Cast Iron Skillet Pizza
Introduction
Forget everything you know about delivery pizza. Cast Iron Skillet Pizza is a game-changer, delivering a crust that is phenomenally crisp on the bottom, tender and airy on the inside, and crowned with perfectly melted, bubbly cheese. This method harnesses the incredible heat retention of cast iron to create a pizza with a character that is deeply hearty and satisfyingly rustic. It’s the perfect solution for a fun Friday night in, a customizable meal the whole family can build together, or an impressive, easy dish for casual entertaining. You’ll want to try this recipe because it delivers a gourmet, artisanal-style pizza from your own oven, with a foolproof method that guarantees a spectacular crust every single time.
Perfect for:
Friday Pizza Night at Home
Fun Family Cooking Projects
Game Day Gatherings
Date Night In
Quick and Satisfying Weeknight Dinners
Why You’ll Love This Cast Iron Skillet Pizza Recipe
Unbeatable Crust Texture: The cast iron skillet creates an incredibly crisp, golden-brown bottom crust while the exposed top bakes to a perfectly chewy finish, rivaling any wood-fired oven.
Surprisingly Simple: No pizza stone, peel, or special equipment is needed. The process is straightforward, making professional-quality pizza accessible to any home cook.
Endlessly Customizable: This is your canvas. From classic Margherita to loaded meat lovers or creative veggie combinations, everyone can build their perfect personal pizza.
Fast and Foolproof: With a preheated skillet and store-bought dough, this pizza goes from idea to table in under 30 minutes, with minimal active effort.
Preparation and Cooking Time
Total Time: 25 minutes (with pre-made dough)
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2-3 servings (one 10-inch pizza)
Calories per serving: Approximately 450 calories (varies greatly with toppings)
Nutritional Information (Per Serving – Estimate, cheese pizza):
Calories: 450 kcal
Protein: 18g
Carbohydrates: 60g
Fat: 15g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 5g
Nutritional Disclaimer
aileen recipes is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Ingredients
-
1 lb store-bought pizza dough, at room temperature
-
1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for coating
-
1/3 cup pizza sauce
-
1 1/2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
-
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
-
Toppings of your choice (e.g., pepperoni, sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, olives)
-
Cornmeal or semolina flour, for dusting (optional)
-
Fresh basil or oregano for garnish (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
-
Preheat Skillet and Oven: Place a 10-inch cast iron skillet on the middle rack of your oven. Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C) and let the skillet heat for at least 30 minutes.
-
Shape the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, stretch or roll the room-temperature dough into a 10-inch circle. Let it rest while the skillet finishes heating.
-
Assemble the Pizza (Quickly!): Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven using oven mitts. Sprinkle the bottom lightly with cornmeal if using. Drizzle the tablespoon of olive oil into the hot skillet and swirl to coat the bottom. Immediately transfer the shaped dough to the hot skillet, pressing it out to the edges if it shrinks back.
-
Add Toppings: Quickly spread the pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a small border for the crust. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, then add your desired toppings. Work efficiently to keep the skillet hot.
-
Bake to Perfection: Place the skillet back in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly spotted.
-
Finish and Serve: Use a spatula to check that the bottom crust is crisp and browned. For a final touch, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes to brown the top more. Carefully remove the skillet from the oven. Let the pizza cool in the skillet for 2-3 minutes before sliding it onto a cutting board. Slice, garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and serve.
How to Serve Cast Iron Skillet Pizza
As a complete main course, sliced into wedges straight from the skillet for a rustic, shareable presentation.
Alongside a crisp, bitter greens salad with a lemony vinaigrette to cut through the richness of the pizza.
With a side of garlic bread knots or cheesy bread for the ultimate carb-loaded feast.
Perfect for a party appetizer; simply cut into smaller squares or strips for easy grabbing.
Topped with a drizzle of high-quality olive oil, balsamic glaze, or spicy honey right before serving.
Additional Tips for Cast Iron Skillet Pizza
Bringing your dough to room temperature is non-negotiable; cold dough will be difficult to stretch and will not bake properly.
Do not skip preheating the skillet. A screaming-hot pan is the secret to that blistered, crisp crust.
Avoid overloading the pizza with toppings, especially wet vegetables, as this can make the center soggy. Pre-cook vegetables like mushrooms and onions to release their moisture.
For a more flavorful crust, brush the outer edge with a little olive oil or garlic butter before baking.
Recipe Variations of Cast Iron Skillet Pizza
Breakfast Pizza: Use a white sauce or simply olive oil as the base. Top with scrambled eggs, cooked bacon or sausage, and cheddar cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted.
BBQ Chicken Pizza: Substitute pizza sauce with your favorite BBQ sauce. Top with shredded cooked chicken, thinly sliced red onion, mozzarella, and cilantro after baking.
Margherita Pizza: Keep it classic with sauce, fresh mozzarella slices (torn), and fresh basil leaves added after the pizza comes out of the oven.
White Garlic Pizza: Skip the tomato sauce. Brush the dough with a mixture of olive oil and minced garlic. Top with ricotta, mozzarella, and sautéed spinach.
Freezing and Storage for Cast Iron Skillet Pizza
Storage: Store leftover pizza slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat slices in the cast iron skillet over medium-low heat for a few minutes to re-crisp the bottom, or in a 350°F (175°C) oven until warm. The microwave will result in a soft crust.
Freezing: This pizza is best enjoyed fresh. Freezing is not recommended as the crust texture will suffer significantly upon thawing and reheating.
FAQ Section about Cast Iron Skillet Pizza
Can I use homemade pizza dough?
Absolutely. Homemade dough works wonderfully. Just ensure it has gone through its first rise and is brought to room temperature before shaping.
My dough is sticking to the skillet. What happened?
This is likely due to an insufficiently preheated skillet or not enough oil. Ensure the skillet is piping hot and you’ve swirled the oil to coat the entire bottom before adding the dough.
Why is my pizza soggy in the middle?
Sogginess is caused by too many wet toppings or too much sauce. Use a light hand with the sauce and consider pre-cooking vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach to remove excess water.
Can I make this in a different sized skillet?
Yes, adjust the amount of dough accordingly. A 12-inch skillet will work with 1.5 lbs of dough, and the crust will be slightly thinner. The cooking time may need a slight adjustment.
Conclusion of Cast Iron Skillet Pizza Recipe
Cast Iron Skillet Pizza is more than just a meal; it’s an experience that elevates the humble pizza into a culinary event. The stunning textural contrast of the crust—a feat difficult to achieve with standard baking sheets—makes it worth the minimal extra effort. This recipe demystifies the process of creating a phenomenal, restaurant-quality pizza at home, proving you don’t need specialized equipment, just a trusty cast iron pan. Its versatility, speed, and guaranteed delicious results make it an indispensable addition to any home cook’s recipe collection. So, preheat that skillet, gather your favorite toppings, and get ready to create the most impressive pizza of your life, right on your stovetop.