How to Throw a Rustic Pizza Party

Invite friends over for a collaborative pizza grilling feast with a farmhouse feel.

By: Camille Styles

Related To:

Party in Five

Throw your own summer pizza party with just five essential ingredients: fresh pizza dough, assorted toppings, a pizza wheel, recipe cards and tall yellow sunflowers.

Farm Fresh

A simple summer table with seasonal decor allows the bright colors of the pizzas to take center stage. A no-fuss burlap runner and stoneware plates add that rustic touch that rounds out this party's farmhouse feel.

On the Agenda

Give guests a hint of the delicious flavors to come with homemade menu cards at each place setting. Print the courses onto card-stock kraft paper, then place the menus on top of striped dishtowels (perfect for rustic-looking napkins!).

Sun Salutations

For low-key parties, opt for bud vases that don't require elaborate flower arranging skills. And for a summery occasion such as this, vibrant sunflowers make the perfect floral centerpiece. Snip single stems at varying lengths, pop them into bud vases and let your bright summer table greet guests as they arrive.

By the Carafe

Nothing says "summer feast" like full glasses of wine for tasting late into a warm evening. Decant bottles of chilled rosé into carafes; line the center of the table with the bottles, keeping perfectly aerated vino within guests' reach.

Farm to Table

Heirloom tomatoes come in tons of shapes, sizes and colors. In addition to being a delicious pizza-night ingredient, they act as a centerpiece for a casual, farm-to-table look. Pick up a variety of colors and shapes (the gnarlier the better); they'll take on a cool, sculptural quality when grouped together on your table. (After the party's over, here are plenty of recipes for cooking with them.)

Glow For It

String café globe lights throughout the outdoor space to add ambiance; they're inexpensive and will dramatically light up the party as the sun goes down.

A Taste of Summer

Jump-start guests' appetites with a sweet and salty salad containing fresh watermelon, arugula, feta and sea salt. Drizzle with aged balsamic vinegar for that final savory-sweet touch.

Get the Recipe: Refreshing Watermelon and Heirloom Tomato Salad

Over the Top

Since your guests will be creating their favorite flavor combinations, provide a smorgasbord of topping options. Classic staples like fresh mozzarella, tomatoes and basil are a must, while caramelized onions and fresh figs are gourmet treats that encourage pizza experimentation. Set everything out in individual bowls so guests can help themselves.

Herbal Essences

While most of the toppings will be cooked with the pizza on the grill, a few ingredients should be saved for garnishing at the end. Sprinkle arugula, fresh herbs, sea salt or a few fresh mozzarella pieces for that perfect final touch.

Reinvent the Wheel

It's worthwhile to invest in a sturdy, sharp pizza wheel that will cut your pizzas into clean slices. Let each pizza cool for a minute or two, then cut them into wedges or squares before setting the pies in the center of the table for guests to devour.

Fragrant Memories

Help guests remember their pizza lesson long after the party by sending them home with recipe cards for perfect grill-ready pizza dough. Print the step-by-step instructions onto kraft paper card stock, then tie a sprig of rosemary to each card with twine for a colorful, rustic touch.

Finito!

Finish off your grilling party in true Italian style — with scoops of gelato. Cold, creamy and decadently sweet, nothing's more satisfying on a hot summer night. Offer a variety of options and tuck an Italian-style almond cookie into each serving for a bit of crunch.

For even more tips on throwing this pizza party, including how to prepare pizza on the grill or in an oven, click here.