Not only is it quick and easy to make homemade cast iron skillet pizza, but it’s so dang good that you might not ever want to order pizza again! Using a cast-iron skillet is the secret to getting the perfect crust that’s browned on the bottom and still chewy!
Rhodes frozen dough makes the best pizza crust! All you need to do is thaw the dough and add your favorite toppings!
Thanks to my friends at Rhodes Bake N’ Serv for sponsoring today’s post. As always, all opinions are my own.
Living in the middle of nowhere means that pizza delivery or even takeout pizza aren’t options. Heck, my kids didn’t even know what pizza delivery was until they stayed at their cousins’ house. When takeout isn’t an option you get pretty dang good at making homemade pizza!
I’m telling you, once you learn how to make pizza in a cast-iron skillet you’ll never look back! A cast-iron pan can be preheated to super-high temperatures which makes the best crust. And honestly, you’re going to fall in love with the idea of using Rhodes frozen dough to make pizza!
Frozen dough is my favorite shortcut for making all kinds of things like Breakfast Sliders, Garlic Knots, Parmesan Dinner Rolls, S’mores Monkey Bread, and even hamburger buns!
Table of contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
If you’ve given up on making pizza at home, you have to try it one more time! Making pizzas in a cast iron skillet is a game changer! No need to buy a cast iron pizza pan, a skillet works perfectly!
- Quick and easy! You’ll need to preheat the cast iron skillet and then bake the pizza for about 10-15 minutes, depending on how many toppings you add.
- Customize your pizza! Get creative with pizza sauce and toppings, or just stick to what you already know you love! There is nothing wrong with a pepperoni pizza! You can also make it a thin crust pizza, deep dish pizza, or personal pan pizza!
- Simple ingredients! It’s easy to keep the ingredients on hand.
- Fool-proof! This cast iron skillet pizza recipe turns perfectly every single time! Everyone goes crazy for it!
Cast Iron Pizza Ingredients:
- Rhodes Frozen Dough: If you’re making lots of pizzas you can use a loaf of white bread dough, or you can use frozen dinner rolls if you’re making personal pan pizzas or mini pizzas.
- Sauce: Use traditional pizza sauce, pesto, BBQ sauce, or whatever your heart desires!
- Cheese: Shredded mozzarella or fresh mozzarella balls are my favorites. They’re good melting cheeses. Feel free to add parmesan cheese to the top. Just add lots of cheese! It’s a great way to support dairy farmers!
- Toppings: The sky is the limit! You can make whatever variety of pizza you’d like!
How do you cook pizza in a cast iron pan:
I’m going to walk you through the steps! I think you’re going to be surprised at how easy it is to make this pizza!
It’s important to use a cast iron pan because we’re going to preheat the pan to 500 degrees, and then bake the pizza super hot. Cast iron pans can be heated to super high temperature. They also cook evenly and hold their heat well.
I have this Lodge Cast Iron Skillet and it works great. I don’t have this Lodge Cast Iron Pizza Pan but it would be perfect for making pizza.
Feel free to use any size of cast iron skillet or pan you’d like. I have a little mini cast iron skillet that’s fun for making personal pizzas.
Step 1: Let Rhodes dough thaw according to package directions. My favorite way is to let it thaw in the fridge overnight then take it out of the refrigerator a few hours before making the pizza. It’s also helpful to prepare toppings before you start making the pizza. For example, slice olives, and veggies, grate the cheese, etc.
Step 2: Set the cast-iron skillet in the oven and preheat the oven to 500 degrees. The pan should be in the oven for about 20 minutes to allow it to get really hot. Once the oven and pan are preheated carefully remove the pan from the oven. Set it on a cooling rack or hot pad to protect the countertop. Drizzle olive oil into the bottom of the skillet and carefully spread it with a paper towel or a basting brush to coat the bottom of the pan. The pan will be screaming hot, so please be careful so you don’t get burned.
Roll the dough extra thin to make a pizza with a super crispy crust. Or, roll it a little thicker if you want lots of crust. To make a deep dish pizza be sure to roll the dough a couple of inches bigger than the diameter of the pan.
