Cast Iron Pan Pizza (Pepperoni Deep Dish Pizza)
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With a cast iron skillet and high heat, my Cast Iron Pan Pizza delivers a crispy, golden crust and perfectly melty cheese. Trust me — this pepperoni deep-dish is a pizza lover’s dream! Stick around, and I’ll guide you through the simple steps to make this irresistible crowd-pleaser right at home.
Why You’ll Love This Cast Iron Pizza Recipe
Ingredient Notes
- Fresh dough | The recipe starts with fresh pizza dough at room temperature. You can use store-bought dough or a homemade dough recipe.
- Oil | Brush olive oil on the pan to prevent the crust from sticking to the sides of the skillet.
- Cornmeal | Cornmeal helps the pizza not stick to the bottom of the pan, adds a nice crunch, and prevents sogginess.
- Sauce | I like marinara sauce for its fresh, bold flavor and chunkier texture.
- Pepperoni | Add a savory, slightly spicy flavor and a nice crunch with pepperoni slices.
- Cheese | Choose melty and creamy shredded mozzarella cheese or another favorite. Blending a combination of cheeses is also delicious.
- Garnish | As soon as the pizza comes out of the oven, add fresh basil leaves for garnish.
How to Make Cast Iron Skillet Pizza
With this pizza recipe, you have options! Use homemade pizza dough or store-bought, cover it with pizza sauce or marinara, and dress it up with all your favorite toppings.
STEP 1 | Let the dough rest
Before starting the recipe, allow the fresh pizza dough to rest at room temperature for at least 1 hour.
STEP 2 | Prep the skillet
Then, start some prep by preheating the oven to 450 degrees and brush the bottom and sides of a 10-inch cast-iron skillet generously with the olive oil. Sprinkle the bottom of the skillet with cornmeal.
STEP 3 | Form the crust
Now, it’s time to roll out the pizza dough ball on parchment paper. The goal is to make it just about the size of your skillet, about a 10-inch circle. Then, gently transfer the dough to the skillet.
STEP 4 | Assemble the pizza
Sprinkle the cheese and pepperoni on top of the dough, then add the sauce, spreading it as evenly as possible.
STEP 5 | Bake
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15 – 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the pizza crust is fully cooked and crispy on the bottom.
STEP 6 | Garnish and serve
Finally, remove the pizza from the oven and garnish it with fresh basil leaves and grated parmesan if you’d like. Slice with a pizza cutter and serve directly from the skillet!
Tips from the Home Chef’s Kitchen
Check out more of my yummy homemade pizza recipes. This Pepperoni Pizza Rolls Appetizer is a hit for parties and game nights. Or enjoy this delicious Chicken Florentine Pizza.
Variations and Substitutions
- Add Your Favorite Toppings:
- For a sweet twist, top with pineapple chunks before baking
- Sprinkle the hot pizza with the classics – Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning for a hint of freshness.
- For the meat lovers, add Italian sausage, diced ham, bacon, ground beef, and meatballs.
- Add fresh vegetables like bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and olives for a savory crunch.
- Make it a BBQ chicken pizza with shredded chicken and tangy BBQ sauce drizzled on top.
- Sauce Ideas. The most common sauces for pizza include classic tomato pizza sauce, marinara, pesto, alfredo, and BBQ sauce. And yes, marinara and pizza sauce are different. Marinara sauce is a simple, chunky tomato sauce often seasoned with garlic and herbs, while classic pizza sauce is usually smoother, thicker, and can include additional spices and seasonings for a richer flavor.
- Pizza Stone Method. While a cast-iron skillet is great for getting a crisp crust with a little more thickness, like a deep dish pizza, a pizza stone is also an excellent option.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- When stored in an airtight container, the pizza will last 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
- You can also freeze it! Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and then place it in a freezer-safe bag. It should be good for about 1 to 2 months.
- To reheat, preheat your oven to 375°F. Place the pizza on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes or until warmed through and the crust is crispy.
- For a quicker option, you can reheat individual slices in a skillet over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
A little olive oil goes a long way! Brush the skillet generously before adding your dough, and don’t forget to sprinkle some cornmeal on the bottom — it adds a nice crunch and helps prevent sticking.
I don’t recommend a ready-made crust for this recipe. The fresh dough makes all the difference. However, if you’re really in a pinch, you can take a shot at using the ready-made crust. Let me know how it works out for you!
It’s not necessary for today’s recipe, but it can help. The hot skillet helps create that perfect crispy crust right from the start, so pop it in the oven while you prep your toppings. However, I don’t recommend this method if the kids are helping.
Olive oil is an excellent choice for its flavor, but you can also use vegetable or canola oil if you want something with a higher smoke point. Just make sure whatever you choose has a nice taste.
Looking for more of the Best Pizza Recipes?
For a real punch of flavor, try my Homemade Bacon Pizza with Garlic Mayo Sauce, get creative with Salami Pizza with Garlic Dijon Aioli, or an easy weeknight dinner like Prosciutto Pita Bread Pizza. Love cheeseburgers? Check out my Cheeseburger Pizza, which is made with perfectly seasoned ground beef, onions, peppers, gouda cheese, and a special sauce.
What to Serve With Homemade Pepperoni Pizza
This pizza pairs beautifully with a side or starter of freshly baked bread and Italian Restaurant-Style Olive Oil Bread Dip. Or, go lighter with a refreshing salad, like this Bravo copycat Insalata Della Casa or fresh Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad.
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Cast Iron Pan Pizza (Pepperoni Deep Dish Pizza)
Ingredients
- 1 lb. fresh pizza dough room temperature
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cornmeal
- 1 ½ cups marinara sauce
- ½ cup pepperoni slices
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Allow the fresh pizza dough to rest at room temperature for at least 1 hour before assembling the pizza.
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Brush the bottom and sides of a 10-inch cast iron skillet generously with the olive oil. Then, sprinkle the bottom of the skillet with cornmeal.
- Roll out the pizza dough on a piece of parchment paper to fit the size of your skillet, about a 10-inch circle. Make sure the dough is even and not too thick. Carefully transfer the dough to the skillet.
- Sprinkle the cheese on top of the dough, then layer with the pepperoni slices. Spoon the marinara on top and spread to cover the pepperoni and cheese.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15 – 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the crust is fully cooked and crispy on the bottom.
- Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves and grated parmesan, if desired. Slice and serve directly from the skillet.
Notes
- If needed, move the pizza to the bottom rack of the oven during the last 5 minutes of baking to crisp up the bottom crust.
- For a sweet twist, top with pineapple chunks before baking.
Nutrition
Life Love and Good Food does not claim to be a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information shared on this site is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
