Cast Iron Skillet Pizza Recipe

Introduction

Cast iron skillet pizza offers a delightfully crispy crust with gooey melted cheese, all cooked in one versatile pan. This easy recipe is perfect for homemade pizza night, delivering restaurant-quality results right from your oven.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 12 ounces pizza dough (store bought or homemade, room temperature)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (use low moisture block mozzarella for the crispiest crust)
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce (store bought or homemade)
• Desired pizza toppings

Instructions

1. Step 1: Move one oven rack to the very bottom and one to the top of your oven, then preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C).
2. Step 2: Evenly spread the olive oil in the bottom and sides of the cast iron pan. Gently stretch the pizza dough to fill the bottom of the pan, dimpling it with your fingers.
3. Step 3: Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the entire surface of the dough, reaching all the way to the edges. Dot the pizza sauce over the cheese evenly.
4. Step 4: Add your favorite toppings. Bake the pizza on the bottom rack for 18-20 minutes, or until the bottom crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and browning. Check the crust by lifting a side with a spatula; if not browned enough, continue baking as needed. For a more browned top, move the pan to the top rack for 2-3 minutes.
5. Step 5: Place the hot pan on a wire rack briefly. Use a sharp knife to run around the edges to prevent sticking. Carefully transfer the pizza to a cutting board with a spatula to keep the crust crisp. Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use low moisture block mozzarella instead of fresh for the crispiest crust and best melting texture.
• Let the dough come to room temperature before stretching to make it easier to work with.
• Experiment with toppings like pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, or fresh basil to suit your taste.
• If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, a heavy oven-safe pan can work as an alternative.

Storage

Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm slices in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes to keep the crust crispy, or heat briefly in a 375°F (190°C) oven.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen pizza dough for this recipe?

Yes, but be sure to thaw it completely and bring it to room temperature before stretching. This helps the dough become more pliable and easier to work with.

How do I prevent the pizza from sticking to the skillet?

Coat the bottom and sides of the skillet evenly with olive oil before adding the dough. Also, running a sharp knife around the edges after baking helps release the crust for easy removal.

Cast Iron Skillet Pizza Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 541 reviews

This Cast Iron Skillet Pizza recipe delivers a perfectly crispy crust with melted mozzarella and your favorite toppings, baked to golden perfection in a cast iron pan. Using a low moisture mozzarella and strategic oven rack placement ensures a crunchy base and bubbling cheese, making it a simple yet delicious homemade pizza option.

• Author: Leo
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Total Time: 35-40 minutes
• Yield: 1 12-inch pizza (4 servings) 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pizza Dough

• 12 ounces pizza dough (store bought or homemade, room temperature)

Toppings

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (low moisture block mozzarella preferred)
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce (store bought or homemade)
• Desired pizza toppings (e.g., pepperoni, vegetables, herbs)

Instructions

1. Prepare Oven and Pan: Move one oven rack to the very bottom and another to the top of your oven, then preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Evenly spread the olive oil in the bottom and sides of a cast iron skillet to prevent sticking and help with crisping the crust.
2. Stretch Dough in Pan: Gently stretch the pizza dough to fill the bottom of the oiled cast iron pan, using your fingers to dimple the dough lightly to create an even base for the toppings.
3. Add Cheese and Sauce: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the dough all the way to the edges. Dot the pizza sauce evenly over the top of the cheese, ensuring coverage to the edges as well for balanced flavor.
4. Top and Bake: Add your desired pizza toppings over the sauce. Place the skillet on the bottom rack of the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes until the bottom crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and browning. To check for doneness, carefully lift the edge with a spatula. If needed, bake longer on the bottom rack until the crust is browned.
5. Optional Top Browning: For a more browned cheese topping, move the skillet to the top oven rack and bake for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.
6. Remove and Serve: Once baked, place the hot skillet on a wire rack for a few moments. Run a sharp knife around the edges of the pan to loosen the crust, then use a spatula to carefully transfer the pizza to a cutting board to avoid sogginess. Serve hot and enjoy your crispy skillet pizza.

Notes

• Allow pizza dough to come to room temperature before stretching for better elasticity and easier handling.
• Using low moisture block mozzarella instead of fresh mozzarella helps achieve a crispier crust and less moisture on the pizza.
• You can customize toppings based on your preference — vegetables, meats, herbs all work great.
• Using a cast iron skillet is key to achieving the crispy bottom crust due to its heat retention properties.

Keywords: cast iron skillet pizza, homemade pizza, crispy pizza crust, easy pizza recipe, baked pizza