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When most people hear the words pizza oven, they instantly picture a bubbling cheese pizza with a crispy crust coming out of the flames. But that’s only the beginning of what a high-performing, wood-fired outdoor pizza oven can do. Whether you're hosting a summer cookout or enjoying a cozy evening outdoors, your pizza oven can handle far more than pizza. From steaks and breads to desserts and roasted veggies, let’s explore the wide variety of delicious meals you can create.
Why a Pizza Oven Is More Than a Pizza Maker
A modern wood-fired or hybrid pizza oven offers versatility unmatched by ordinary grills or kitchen appliances. With precise heat retention and even temperature distribution, your oven becomes a complete outdoor cooking station.
When you buy quality pizza ovens, especially those made in the USA, like the Chicago Brick Oven, you’re getting a piece of equipment built for everything from quick bakes to slow roasts. It’s an investment in flavour, experience, and authentic wood-fired cooking.
1. Fire-Roasted Meats and Steaks
One of the most exciting non-pizza dishes to make in a pizza oven is fire-roasted meat. The intense heat crisps the outer layer while locking in tender, juicy textures inside.
Try cooking:
- Steaks: Use a cast-iron pan or grill grate inside your outdoor pizza oven. A quick sear at high heat gives you that perfect crust.
- Chicken: Marinate and roast a whole chicken for smoky flavour and even browning.
- Ribs: Slow cook them at lower temperatures for a few hours to achieve that fall-off-the-bone tenderness.
Whether you're cooking for a small family dinner or a large gathering, your pizza oven adds a distinct, wood-fired character that’s hard to recreate in a conventional oven.
2. Freshly Baked Bread
Artisan breads rise beautifully in the radiant heat of a pizza oven. The combination of crispy crusts and hearty interiors makes it ideal for sourdough, focaccia, or ciabatta.
Preheat your oven, then let the retained heat bake your bread evenly without drying it out. Many home bakers even prefer outdoor pizza ovens to replicate old-world bakery conditions. The result? Bread that’s soft, aromatic, and baked to perfection every time.
3. Flavorful Roasted Vegetables
If you love roasted veggies, an outdoor pizza oven will become your best friend. Vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, potatoes, mushrooms, and onions caramelise beautifully when cooked at high temperatures under a flame.
Simply toss them in olive oil, add herbs, and place them in a roasting pan. The wood heat enhances natural sweetness and adds that earthy smoky touch that screams outdoor cooking.
4. Seafood Delights
Wood-fired seafood is extraordinary. The heat of the oven locks in moisture and lends a flame-kissed flavour unlike anything else.
Try recipes such as:
- Garlic butter shrimp skewers
- Lemon herb salmon fillets
-
Wood-roasted scallops or even whole fish
Cooking fish in your outdoor pizza oven delivers perfectly seared edges without losing tenderness, a must-try for seafood lovers.
5. Casseroles and Pasta Bakes
Your pizza oven’s consistent heat makes it perfect for baked pasta dishes like lasagna, mac and cheese, or vegetable casseroles.
Simply prepare your ingredients, layer them in an oven-safe dish, and let the fire work its magic. The top layer develops a golden crust while the inside stays creamy and comforting. This is a great way to keep your outdoor dining area active all year round, not just pizza night.
6. Wood-Fired Desserts
Yes, your pizza oven can even handle dessert. The gentle, even heat after your main cooking session is perfect for sweet treats.
Try:
- Fruit cobblers made with seasonal peaches, apples, or berries
- Cinnamon rolls with a smoky glaze
-
Chocolate lava cakes that stay gooey in the middle
You’ll be surprised how the subtle hint of smoke adds depth to sugary desserts.
7. Appetisers and Flatbreads
Beyond traditional pizzas, you can make pita bread, naan, breadsticks, and flavorful flatbreads topped with herbs, oils, or cheeses.
Appetisers like wood-fired dips, baked brie, and stuffed mushrooms also come out beautifully golden within minutes. Having an outdoor pizza oven means you can keep guests satisfied from appetisers to the main course.
8. Roasted Potatoes and Comfort Sides
Sides like roasted potatoes, corn on the cob, or baked beans cook perfectly in residual oven heat.
After making your main dish, you can slide a cast-iron skillet filled with seasoned potatoes into the oven and let them roast while you enjoy your meal. It’s an energy-efficient and flavour-packed way to make side dishes that complement any menu.
Shopping for a Versatile Pizza Oven
If you’re ready to explore all this cooking potential, check out pizza ovens from Chicago Brick Oven. Every oven is made in the USA and crafted for performance, durability, and safety. Whether you prefer a countertop model, built-in option, or a full outdoor kitchen setup, you’ll find the right fit for your space.
Buying your pizza oven online gives you access to a wide range of accessories, DIY kits, and hybrid fuel options that let you cook year-round. Plus, with CBO’s Flame Roll™ Technology, you’ll get optimal heat circulation for whatever meal you’re making.
The Joy of Wood-Fired Cooking
Cooking in a pizza oven isn’t just about food; it’s about the experience. Standing in front of the flames, sharing stories, and enjoying a meal together make every cookout memorable.
Whether it’s fire-roasted meats, baked breads, or smoky desserts, your outdoor pizza oven can do it all. With the right ingredients, a little creativity, and a reliable oven, your backyard can become your favourite dining spot.
