Cast Iron Skillet Pizza Recipe

Introduction

Making pizza at home doesn’t have to be complicated. Using a cast iron skillet creates a wonderfully crisp crust and perfectly melted cheese. This easy recipe brings restaurant-quality pizza straight to 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℉. Let the homemade pizza dough sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before working with it.
2. Step 2: Spread the olive oil evenly in a 12-inch cast iron skillet. Place the room temperature dough in the oiled skillet and gently push and pull it to fit the pan. Be patient—cold dough is elastic and may spring back. Grease your fingers with olive oil if the dough sticks.
3. Step 3: Spread the pizza sauce over the dough, leaving about a ½-inch border around the edges. Sprinkle about three-quarters of the mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Arrange pepperoni slices on top, then add the remaining mozzarella cheese. Season with black pepper or crushed red pepper if you like some heat.
4. Step 4: Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the exposed pizza crust for extra flavor.
5. Step 5: Place the skillet over medium heat on the stove. Warm the cast iron and cook the pizza for 3-5 minutes until the crust sets and you see the oil bubbling around the edges.
6. Step 6: Transfer the hot skillet to the center rack of the preheated oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
7. Step 7: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the pizza rest for 3-5 minutes before removing it from the pan. Place the pizza on a cutting board, slice with a sharp knife or pizza wheel, and garnish with additional parmesan if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispy crust, preheat the cast iron skillet on the stove before placing the dough in it.
• Swap pepperoni for your favorite toppings like mushrooms, bell peppers, or fresh basil.
• If your dough is sticky, lightly oil your hands or dust them with flour to make shaping easier.
• Use pesto instead of pizza sauce for a fresh twist on flavor.

Storage

Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place slices in a hot skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until the crust crisps up again and the cheese warms through. Avoid microwaving to keep the crust from becoming soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought pizza dough for this recipe?

Yes, store-bought dough works well. Just let it come to room temperature before stretching it into the skillet for best results.

What if I don’t have a cast iron skillet?

You can use a heavy oven-safe skillet or even a baking sheet, but cast iron provides the best heat retention for a crispy crust and even cooking.

Cast Iron Skillet Pizza Recipe

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4.5 from 50 reviews

This Cast Iron Skillet Pizza recipe offers a delicious homemade pizza with a perfectly crisp crust achieved by starting the dough on the stovetop and finishing it in a hot oven. Using a 12-inch cast iron skillet, the pizza dough is gently shaped and cooked with olive oil, then topped with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni slices, and parmesan cheese for a flavorful and satisfying meal.

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

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pizza Dough

• 1 pound homemade pizza dough (454 g)

For Cooking and Topping

• 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. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 500℉ to ensure it is hot and ready for baking the pizza once the crust is prepared.
2. Bring Dough to Room Temperature: Let the homemade pizza dough sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to make it easier to stretch and handle.
3. Prepare Skillet and Dough: 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 shape of the skillet. If the dough is sticky, grease your fingers or palms with olive oil to assist in shaping the dough without tearing.
4. Add Sauce and Cheese: Spread pizza sauce evenly on the dough, leaving about a ½-inch border. Sprinkle about three-quarters of the mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
5. Add Toppings: Arrange pepperoni slices on top of the cheese, then add the remaining mozzarella cheese. Optionally, season with black pepper or crushed red pepper flakes for added flavor.
6. Sprinkle Parmesan: Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the exposed crust edges for a tasty crust finish.
7. 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 sets and the olive oil bubbles along the outer rim.
8. Bake in Oven: Transfer the hot skillet to the preheated oven. Place it on the center rack and bake for 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Rest and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and let the pizza rest in the skillet for 3-5 minutes. Then transfer the pizza to a cutting board and slice it using a sharp knife or pizza wheel. Garnish with extra parmesan cheese, if desired, before serving.

Notes

• Be patient while shaping the dough, as cold dough tends to be elastic and will spring back; warming it helps with easier stretching.
• Grease your hands with olive oil if the dough sticks to prevent tearing.
• Adjust toppings to your choice, such as substituting pizza sauce with pesto or adding different meats and vegetables.
• Letting the pizza rest after baking ensures cleaner slices and better flavor melding.
• Using a cast iron skillet helps achieve a crispy crust that is difficult to replicate with other pans.

Keywords: cast iron skillet pizza, homemade pizza dough, stovetop pizza, crispy crust pizza, pepperoni pizza, easy pizza recipe, Italian pizza