Easy Cast Iron Skillet Pizza: Crispy Crust, Gooey Cheese, 30-Minute Perfection
Forget the delivery and elevate your pizza night with this incredible cast iron skillet pizza recipe! It delivers everything you crave in a perfect pie: a wonderfully crispy, caramelized crust, mountains of gooey, bubbling mozzarella, and your favorite toppings spread generously from edge to edge. This isn’t just another pizza; it’s a game-changer that transforms a simple meal into an unforgettable culinary experience right in your own kitchen.
The beauty of this skillet pizza lies in its simplicity and speed. It comes together in about 30 minutes, making it the ultimate solution for a busy weeknight or a relaxed Friday evening. Whether you’re a seasoned baker using your go-to chewy pizza dough or opting for the convenience of a store-bought shortcut, this recipe guarantees a delicious meal that hits the table fast and disappears even faster. Once you savor the distinct texture and flavor of a cast iron pizza, you’ll find it hard to go back to ordinary takeout!
No pizza night is truly complete without the perfect accompaniment! To make your meal even more satisfying, I highly recommend adding a batch of bold Parmesan bread bites or rich, buttery garlic rolls on the side. They’re fantastic for feeding a crowd or simply when you’re craving those extra delightful carbs (and honestly, who isn’t?). Both options bake quickly and often use similar pantry staples to pizza dough, making them ideal additions without much extra effort. Trust me, these sides will take your pizza experience to the next level!
Why Cast Iron Makes the Best Pizza
The secret to this pizza’s exceptional texture lies in the trusty cast iron skillet. Unlike a traditional baking sheet or even a pizza stone, cast iron excels at retaining and distributing heat evenly across its surface. This intense, consistent heat is what creates that signature ultra-crispy, golden-brown crust that’s both satisfyingly crunchy on the outside and wonderfully chewy in the center. The high thermal mass of cast iron mimics the intense heat of a professional pizza oven, ensuring a perfectly cooked base every time. Plus, a well-seasoned cast iron pan naturally promotes a beautiful caramelization on the dough, adding layers of savory flavor you won’t get anywhere else.
How to Make This Skillet Pizza Masterpiece
Creating this delicious cast iron skillet pizza is straightforward and rewarding. Follow these simple steps for a perfect pie:
Before you begin, ensure your oven is properly prepared. Move one oven rack to the very bottom position and another to the top position. This setup is crucial for achieving that perfectly crispy bottom crust and beautifully browned top. Then, preheat your oven to a blazing 450°F (230°C). Don’t rush this step; a properly preheated oven is key to success!
Step 1: Generously Oil the Pan
Pour a tablespoon of olive oil into your cast iron pan. Use your hand, a brush, or a paper towel to spread the oil evenly across the entire bottom and up the sides of the pan. This step is vital for achieving that desirable crispy, golden crust and prevents the pizza from sticking. Don’t be shy with the oil; it contributes significantly to the flavor and texture.
No cast iron skillet? No problem! While a cast iron skillet offers the best results, a well-oiled metal baking pan can also work as a solid backup. It might not achieve quite the same level of crispness, but it will still deliver a delicious homemade pizza if a craving strikes.
Step 2: Add the Pizza Dough
Gently stretch 12 ounces of your pizza dough to evenly cover the bottom of the pan. Press it down lightly with your fingertips, making sure it reaches all the way to the edges but doesn’t go up the sides of the skillet. If the dough springs back, cover it with a towel and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before trying again. This helps the gluten relax, making it easier to stretch.
A crucial tip: If you’re using store-bought or frozen dough, ensure it’s fully at room temperature before you attempt to stretch it. Cold dough is stiff and difficult to work with, making it hard to fill the pan evenly and potentially leading to uneven baking.
Step 3: Layer the Cheese First
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the entire surface of the dough. It’s important to make sure the cheese goes all the way to the very edges of the dough, extending almost to the rim of the pan. As it bakes, this outer ring of cheese will caramelize and meld with the crust, creating irresistible crispy, cheesy edges that are a hallmark of a great skillet pizza.
For the best results, opt for low-moisture, block mozzarella that you shred yourself. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can hinder optimal melting and crisping.
Step 4: Add the Sauce Strategically
Spoon your favorite tomato sauce over the cheese. Don’t spread it too thickly; just a nice, even layer. This method of adding the sauce on top of the cheese (rather than directly onto the dough) is a key technique for preventing a soggy crust. The cheese acts as a barrier, protecting the dough from the sauce’s moisture and ensuring your pizza stays perfectly crisp.
