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Cast Iron Pizza

Cast iron pizza delivers restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen with a crispy, charred crust and gooey melted cheese, all done in under 30 minutes using a 12-inch skillet.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 3 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 385
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 0.5 teaspoon instant yeast
  • 0.75 teaspoon salt
  • 0.75 cup warm water 105–110°F
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 0.75 cup pizza sauce or marinara
  • 2 cups fresh mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 1 to 2 cups toppings of your choice pepperoni, fresh basil, caramelized onions, mushrooms, or sausage
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
  • 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese grated

Equipment

  • 12-inch cast iron skillet
  • Oven preheated to 500°F
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Mixing bowl
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Pizza peel or large spatula
  • Oven mitts or kitchen towels

Method
 

  1. Combine 1.5 cups all-purpose flour, 0.5 teaspoon instant yeast, and 0.75 teaspoon salt in a mixing bowl.
  2. Pour 0.75 cup warm water (105–110°F) and 1 tablespoon olive oil into the bowl and stir until a shaggy dough forms, about 1 minute.
  3. Knead the dough by hand for 5 to 7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  4. Coat the inside of a 12-inch cast iron skillet with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, tilting to cover bottom and sides.
  5. Press and stretch the dough to fit the skillet; rest for 2 minutes if it resists, then continue shaping.
  6. Spread 0.75 cup pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 0.5-inch border around the edges.
  7. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded mozzarella over the sauce, then add your chosen toppings evenly.
  8. Top with remaining mozzarella, 2 cloves minced garlic, 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and 0.25 cup grated Parmesan.
  9. Cook the skillet over medium-high heat on the stovetop for 2 to 3 minutes until the bottom sizzles and starts to brown.
  10. Transfer the skillet to the preheated 500°F oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until cheese is bubbly and crust edges are golden brown.
  11. Remove the skillet with oven mitts and let the pizza rest for 2 minutes before slicing and serving.

Notes

Preheating the cast iron skillet ensures a crispy bottom and reduces total cook time by a few minutes.