet crispy pizza perfection in this hearty comfort food creation. Tender shredded beef short ribs and smoky spiced bacon top a grill pan-cooked crust with sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheese. The grill pan technique creates distinctive char marks and a crispy bottom while keeping cooking indoors. Perfect for weekend dinners or game day gatherings when you want restaurant-quality barbecue pizza at home. The custom bacon seasoning blend adds layers of smoky heat that complement the rich beef and tangy BBQ sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 recipe Pizza Dough, makes 2 12 inch pizzas
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups BBQ Boneless Beef Short Ribs, shreddedpulled pork1:1protein-swap
different meat flavor
- 1 cup Bacon BBQ Sauce, can use more or less per liking
- 1 ½ cups sharp cheddar, shredded
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella, whole milk, shredded
- 8 slices Thick cut bacon, coated in BBQ Spiced Bacon Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon celery salt
- ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon fresh black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
Instructions
- 1
Combine all BBQ spiced bacon seasonings in a bowl
- 2
Preheat oven to 400F and line baking sheet with foil
- 3
Place cooling rack on baking sheet and lightly spray
- 4
Dredge bacon in spice mixture and place on rack
- 5
Bake for 13 minutes, flip and bake another 13 minutes
- 6
Cool bacon 1 minute then remove with tongs
- 7
Brush grill pan with oil and heat over medium high heat
- 8
Stretch pizza dough to fit pan circumference
- 9
Place dough in hot pan when it starts to smoke
- 10
Cover and cook 2-3 minutes until grill marks form
- 11
Flip dough, cover and cook 2 more minutes
- 12
Flip again and quickly top with sauce, beef and cheeses
- 13
Cover and cook 1 minute
- 14
Add bacon on top and cook 1 minute until cheese melts
- 15
Remove with large spatula and drizzle with extra BBQ sauce
Tips
Use a cast iron grill pan for best char marks and heat retention during the cooking process.
Work quickly when adding toppings after flipping the dough to prevent overcooking the bottom crust.
Let the bacon cool slightly before adding to pizza to prevent cheese from becoming too greasy.
Good to Know
Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days. Reheat in oven at 350F for best results.
Prepare bacon and seasonings up to 1 day ahead. Assemble pizza fresh for best texture.
Serve immediately while cheese is melted and crust is crispy. Cut into wedges with pizza cutter.
Common Mistakes
Heat grill pan until smoking to avoid soggy bottom crust.
Work quickly when adding toppings to prevent burning the dough.
Don't overload with toppings to avoid soggy center.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
different meat flavor
FAQ
Can I use a regular skillet instead of a grill pan?
Yes, but you won't get the characteristic grill marks. A cast iron skillet works well for crispy bottom crust.
What if I don't have BBQ beef short ribs already made?
You can substitute with any leftover barbecued meat like pulled pork, brisket, or even rotisserie chicken.
How long will leftover pizza keep?
Store covered in refrigerator up to 3 days. Reheat in 350F oven for 5-8 minutes to restore crispiness.