Hey y'all! If you love a crispy, golden crust topped with gooey, bubbling cheese and your favorite toppings, this Cast Iron Skillet Pizza Recipe is for you. It's perfect for family pizza night, game days, or any time you're craving homemade comfort food. No pizza stone needed! The cast iron creates that irresistible pizzeria-style crunch in your own kitchen. Let's get cooking!
Why You'll Love This
- Crispy, chewy crust thanks to the magical heat of a cast iron skillet.
- Versatile and customizable with your favorite sauces and toppings.
- No fancy equipment needed – your trusty cast iron does it all!
- Quick weeknight dinner ready in under 40 minutes.
- Fun for the whole family – assemble together and let everyone design their own pizza.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade, at room temperature)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra for brushing)
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12-15 pepperoni slices (or any preferred toppings)
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Directions
Step 1 – Preheat the Oven & Prepare the Skillet
- Place a 10- or 12-inch cast iron skillet in your oven and preheat to 475°F (245°C) for at least 20 minutes.
Step 2 – Shape the Dough
- On a lightly floured surface, gently press and stretch the dough to fit the size of your skillet, about 10 to 12 inches in diameter.
Step 3 – Assemble Your Pizza
- Using oven mitts, carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil into the skillet and swirl to coat the bottom and sides.
- Lay the stretched dough into the skillet. Press the edges so the crust forms up the sides.
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the surface, leaving about ½-inch border.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the sauce.
- Add pepperoni slices (or your chosen toppings). Sprinkle with dried oregano and red pepper flakes.
Step 4 – Bake It Up
- Bake in the oven for 13-16 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the crust is golden brown.
Step 5 – Finish & Serve
- Remove pizza from the oven. Brush the crust lightly with olive oil. Let cool for 3-5 minutes before slicing.
- Garnish with fresh basil if desired. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure your pizza dough is at room temperature for easy stretching—cold dough is tough to work with!
- Preheating the skillet gives you that crave-worthy crunch on the crust every time.
- Let the pizza cool a few minutes before slicing to help the cheese set.
Variations
- Veggie Lovers: Top with sautéed bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and black olives.
- BBQ Chicken Pizza: Swap pizza sauce for barbecue sauce and add cooked shredded chicken, red onion, and cilantro.
- Margherita: Use fresh mozzarella slices, a sprinkle of sea salt, and plenty of fresh basil leaves after baking.
Required Equipment
- 10- or 12-inch cast iron skillet
- Oven mitts
- Rolling pin (optional, for shaping dough)
- Cutting board and knife (for slicing)
- Measuring cups and spoons
Storage Instructions
- Store leftover pizza slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the skillet over medium-low heat or in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warm and crisp.
- For longer storage, freeze slices wrapped tightly in foil and store in freezer bags for up to 2 months.
Suggested Pairings & Serving Recommendations
- Pair with a fresh green salad tossed in balsamic vinaigrette.
- Serve with garlic knots or roasted vegetables for a hearty meal.
- A sparkling lemonade or cold lager pairs perfectly with the cheesy, crispy pizza.
Pro Tips
- Use a hot skillet—preheating is the key to a crisp bottom crust.
- Avoid overloading with toppings to prevent a soggy center.
- For extra flavor, brush the crust with garlic butter before serving.
FAQ
Can I use store-bought pizza dough?
Absolutely! Just let the dough come to room temperature for easier handling and best results.
What size skillet works best?
A 10- or 12-inch cast iron skillet creates the perfect crust thickness and cooks evenly.
How do I prevent sticking?
Generously oil the skillet before adding your dough and don’t skip preheating—the pizza will release easily and form a crispy crust.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pizza dough (store-bought or homemade, at room temperature)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus extra for brushing)
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 12-15 pepperoni slices (or any preferred toppings)
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)
Instructions
-
1Place a 10- or 12-inch cast iron skillet in your oven and preheat to 475°F (245°C) for at least 20 minutes.
-
2On a lightly floured surface, gently press and stretch the dough to fit the size of your skillet, about 10 to 12 inches in diameter.
-
3Using oven mitts, carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil into the skillet and swirl to coat the bottom and sides.
-
4Lay the stretched dough into the skillet. Press the edges so the crust forms up the sides.
-
5Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the surface, leaving about ½-inch border.
-
6Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the sauce.
-
7Add pepperoni slices (or your chosen toppings). Sprinkle with dried oregano and red pepper flakes.
-
8Bake in the oven for 13-16 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the crust is golden brown.
-
9Remove pizza from the oven. Brush the crust lightly with olive oil. Let cool for 3-5 minutes before slicing.
-
10Garnish with fresh basil if desired. Slice and enjoy!
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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