The Best Cast Iron Skillet Pizza (30 Minute)

The Best Cast Iron Skillet Pizza (30 Minute)

2 servings
Ditch the pizza stone for this cast iron skillet pizza! There is no outer crust on a skillet pizza so the toppings go from edge to edge, which means extra cheese, extra toppings, extra delicious! Crisp bottom, soft chewy center - think of this like a deep dish pizza but not as deep. Did I forget to mention all you need is 30 minutes?

Ingredients

  • 1 pizza dough ball

    divided in to two pieces, recipe in notes or store bought

  • 4-6 tbsp olive oil + more if needed
  • 16 ounces mozzarella cheese

    grated

  • 1 package pepperonis
  • dried oregano
  • 14 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 clove garlic

    minced

  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Directions

  1. 1

    This recipe is for TWO skillet pizzas using one dough ball, cut in half

  2. 2

    Preheat oven to 500

  3. 3

    Heat the cast iron skillet on a stovetop over medium heat

  4. 4

    Add enough olive oil to the bottom of the skillet to completely cover it, about 2-3 tbsp but you may need more or less

  5. 5

    Divide the dough into two pieces, use a rolling pin to roll each piece out on a floured surface so it is slightly bigger than the skillet

  6. 6

    Place the dough in the skillet, cook a few minutes, you will see it bubble up

  7. 7

    Use a spatula to check the bottom it should be a light golden color

  8. 8

    Add the toppings going all the way to the edges, start with pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese then top with pepperonis

  9. 9

    Bake in the oven until the cheese is completely melted, switch the oven to the broil setting and cook until your desired level of crisp (2-3 minutes is usually enough)

  10. 10

    Carefully remove from the oven and slide the pizza on to a cutting board to cool

  11. 11

    Prepare your next pizza with the same steps as above

  12. 12

    Sprinkle oregano on top before serving

The Best Cast Iron Skillet Pizza (30 Minute)

The Best Cast Iron Skillet Pizza (30 Minute)

4.5(126)25 min2 servings

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Simple Sourdough Pizza Crust

Simple Sourdough Pizza Crust

What you need to make this recipe...: ...a sourdough starter. Ideally, you want to use your starter 4 to 6 hours after you feed it, when it has doubled in volume and is very bubbly and active. Here are three sources: Breadtopia King Arthur Flour Cultures for Health ...time. Once your starter is ready to go, this recipe requires an initial 6 - 18 hour rise, followed by at least 6 hours in the fridge or up to 3 days.  Timing/Schedule: The more I make sourdough, the more I realize that the timing of each bake depends so much on the time of year and the temperature of my kitchen. In the summer, because it is warm and humid, the first rise (bulk fermentation) of all my sourdoughs takes between 6 - 8 hours; in the winter it will take longer, 10 to 12 hours. It is best to rely on visual cues. For the bulk fermentation, you want the dough to double or less than double: I now end my bulk fermentation when the dough has risen by 50% to 75% in volume. This is why I cannot recommend using a straight-sided vessel  (as opposed to a bowl) enough. It makes gauging the first rise easier. If at any point you are worried the dough will over-ferment — say, for example, the bulk fermentation is nearly complete but you are tired and want to go to bed — stick the vessel in the fridge and pick up the process in the morning. (Note: If your dough rises above double, don't despair ... my dough has tripled in volume during an overnight rise, and the resulting dough still had plenty of strength and spring.) Schedule: I like mixing this dough in the evening, performing 4 stretch and folds before I go to bed (if time permits), then letting the dough complete its bulk fermentation at room temperature (68ºF) overnight or in the refrigerator (especially in the summer, when my kitchen is much warmer). In the morning, it's typically ready to be portioned (if it rose at room temperature), transferred to quart containers, and stashed in the fridge. If I had let my dough spend time in the fridge for the bulk fermentation, I remove it in the morning, and let it complete its bulk fermentation at room temperature. Once complete, I portion the dough and stash it in the fridge. Sometimes I'll use the dough that same evening; sometimes I'll use it the following day or the next. I encourage using the dough within 3 days.  In short: If you want pizza for the weekend, mix your dough on either Wednesday or Thursday.  Troubleshooting: If you have issues with your dough being too sticky, please read this post: Why is my sourdough so sticky? The 4 common mistakes. Water: If you live in a humid environment or if you are making this on a particularly humid day, consider starting with less water, such as 335 grams of water, which will bring the hydration down to 70%. This amount of water will still produce a light airy crust but the dough will be more manageable.  Flour choice:  Due to supply issues, I've been making this recipe with all-purpose flour, and it works beautifully. You absolutely can use bread flour or tipo 00 flour if you can get your hands on either. If you can't, know that all-purpose (unbleached) flour works great here. If you use 00 flour, you'll likely need to reduce the amount of water. I would start with 350 g, and adjust moving forward based on your results.  Favorite Pizza-Making Tools: Baking Steel Pizza Peel Parchment Paper: I bake my pizzas on parchment paper on my Baking Steel. Parchment allows for easy transfer from peel to steel.  Cast Iron Skillet: If you do not have a Steel or stone, you can use a cast iron skillet. Rub a half teaspoon of oil over its surface, transfer a stretched dough round to the skillet. Top as desired. Bake at 450ºF for about 15 minutes.  Quart Containers for storing dough

25 hours4 servings

Ratings & Reviews

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Based on 126 ratings

moderncrumb.com
4.5(126 reviews)
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About this Recipe

Imagine biting into a perfectly crisp, cheesy pizza, overflowing with toppings, all made from scratch in your kitchen in just 30 minutes. This cast iron skillet pizza recipe makes that dream a delicious reality, delivering an authentic pizza parlor experience without ever having to call for takeout.

The magic of this recipe lies in the cast iron skillet itself. It creates an incredibly crisp bottom crust that stands up to generous toppings, while the center remains delightfully soft and chewy. Plus, without a traditional outer crust, you get an uninterrupted canvas for extra cheese and pepperoni right to the very edge, ensuring every single bite is packed with flavor.

Prepare for a truly satisfying pizza experience that’s reminiscent of a deep dish, yet not quite as heavy. Each bite offers a delightful contrast: the robust flavor of crushed tomato sauce seasoned with minced garlic, dried oregano, and a hint of crushed red pepper flakes, paired with rich, melted mozzarella and savory pepperoni. The crust is sturdy enough to hold all these wonderful flavors, delivering a golden-brown crispness on the bottom with a tender, airy interior. It’s comforting, hearty, and undeniably delicious.

This skillet pizza is wonderfully adaptable to your preferences. While classic pepperoni is a star, feel free to swap it for other cooked meats or an assortment of vegetables. You could even add a sprinkle of fresh basil after baking for a brighter flavor. For the sauce, adjust the crushed red pepper flakes to your desired spice level, or omit them entirely if you prefer a milder taste.

This easy cast iron skillet pizza is perfect for a weeknight family dinner, a casual get-together with friends, or a quick, satisfying treat for two. Serve it alongside a simple green salad for a complete meal.

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