Ingredients
For the Dough and Base
- 12 oz. pizza dough (at room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
Toppings
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- 1 ¾ cups whole milk, low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- 14 slices pepperoni
- ¼ cup sliced onions and peppers
Finishing Touch
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and allow it to heat for about 30 minutes to ensure your cast iron skillet achieves a perfectly hot temperature for baking the pizza crust.
- Prepare Dough: If you have 1 pound of dough, remove about a quarter to get 12 ounces of dough as this amount works best. Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface into a 14-inch circle for even coverage.
- Transfer Dough to Skillet: Spray a 12-inch cast iron skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Place the rolled dough into the skillet, pushing it halfway up the sides. Roll down the edges to create a crust edge that will hold toppings.
- Brush and Season Dough: Using a pastry brush, spread 1 tablespoon of olive oil evenly over the dough’s surface. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and dried oregano for added flavor, then pierce the dough lightly with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Initial Bake: Place the skillet on the lower rack of the oven and bake for 5 minutes. Then remove and gently blot the crust with a paper towel to remove excess oil and press the crust firmly against the skillet base to prevent bubbling.
- Add Toppings: Spread the marinara sauce evenly over the crust, followed by an even layer of mozzarella cheese. Arrange the pepperoni slices and sliced onions and peppers on top of the cheese.
- Second Bake: Return the skillet to the lower oven rack and bake the pizza for 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Finish Baking and Broil: Remove the pizza and brush the crust edges with melted butter for a golden finish. Move the skillet to the upper rack and bake for an additional 3 minutes. Then broil at 425°F for 1 minute to achieve a lightly browned, crispy top—watch it carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest and Serve: Let the pizza rest in the skillet for 3-5 minutes to set the toppings. Tilt the skillet and use a spatula to transfer the pizza to a cutting board. Slice and enjoy!
Notes
- For best results, allow the pizza dough to come to room temperature before rolling to make it easier to handle.
- If your oven does not have a broil setting, you can increase the oven temperature to the highest setting and bake for a similar effect but watch closely.
- Using a cast iron skillet ensures a crispy crust; if unavailable, a heavy ovenproof skillet or pizza stone can be substituted.
- Customize toppings as desired—vegetables, different cheeses, or meats can be used to suit your taste.
- Resting the pizza before slicing allows the cheese to set and prevents toppings from sliding off.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