Step 3: While the oven and the skillet are preheating roll the dough out to be a couple of inches bigger in diameter than the skillet you’re using. You can use a floured rolling pin or your fingers. It’s helpful to lightly dust the rolling surface with flour. Carefully set the pizza dough in the greased pan. You can lift and quickly move it to the pan, or roll it around the rolling pin to transfer it. Press it up against the sides of the pan. If you’re going to add lots of toppings you’ll want to poke the pizza dough several times with a fork and bake the pizza crust for about 7 minutes before adding the toppings. If you’re not using more than 3 toppings go ahead with step 4!
Step 4: Spread your favorite sauce on the pizza crust. This is a good time to sprinkle on Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or any other herbs you like.
Step 5: Sprinkle some grated mozzarella cheese over the pizza. Be generous!
Step 6: Add other toppings. Pepperoni is a favorite at my house!
Step 6: Bake the skillet pizza for 14-17 minutes. The crust and the toppings will be golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it sit for a minute, then use a pancake turner to remove the pizza to a cutting board. Top with fresh herbs if you want. Slice.
FAQs:
Heck yes! A cast-iron pan can be heated to extremely high temperatures. Cooking pizza in a preheated skillet is what gives it that crispy, perfectly golden-brown crust.
Yes! That’s the secret to creating a perfectly crispy crust. The hotter the skillet the better the crust will be.
Cast iron pizza can be cooked on a pellet grill, baked in the oven, or on the stovetop. I love baking it on my Traeger smoker for a wood-fired pizza vibe.
Fun Pizza Topping Options:
I love letting my kids make their own pizza! It’s fun to watch them build whatever they want! Some make deep dish pizza, some like thin crust, and they all choose different toppings! Here are some ideas!
- Hawaiian: Canadian bacon and pineapple
- Pepperoni: The classic
- Spinach and Artichoke
- Whatever leftover meat you have in the fridge (think grilled chicken, steak, bacon, crumbled sausage, pulled pork, etc.)
- Philly Cheesesteak
- Grilled Vegetables
- Mexican pizza
Related Posts
Pizza is always a hit with kids and adults alike! Here are some fun variations on traditional pizza! Be sure to check them out!
Recipe:
Cast Iron Skillet Pizza
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 loaf Frozen Bread Dough
- 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- fresh basil
Instructions
- Let Rhodes dough thaw according to package directions. My favorite way is to let it thaw in the fridge overnight. It’s also helpful to prepare toppings before you start making the pizza. For example, slice olives, and veggies, grate the cheese, etc.
- Set the cast-iron skillet in the oven and preheat the oven to 500 degrees. The pan should be in the oven for about 20 minutes to allow it to get really hot. Once the oven and pan are preheated carefully remove the pan from the oven. Set it on a cooling rack or hot pad to protect the countertop. Drizzle olive oil into the bottom of the skillet and carefully spread it with a paper towel or a basting brush to coat the bottom of the pan. The pan will be screaming hot, so please be careful so you don’t get burned.
- While the oven and the skillet are preheating roll the dough out to be a couple of inches bigger in diameter than the skillet you’re using. You can use a floured rolling pin or your fingers. It’s helpful to lightly dust the rolling surface with flour. Carefully set the pizza dough in the greased pan. You can lift and quickly move it to the pan, or roll it around the rolling pin to transfer it. Press it up against the sides of the pan. If you’re going to add lots of toppings you’ll want to poke the pizza dough several times with a fork and bake the pizza crust for about 7 minutes before adding the toppings. If you’re not using more than 3 toppings go ahead with step 4!
- Spread your favorite sauce on the pizza crust. This is a good time to sprinkle on Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or any other herbs you like.
- Sprinkle some grated mozzarella cheese over the pizza. Be generous!
- Add other toppings. Pepperoni is a favorite at my house!
- Bake for 14-17 minutes. The crust and the toppings will be golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it sit for a minute, then use a pancake turner to remove the pizza to a cutting board. Top with fresh herbs if you want. Slice.
Pyper says
This was such a great way to make the crust, and super delicious!! I don’t think my family will ever go back to what we did before!!
Amy Engberson says
I agree! This method makes the BEST crispy crust! It’s the only way to do pizza!