This easy cast iron skillet pizza is better than your local pizzeria, uses store bought dough, and is ready in less than 1 hour. It can be made in a variety of ways, so you can enjoy any way you like!
Set the pizza dough out at room temperature for 30 minutes - 1 hour before preparing the pizza.
Place a cast iron skillet in the oven and turn the oven on to preheat to 500°F. It is important for the skillet to heat in the oven for 10-15 minutes before baking the pizza.
Be sure the pizza dough is ready by patting it out into a circle, making sure that is is malleable.
Remove the skillet from the oven and drizzle about a tablespoon of olive oil into the pan.
Use a silicone brush or spatula to spread the oil until it coats the full interior of the skillet.
Working carefully (the pan is very hot!!), place the dough into the pan and pat it to fill the bottom of the pan.
Spread the sauce, cheese and pepperoni over the dough. Top with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, if desired.
Bake for 8-10 minutes at 500°, until cheese is bubbly and beginning to brown.
Notes
Storage:Store pizza in the refrigerator for 3-4 days; reheat in the microwave, oven, or air fryer.Notes:Heating the skillet while the oven preheats is really important. It ensures that the crust cooks on the outside (and the bottom) and stays soft in the center.The olive oil helps to brown the bottom of the crust and also prevents sticking in the pan.A silicone brush or spatula is best for working with the 500° pan so that nothing melts or transfers heat to your hand.You can pre-shape the dough on a lightly floured work surface as much as possible before adding it to the pan. The pan needs to be nice and hot, but you don’t want to burn your fingers working the dough once it’s in the pan. This is also why it’s important for the dough to be at room temperature before beginning. Cold dough snaps right back into its tight ball and takes a lot more work to spread into a pizza crust.This makes a nice, thick-style pizza crust.