Step 5: Choose Your Toppings Wisely
Now for the fun part: add your favorite pizza toppings! While it’s tempting to pile on everything in sight, trust me when I say that “less is more” for skillet pizza. Too many toppings can weigh down the crust, causing it to become soggy in the center and hindering that beautiful crispiness you’re aiming for. Keep it simple with one or two lighter toppings to let that perfectly crispy bottom shine through.
Great choices include pepperoni, thinly sliced mushrooms, bell peppers, or onions. Avoid water-heavy vegetables like fresh tomatoes or excessive amounts of anything that will release a lot of moisture during baking.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place your prepared skillet pizza on the bottom rack of your preheated oven. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the bottom of the crust is a deep golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown nicely. To check the bottom crust, carefully lift an edge with a spatula. If it needs more time, continue baking on the bottom rack.
If the top of your pizza isn’t browning to your liking, simply move the pan to the top rack for an additional 2-3 minutes. Keep a close eye on it during this final stage to prevent burning.
Occasionally, you might notice large bubbles puffing up in the middle of the dough while it bakes. Don’t worry, this is completely normal! If it happens, gently poke the bubble with a knife or a fork to release the steam, and it will settle back down without affecting your pizza.
Essential Tips for the Best Cast Iron Skillet Pizza
- Room Temperature Dough is Key: Always ensure your pizza dough is at room temperature before stretching. Cold dough is elastic and will fight you, making it hard to get an even crust.
- Low-Moisture Mozzarella for Crispiness: While fresh mozzarella is delicious, it contains too much water for skillet pizza. Use a low-moisture, block mozzarella (shredded yourself if possible) for the crispiest crust and best melt.
- Don’t Overdo the Toppings: Resist the urge to pile on too many toppings. An overloaded pizza can lead to a soggy center and uneven cooking. Stick to 1-3 lighter toppings.
- Preheat Your Oven and Skillet Thoroughly: A hot oven and skillet are vital for achieving that perfect crispy bottom crust quickly. Give your oven at least 20-30 minutes to come to temperature.
- Sauce Over Cheese: This is a game-changer! Placing the sauce over the cheese creates a barrier that prevents the dough from absorbing moisture and becoming soggy.
- Serve Immediately: For the ultimate experience, serve your cast iron pizza hot out of the oven. A wire rack is great for resting it momentarily before transferring to a cutting board to prevent a soggy bottom.
If you’re a bread lover, don’t let your oven cool down after making this amazing pizza! There are so many other delightful baked goods to explore. For a savory brunch or snack, try my savory bacon cheddar scones. Or, for a more sophisticated, yet equally satisfying, experience, whip up my caramelized onion focaccia – it’s like pizza’s elegant cousin, boasting incredible flavor and a delightful texture. Both are guaranteed crowd-pleasers and total showstoppers!
If you tried this amazing cast iron skillet pizza recipe or any other recipe on my website, please let me know how it went in the comments below! Your feedback means the world to me, and I love hearing about your culinary successes. While you’re there, please consider leaving a star rating to help other home cooks discover this delicious recipe! You can also tag me on Instagram or Facebook so I can see your beautiful creations and share them with the community!
Cast Iron Skillet Pizza
Equipment
- 12″ cast iron pan recipe is for 12″, see notes below for a 9″
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 ounces pizza dough (store bought or homemade), room temperature *SEE NOTES*
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, use a low moisture block mozzarella instead of fresh for the crispiest crust
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce (store bought or homemade)
- desired pizza toppings
Instructions
- 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.
- Evenly spread the 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.12 ounces (10 ounces) pizza dough (store bought or homemade), 1 tablespoon (7 g) olive oil
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the entire top of the dough, all the way to the edges. Then dot the sauce over the cheese, all the way to the edges.2 cups (120 g) shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup (110 g) pizza sauce (store bought or homemade)
- Add your favorite toppings, then bake it on the bottom rack for 18-20 minutes, or until the bottom of the crust is golden brown and the cheese is browning and melted. To check the crust browning, lift up the side with a spatula. If needed, continue baking it on the bottom rack until browned. If you desire a more browned top, move the pan to the top rack of the oven for 2-3 minutes.desired pizza toppings
- Place the hot pan on a wire rack momentarily, then use a sharp knife to run around the edges of the pan to keep the crust from sticking to the pan. Use a spatula to carefully transfer the pizza to a cutting board to keep the crust from getting soggy. Serve hot and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- 2 tsp oil
- 10 ounces pizza dough
- 1/3 cup pizza sauce
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese
The calorie information provided for the recipe is an estimate. The accuracy of the calories listed is not guaranteed.