Cast Iron Skillet Pizza Recipe

Introduction

Cast iron skillet pizza offers a crispy crust and perfectly melted cheese with a delicious homemade touch. This straightforward method uses simple ingredients to create a restaurant-quality pizza right in your kitchen.

Ingredients

• 1 pound homemade pizza dough (454 g)
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• ¼ cup pizza sauce of choice
• 1 cup loosely packed shredded mozzarella cheese (100 g)
• Pepperoni slices, as needed
• Grated parmesan cheese, as needed

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 500℉ and let the homemade pizza dough sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
2. Step 2: Spread olive oil evenly in a 12-inch cast iron skillet. Place the room temperature dough in the skillet and gently push and pull it to fit the pan. Be patient; cold dough can be elastic and may spring back. Use olive oil on your fingers if the dough sticks.
3. Step 3: Spread the pizza sauce evenly on the dough, leaving about a ½-inch border around the edge. Sprinkle about ¾ of the mozzarella over the sauce, then arrange the pepperoni slices on top. Add the remaining mozzarella on top of the pepperoni and season with black pepper or crushed red pepper if you like.
4. Step 4: Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the exposed crust edges.
5. Step 5: Place the skillet over medium heat on the stove and warm it for 3-5 minutes until the bottom of the crust sets and the oil bubbles around the pizza’s edge.
6. Step 6: Transfer the hot skillet to the center rack of the preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Step 7: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the pizza rest for 3-5 minutes before unmolding. Transfer the pizza to a cutting board and cut into slices. Garnish with extra parmesan if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Use pesto or barbecue sauce instead of traditional pizza sauce for a flavorful twist.
• If you like extra crispy crust, let the dough rest longer at room temperature before shaping.
• Add vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or olives for more variety.
• For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pizza dough prepared to fit the skillet.

Storage

Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a preheated skillet over medium heat or in the oven at 375℉ to keep the crust crispy. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought pizza dough?

Yes, store-bought dough works well as a convenient alternative. Just let it come to room temperature before shaping to make it easier to work with.

Do I need a special cast iron skillet size?

A 12-inch cast iron skillet is ideal for this recipe as it balances crust thickness and cooking time, but you can adjust with similar-sized skillets if necessary.

Cast Iron Skillet Pizza Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 86 reviews

A delicious homemade cast iron skillet pizza featuring a crispy crust, melted mozzarella, pepperoni, and parmesan cheese. This recipe combines stovetop cooking with oven baking to achieve the perfect crispy bottom and gooey cheesy top.

• Author: Viktoria
• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 1 12-inch pizza (serves 3-4) 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop and Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Pizza Dough and Base

• 1 pound homemade pizza dough (454 g)
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• ¼ cup pizza sauce of choice

For the Toppings

• 1 cup loosely packed shredded mozzarella cheese (100 g)
• Pepperoni slices, as needed
• Grated parmesan cheese, as needed

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Dough: Preheat your oven to 500℉ (260℃). Allow the homemade pizza dough to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to become more pliable and easier to stretch.
2. Prepare the Skillet and Dough: Spread olive oil evenly in a 12-inch cast iron skillet. Place the room temperature dough into the oiled skillet and gently push and pull it with your hands to fit the skillet evenly. If the dough is sticky, grease your fingers with olive oil while stretching. Be patient, as cold dough tends to spring back and requires persistent working.
3. Add Sauce and Cheese: Spread the pizza sauce (or an alternative like pesto) evenly over the dough, leaving about a 1/2-inch border around the edges. Sprinkle approximately 3/4 of the mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce, then arrange pepperoni slices on top. Add the remaining mozzarella over the pepperoni and season with black pepper or crushed red pepper if desired.
4. Prepare the Crust Edges: Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the exposed edges of the pizza crust for extra flavor and crispness.
5. Cook on Stovetop: Place the skillet on the stovetop over medium heat. Warm the skillet and cook the pizza for about 3-5 minutes until the bottom crust has set and you see oil bubbling around the outer rim, indicating it’s ready for the oven.
6. Bake in Oven: Transfer the hot skillet carefully to the center rack of the preheated oven. Bake the pizza for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
7. Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the pizza rest in the skillet for 3-5 minutes before unmolding. Transfer the pizza onto a cutting board and use a sharp knife or pizza wheel to slice. Optionally, garnish with additional parmesan cheese before serving.

Notes

• Allowing the dough to reach room temperature helps in easier stretching and prevents it from shrinking back.
• Greasing your hands with olive oil prevents dough from sticking while shaping.
• Preheating the skillet on the stove ensures a crispy bottom crust before baking.
• Letting the pizza rest after baking allows the cheese to set, making it easier to cut and serve.
• You can customize the toppings with other ingredients such as vegetables or different meats.
• Use caution when transferring the hot skillet to and from the oven to avoid burns.

Keywords: cast iron skillet pizza, homemade pizza, pizza dough, mozzarella pizza, pepperoni pizza, stovetop pizza, oven baked pizza