Cast Iron Skillet Pizza Recipe
There’s something truly magical about making pizza in a cast iron skillet, and this Cast Iron Skillet Pizza Recipe is one of my all-time favorites to share with friends. The skillet crisps up the crust just perfectly while keeping the inside chewy and tender, giving you that ideal balance between crunch and softness. Plus, it’s so handy when you want homemade pizza that’s quick, no fancy pizza stone needed.
I love making this recipe when I want a cozy night at home or when friends drop by last minute. It’s forgiving, fun, and you can toss on whatever toppings you love (or have in the fridge), making this a fantastic go-to pizza night plan. Trust me, once you try this Cast Iron Skillet Pizza Recipe, it’ll become a kitchen staple for you, too.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients hit the sweet spot for homemade pizza — simple but packed with flavor. I find keeping the dough at room temperature really helps it stretch easily and bake evenly in the skillet.
- Pizza dough: Go for fresh if you can, and let it come to room temp for easier handling and better texture.
- Olive oil: A light brush adds flavor and helps crisp up the crust beautifully.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty touch that pairs wonderfully with mozzarella.
- Dried oregano: Gives that classic Italian aroma and a slight herby punch.
- Marinara sauce: Use your favorite brand or homemade — it’s the pizza’s tomatoey heart.
- Mozzarella cheese: Go for whole milk or low-moisture for the best melt and stretch.
- Butter: Brushing melted butter on the crust before the final bake gives a perfect golden shine and rich flavor.
- Optional toppings (pepperoni, sliced onions, peppers): Customize it exactly how you like — I adore the combo of pepperoni and sweet peppers for a little kick.
Variations
One of the reasons I keep coming back to this Cast Iron Skillet Pizza Recipe is how adaptable it is. I love encouraging you to play with your favorite toppings or even swap out cheeses.
- Veggie Lover’s Version: I’ve had great luck loading it up with mushrooms, spinach, and artichoke hearts — just make sure to sauté wetter veggies first to avoid soggy crust.
- Gluten-Free Dough: I replaced the dough with a store-bought gluten-free version once, and it still crisped up nicely thanks to the hot skillet.
- Spicy Twist: Adding some crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce or using spicy sausage really wakes things up.
- Cheese Blends: Mixing mozzarella with provolone or a sprinkle of parmesan on top gives a more complex cheese flavor.
How to Make Cast Iron Skillet Pizza Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prep Like a Pro
Set your oven to 475°F and give it at least 30 minutes to really heat up. That’s key because cast iron thrives with high, steady heat — it’s what crisps the crust so beautifully. While that’s warming, lightly flour your surface for rolling out the dough.
Step 2: Shape the Dough with Care
Roll your 12 oz. dough into a 14-inch circle. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect — rustic shapes taste just as good! Spray your 12-inch skillet with nonstick spray and gently press the dough so it covers the bottom and halfway up the edges. Rolling the edges down creates that lovely pizza crust that crisps and browns.
Step 3: Oil, Season, and Dock
Brush the dough surface with olive oil — this helps keep everything from sticking and adds flavor. Sprinkle parmesan cheese and dried oregano liberally, then poke small holes with a fork all over to stop massive bubbles from forming during the first bake. This little trick keeps the crust even.
Step 4: Par-Bake the Crust
Place the skillet on the lower oven rack and bake for 5 minutes. When you pull it out, dab excess oil with a paper towel — too much oil can cause sogginess — then gently press the dough back down so it stays snug against the skillet. This step really sets you up for a great final crust.
Step 5: Add Sauce, Cheese & Toppings
Spread your marinara sauce evenly, then layer on mozzarella and any toppings you love. Make sure not to overload — a balanced pizza bakes more evenly and crisps better.
Step 6: Bake and Broil to Finish
Return the skillet to the oven’s lower rack, and bake for 10 more minutes to melt the cheese and cook toppings. Then brush the crust with melted butter — this trick adds a golden shine and rich flavor. Move the skillet to the upper rack and bake for another 3 minutes, followed by broiling at 425°F for 1 minute. Keep a close eye during broiling; you want bubbly cheese without burning.
Step 7: Rest, Slice, and Enjoy!
After removing from the oven, let the pizza rest 3-5 minutes in the skillet — this helps the cheese set slightly, so slices stay put. Then, tilt the skillet and use a spatula to slide the pizza onto a cutting board. Slice, serve, and savor that crispy, cheesy goodness!
How to Serve Cast Iron Skillet Pizza Recipe
Garnishes
I love finishing this pizza with a sprinkle of fresh basil or oregano, and a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for that fresh, vibrant lift. Sometimes, a quick dusting of chili flakes or a grind of fresh black pepper really amps up the flavor.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides tend to be light and complementary: a crisp Caesar salad or roasted garlic green beans pair wonderfully here. For something heartier, I sometimes serve with garlic knots or a simple antipasto plate alongside.
