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Crispy Cast Iron Loaded Deep Dish Pizza Skillet

cast iron deep dish pizza skillet - featured image

A quick and easy deep dish pizza made in a cast iron skillet with a crispy golden crust, gooey cheese, and loaded toppings. Perfect for busy weeknights and customizable to your taste.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour (about 310g)
  • 1 teaspoon instant yeast
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup warm water (240ml)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (about 200g)
  • 8 ounces Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled (optional)
  • ½ cup diced green bell pepper
  • ¼ cup sliced black olives
  • ½ cup sliced fresh mushrooms
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 1 cup marinara sauce (240ml)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • A handful of fresh basil leaves, torn
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast by combining warm water (about 110°F/43°C), sugar, and instant yeast in a small bowl. Stir gently and let sit for 5–7 minutes until foamy.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Add melted butter and yeast mixture. Stir until combined, then knead on a floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  3. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes to 1 hour until doubled in size.
  4. Cook Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat and set aside. Prepare vegetables and shred cheese.
  5. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Place cast iron skillet in oven to heat.
  6. Punch down risen dough and roll or stretch into a 12-inch (30 cm) circle.
  7. Remove hot skillet from oven, drizzle olive oil on bottom and sides, and press dough into skillet, pushing up edges.
  8. Sprinkle half the mozzarella cheese evenly over dough, then add sausage and vegetables.
  9. Spread marinara sauce over toppings, then sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top.
  10. Bake in oven for 20–25 minutes until crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
  11. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with torn basil leaves and serve directly from skillet.

Notes

If cheese browns too quickly, tent skillet with foil halfway through baking. For extra crispy crust, preheat skillet thoroughly and consider a 2-3 minute broil at the end. Keep toppings dry to avoid soggy crust. Dough rising time is important for a light, chewy crust.

Nutrition

Keywords: deep dish pizza, cast iron skillet pizza, loaded pizza, homemade pizza, easy pizza recipe, crispy pizza crust