Description
Pan Pizza offers a delicious combination of a thick, golden crispy crust with gooey melted mozzarella cheese and customizable toppings. This easy-to-make, family-friendly recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and a cast-iron skillet to achieve the perfect crispy crust and melty cheesy topping, making it an irresistible comfort food ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough Ingredients
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
- 1 ¼ cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for the pan)
- 1 pinch sugar (to activate yeast)
Toppings
- ½ to ¾ cup tomato sauce (marinara or homemade)
- 1 ½ to 2 cups shredded or fresh mozzarella cheese
- Herbs and spices: oregano, basil, red pepper flakes to taste
- Optional toppings: mushrooms, bell peppers, olives, spinach, pepperoni, Italian sausage, crispy bacon, jalapeños, cheddar, parmesan, gouda, or favorite toppings
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Combine warm water, yeast, and a pinch of sugar in a bowl and let it activate until bubbling (about 5-10 minutes). Then mix in flour, salt, and olive oil, kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Preheat the Pan: Lightly oil a cast-iron or heavy-bottomed skillet and heat it over medium heat to prepare for a crispy crust.
- Shape and Cook the Dough: Press the risen dough evenly into the pan, stretching it gently to the edges. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the bottom is golden and crispy.
- Add Sauce and Toppings: Spread tomato sauce evenly over the dough, then add a generous layer of mozzarella cheese and your choice of additional toppings and herbs.
- Bake Until Perfection: Transfer the skillet to a preheated oven at 450°F (230°C) and bake for 12-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the crust edges are deeply golden.
- Serve and Enjoy: Remove from oven, allow to cool slightly, slice, and serve your homemade pan pizza.
Notes
- Use a cast-iron skillet for even heat distribution and a perfectly crisp crust.
- Do not overload the pizza with toppings to ensure proper cooking of the dough.
- Allow the dough to rise sufficiently for a light, airy interior with a crunchy crust.
- A very hot oven is key to mimicking professional pizza ovens for optimal browning and cheese melt.
- Use fresh, quality ingredients for best flavor and texture.
- Dough can be prepared up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated for deeper flavor and convenience.
- Leftovers store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; freeze slices up to 2 months.
- Reheat slices in a hot skillet or oven to maintain crust crispness rather than using a microwave.
- Cast-iron skillet is ideal but a heavy oven-safe pan or shallow baking dish can also be used.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 1 hour rising time)
- Cook Time: 20 minutes (5 minutes stovetop + 15 minutes oven)
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/6 of pizza)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: pan pizza, crispy crust pizza, cast iron pizza, homemade pizza, easy pizza recipe, cheesy pizza, comfort food, Italian pizza
