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Cast Iron Pizza Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 3.9 from 22 reviews
  • Author: Ivy
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes plus 3 hours rising/resting
  • Cook Time: 18 to 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 3 hours 18 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings (4 pizzas cut into 2 slices each or adjust as preferred)
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Description

This Cast Iron Pizza recipe delivers a crispy, golden crust with a delightfully chewy interior, baked perfectly in a cast iron skillet. Using a homemade yeast dough that rises twice to develop flavor and texture, this hearty pizza is topped with classic tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and your favorite toppings. The method ensures a restaurant-quality pizza with a tender, flavorful crust and bubbling, melted cheese in under 20 minutes of oven time.

Ingredients

For the Dough

  • 1 cup warm milk
  • 1/2 cup lukewarm water
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
  • 2 large eggs (room temperature)
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar or honey
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 5 to 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour or 00 pizza flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt

For the Pizza Topping

  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Additional toppings of your choice (pepperoni, Italian sausage, ground beef, vegetables)
  • Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (for greasing skillet)
  • 1 egg (for egg wash)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the yeast mixture: Warm the milk in a saucepan or microwave until slightly warmer than lukewarm. Pour this into a large mixing bowl, add the lukewarm water, active dry yeast, and granulated sugar or honey. Stir gently and let it sit for 3 to 4 minutes until foamy.
  2. Add eggs and oil: Beat in the two room temperature eggs and the olive oil to the yeast mixture until combined.
  3. Mix the dough: Add the flour and salt to the wet ingredients. Using a stand mixer fitted with a beater attachment, mix on medium to high speed for 4 to 5 minutes, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl occasionally to ensure thorough mixing.
  4. Knead the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently for about 5 minutes. Form it into a round ball.
  5. First rise: Lightly grease the mixing bowl with cooking spray or a touch of olive oil. Place the dough back into the bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm kitchen for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  6. Second rise: Punch down the dough and cover again. Let rise for an additional hour until doubled once more.
  7. Divide and rest: Turn the dough onto a floured surface, cut into 4 equal pieces, shape each into rounds, cover loosely with plastic wrap, and let rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
  8. Roll out dough: Using a rolling pin, roll one dough piece into a circle slightly larger than the base of your cast iron skillet, keeping edges slightly thicker to form a crust.
  9. Prepare skillet: Grease a 10 or 12-inch cast iron skillet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Place the rolled dough inside the skillet, gently pressing the edges to form a raised crust. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let the dough rise for 1 hour in the skillet.
  10. Apply egg wash: Gently brush the crust edges with an egg wash (beaten egg) to enhance browning during baking.
  11. Assemble pizza: Spread 1/2 cup of tomato sauce evenly with the back of a spoon, sprinkle 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella over the sauce, then add your preferred toppings.
  12. Bake the pizza: Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C). Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly.
  13. Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese, slice, and serve warm.

Notes

  • Use 00 pizza flour for a more authentic and tender crust.
  • The two-stage rise helps develop flavor and improves dough elasticity.
  • Keep the edges of the dough slightly thicker to create a nice crust edge.
  • Greasing the cast iron skillet well prevents sticking and promotes crispiness.
  • An egg wash on the crust helps achieve a golden and shiny finish.
  • Feel free to customize toppings based on preference.
  • Let the dough rest properly between steps for the best texture.

Find it online: https://ivysrecipes.com/cast-iron-pizza-recipe/