Cast Iron Pan Pizza

Name: Cast Iron Pan Pizza
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Ingredients: 4 ounces store-bought pizza dough; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1/4 cup pizza or marinara sauce; 6 slices pepperoni; 1/3 cup shredded whole milk mozzarella; fresh basil for garnish

Skip the delivery tonight and make this easy Cast Iron Pan Pizza right at home!

With a golden, crispy crust, gooey melted cheese, and your favorite toppings, this homemade recipe is everything you love about takeout—made even better in your own kitchen.

Whether it’s a fun Friday night dinner, this Family Dinner Idea delivers that irresistible pizzeria flavor with minimal effort.

Cast Iron Pan Pizza baked and ready to serve from Walking on Sunshine Recipes

I’ve been cooking just for myself—my husband’s been away training cadets again this summer. The other night, I was craving pizza but wanted to try something a little different from family's favorite pizza dough recipe.

So I made an individual sized using my favorite 8-inch cast iron skillet. On a whim, I snapped a few photos while it baked—just in case it turned out well. And I’m so glad I did!

Not only was this meal incredibly delicious, but it also came together in no time. I have a feeling you’re going to love this easy recipe as much as I did!

Table of Contents

Cast Iron Pizza Dough
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Main Ingredients Needed
Substitutions and Variations
Step-by-Step Instructions
Pan Pizza Toppings
How Long to Bake Cast Iron Pan Pizza
Before You Begin!
Recipe Tips for Deep Dish Skillet Pizza
How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat
Recipe FAQ's
More Pizza Recipes to LOVE
📖 Recipe Card
💬 Comments

Cast Iron Pizza Dough

You can use store-bought pizza dough, a 1-pound loaf from your favorite local pizzeria, or make your own homemade dough—whatever works best for you!
Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces; you’ll only need one for this recipe.
To store the extras, place the remaining 3 pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet and flash freeze for about 20 minutes.
Once firm, transfer the frozen dough portions to a labeled freezer-safe plastic bag. They’ll be ready to pull out for your next pizza night!

Helpful Kitchen Tools

Lodge Wildlife Series-6.5 KEOUKE Rotary Cheese Grater with Handle Vegetable Cheese Shredder Slicer Grater for Kitchen 3 Changeable Blades for Cheese Potato Zucchini Nuts Chocolate - GreyBlue Cast Iron Handle Cover, 10 Packs Silicone Pot Holders, Cast Iron Handle Covers Heat Resistant, Non-Slip Pot Handle Covers, for Frying Cast Iron Skillet Metal Pan 2PCS Pizza Wheel Cutter and Pie Server - Non-Slip Handle, Sharp Stainless Steel Pizza Slicer

Main Ingredients Needed

Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!

Substitutions and Variations

Use store-bought pizza dough, homemade dough, or even biscuit dough for a shortcut version.
Swap marinara or pizza sauce with pesto, Alfredo sauce, BBQ sauce, or even a light brush of olive oil and garlic for a white pizza.
Mozzarella is classic, but you can mix in provolone, cheddar, fontina, Monterey Jack, or even a little goat cheese for extra flavor.
Don’t have pepperoni? Use cooked sausage, shredded rotisserie chicken, bacon, or keep it vegetarian with mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This section provides step-by-step photos and instructions to guide you through the recipe. For the complete printable version, scroll down to the recipe card below.

Roll out Pizza Dough for Cast Iron Pan Pizza

Step 1: Place the pizza dough on a piece of parchment paper. Using a rolling pin, gently roll it out to fit your cast iron skillet, being careful not to make it too thin. Alternatively, use your hands to stretch and shape the dough into a circle for a more rustic look.

Brush oil in the bottom of the cast iron pan

Step 2: Make sure you preheat the cast iron pan for at least 15 to 20 minutes. You want a hot pan to put the pizza dough in. Add the olive oil to the bottom of the pan using a pastry brush.

Spread pizza dough in the bottom of the cast iron pan

Step 3: Carefully place the shaped dough into the preheated cast iron skillet—the pan will be very hot, so use caution. The dough will begin to cook immediately on contact, but you’ll still have a few seconds to gently adjust and press it into place if needed.

Pan Pizza Toppings

Spread marinara sauce on top of pizza dough

Step 4: Now comes the fun part—topping your pizza! Spread a layer of marinara or pizza sauce over the dough (homemade or store-bought both work great). Then quickly add your shredded cheese and pepperoni, keeping in mind the dough is already starting to cook in the hot pan.

How Long to Bake Cast Iron Pan Pizza

Step 5: Carefully return the skillet to the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and melted. When removing the pan, use oven mitts and take caution—the cast iron will be extremely hot. Be sure to place it on a trivet or heat-safe surface to avoid damaging your countertops.

Let the pizza cool in the cast iron pan for a few minutes. Then, use a large spatula to carefully lift it out and transfer it to a cutting board. Top with fresh basil, slice it up, and enjoy every cheesy bite!

Before You Begin!

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Cast Iron Pan Pizza with pepperoni from Walking on Sunshine Recipes

Recipe Tips for Deep Dish Skillet Pizza

Pizza Dough: Make sure to roll or stretch your pizza dough to match the size of your cast iron skillet. If it’s too thick, it may not cook evenly; too thin, and it could burn before the toppings are fully melted.

Preheat with Care: Always preheat your cast iron skillet in the oven before adding the dough. This helps create a crispy, golden crust—but remember, the pan will be very hot!

Use Heat-Safe Tools: I love using my Silicone Hot Skillet Cover Holder for extra grip and safety. Just be sure to remove it before placing the pan in the oven—it’s not oven-safe!

Protect Your Surfaces: When removing the pan from the oven, use thick oven mitts and set the pan on a trivet, wooden cutting board, or heat-safe mat. Cast iron stays hot for a long time and can scorch countertops.

Rotate if Needed: If your oven has hot spots, give the pan a quick turn halfway through baking to help the crust cook evenly.

Clean-Up Help: Don’t forget to check out my post on Easy Tips on Cleaning Cast Iron Pans to keep your skillet in great shape for your next pizza night!

How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat

Refrigerate: Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also wrap individual slices in foil or plastic wrap.

Freezer: Allow the pizza to cool completely. Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Thaw and Reheat: Thaw slices in the fridge overnight, then reheat in a 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes or in an air fryer for 3–5 minutes until hot and crispy.

Recipe FAQ's

To view the answers, simply click on the down arrow (⬇) next to each question. If you have any other questions not answered here, please leave a comment!

How do you keep pizza from sticking to a cast-iron skillet?

To prevent sticking, preheat the skillet and coat it generously with olive oil or cooking spray. You can also sprinkle a little cornmeal or flour in the pan before adding the dough for extra protection and texture.

How much dough for 12-inch cast iron pizza?

For a 12-inch cast iron skillet pizza, you'll need about 12 to 14 ounces of pizza dough (roughly ¾ to 1 pound). This amount gives you a nice thick, pan-style crust that fills the skillet without overflowing.

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Cast Iron Pan Pizza personalized just for one from WOS

More Pizza Recipes to LOVE

You might enjoy this Chicken Pesto Pizza and I know you'll love my Pizza Dipping Sauces.

📖 Recipe Card

pepperoni pizza made in a cast iron pan on cutting board.

Lois