Creative Ways to Present
For gatherings, I like bringing the entire cast iron skillet to the table — it’s rustic, cozy, and keeps the pizza warm longer. Sometimes, I cut the pizza into smaller squares for sharing like party bites, which always sparks conversation and smiles.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After cooling, I wrap leftover pizza slices tightly in plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container in the fridge. This keeps them fresh for up to 3 days. I find that removing cold leftovers from the fridge about 15 minutes before reheating helps them warm evenly.
Freezing
I’ve frozen individual slices wrapped well in foil and plastic wrap, and they reheat surprisingly well. Just freeze on a baking sheet first, then transfer to a freezer bag to avoid sticking. These keep for up to 2 months and save well for quick meals.
Reheating
To bring leftover pizza back to its crispy-best, I reheat it in a cast iron skillet on medium heat with a lid on for a few minutes. This crisps the crust again while warming the toppings evenly. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep that crunch!
FAQs
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Can I use store-bought pizza dough for this Cast Iron Skillet Pizza Recipe?
Absolutely! Store-bought dough works great. Just make sure to let it come to room temperature before rolling to prevent tearing and to get that ideal stretchy texture. It makes the process even quicker and still yields excellent results.
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What size skillet should I use for this recipe?
A 12-inch cast iron skillet is perfect because it fits the dough well and ensures the crust cooks evenly. Using a larger skillet might make your crust too thin, while a smaller one would crowd the toppings.
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How do I prevent the crust from getting soggy?
The initial 5-minute par-bake without toppings helps set the crust. Also, dabbing off excess oil before adding sauce and toppings prevents sogginess. Using a hot oven and cast iron skillet ensures a crispy bottom, too.
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Can I make this pizza vegan or dairy-free?
Yes! Simply swap the mozzarella for a dairy-free cheese alternative and use olive oil instead of butter for brushing the crust. Many vegan dough options exist as well to keep the recipe 100% plant-based.
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Is it necessary to broil at the end?
Broiling for a short minute adds a beautifully bubbly and slightly charred cheese top, making the pizza extra appetizing. But if you prefer, you can skip this step—your pizza will still be delicious, just missing that finishing touch.
Final Thoughts
Making pizza never felt so easy and satisfying as with this Cast Iron Skillet Pizza Recipe. It has a way of turning simple ingredients into something cozy and special that just feels comforting after a long day. If you love crispy crusts and melty cheese as much as I do, I promise this will be your new favorite way to make pizza at home. Grab your skillet, and let’s get cooking!
Print
Cast Iron Skillet Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Description
This Cast Iron Skillet Pizza recipe delivers a perfectly crispy crust with a rich blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, fresh marinara sauce, and optional toppings like pepperoni and sautéed peppers and onions. Cooking in a cast iron skillet and using high oven heat ensures a beautiful, golden-brown crust, while simple techniques like oil brushing and pre-baking the dough keep bubbles at bay. Ideal for a quick yet delicious homemade pizza experience.
Ingredients
Pizza Dough and Base
- 12 oz. pizza dough, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
Toppings and Sauce
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- 1 ¾ cups mozzarella cheese, whole milk/low moisture
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Optional Toppings
- 14 slices pepperoni
- ¼ cup sliced onions and peppers
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 475° F, ideally allowing it to heat for 30 minutes so the cast iron skillet can get thoroughly hot for optimal crust development.
- Prepare Dough Amount: If starting with a full pound of dough, remove a quarter to use exactly 12 oz., as this amount works best for this recipe.
- Shape Dough: Roll the dough into a 14-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Spray a 12-inch cast iron skillet with nonstick cooking spray and transfer the dough into it. Stretch the dough halfway up the sides of the skillet, then roll the dough downwards to create a raised crust edge.
- Oil and Season Dough: Using a pastry brush, spread 1 tablespoon of olive oil evenly over the dough surface. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and dried oregano. Use a fork to poke holes evenly across the dough’s surface to allow steam to escape and prevent bubble formation during baking.
- Pre-bake Crust: Place the skillet on the lower oven rack and bake the dough for 5 minutes. Remove the skillet carefully and use a paper towel to dab any excess oil away while pressing the crust down to ensure even contact with the skillet.
- Add Sauce and Toppings: Spread the marinara sauce evenly over the pre-baked crust, then layer the mozzarella cheese and add any desired optional toppings such as pepperoni, sliced onions, and peppers.
- Bake Pizza: Return the skillet to the lower oven rack and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese melts and starts to bubble.
- Finish Crust and Broil: Remove the skillet from the oven, brush the melted butter over the crust edges, and then transfer the skillet to the upper oven rack. Bake for 3 more minutes, then broil at 425° F for 1 minute, watching closely to avoid burning, to achieve a golden, crispy crust.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the pizza to rest in the skillet for 3-5 minutes. Carefully tilt the skillet and use a spatula to slide the pizza onto a cutting board. Slice and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- This recipe yields 4 servings.
- Optional toppings such as pepperoni, onions, and peppers can be adjusted to your preference.
- Preheating the oven for a full 30 minutes is crucial for a crispy crust when using a cast iron skillet.
- Use a fork to poke holes in the dough to prevent bubbling during the first bake.
- Allow the pizza to rest after baking for easier slicing and better flavor development.
- Nutritional information excludes optional toppings and is estimated per serving.
