Cast Iron Skillet Deep Dish Pizza 🍳🧀 Thick, Crispy-Edged, and Overflowing With Cheese, Sauce, and Golden Crust

The Cast Iron Skillet Deep Dish Pizza brings serious heft and comfort — golden, buttery dough pressed into a screaming-hot skillet, layered with melty cheese, chunky sauce, and whatever toppings you want to stack sky-high.

The bottom gets crispy. The sides puff up like a crown. And when you slice in, it’s molten pizza perfection.

Ingredients (Serves 2–4, depending on hunger)

Dough

• 1½ cups (190g) all-purpose or bread flour
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp instant yeast
• ½ cup + 2 tbsp (150ml) warm water
• 1 tbsp olive oil (plus more for the pan)
• Optional: 1 tsp cornmeal for the bottom crunch

👉 Best-Ever Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe

Sauce

• ½ cup crushed tomatoes
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tsp olive oil
• Salt, pepper, and a pinch of oregano
• Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes or sugar

Toppings

• 1½ cups shredded mozzarella (low-moisture)
• ¼ cup parmesan or pecorino
• Your choice of toppings:
  • Pepperoni or sausage
  • Sautéed spinach or mushrooms
  • Roasted red peppers or onions
• Optional: fresh basil, chili oil, or hot honey to finish

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Dough (Quick or Overnight)

1. Mix flour, yeast, salt, and water until a shaggy dough forms. Add oil and knead for 4–5 minutes until smooth.
2. Cover and let rise until doubled — 1–2 hours at room temp or overnight in the fridge.
3. Optional: refrigerate dough for 1 day for better flavor.

Step 2: Preheat the Skillet

1. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
2. Place a 10-inch cast iron skillet in the oven for 10–15 minutes.
3. Remove carefully, coat bottom and sides with 1–2 tbsp oil, and sprinkle with cornmeal (if using).

Step 3: Press and Layer

1. Press dough into the hot skillet, pushing it up the sides. Let rest 5 minutes if it springs back.
2. Add cheese first — this protects the crust.
3. Add any toppings (meats, veggies).
4. Spoon sauce on top in big dollops — you don’t need to cover everything.
5. Finish with parmesan or pecorino.

Step 4: Bake

1. Bake for 20–25 minutes until crust is deep golden and edges are crispy.
2. Optional: broil 1–2 minutes to brown the top.

Step 5: Rest and Slice

1. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing — the cheese is lava-hot.
2. Run a spatula around the edge to loosen and lift.
3. Slice straight from the skillet and serve hot.

Flavor Variations

• Meat Lover’s – Layer sausage, pepperoni, and bacon under the sauce
• Veggie Supreme – Load up with peppers, olives, mushrooms, onions
• Spicy White Pie – Use ricotta + mozzarella + chili oil + roasted garlic
• Buffalo Chicken Deep Dish – Toss cooked chicken in buffalo sauce and top with blue cheese and mozzarella

Drink Pairings

• Beer – Hazy IPA, amber ale, or smoked porter
• Wine – Zinfandel, Sangiovese, or chilled Lambrusco
• Non-Alcoholic – Sparkling lemonade or iced black tea

Pro Tips

• Want extra crispy bottom? Preheat the skillet longer and don’t skimp on oil.
• Let it rest after baking — cutting early ruins the structure.
• Cast iron holds heat — it’ll stay hot at the table, so serve with care.

Final Thoughts

The Cast Iron Skillet Deep Dish Pizza is big, molten, and deeply satisfying — all crunch and chew, sauce and stretch. It’s not subtle, and it’s not fast — but it’s 100% worth it.

Crisp the crust. Stack the cheese. Slice deep. 🍳🧀🔥🍕

🍕 Explore Our Homemade Pizza Recipes

From Neapolitan-style classics to bold flavor combos and deep-dish comfort, these pizza recipes cover every craving — made right in your own kitchen.

🍅 Classic Margherita Pizza – Fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomato sauce on a crispy crust.
🧀 Four Cheese Pizza – A rich, melty blend of mozzarella, fontina, parmesan, and goat cheese.
🥩 Pepperoni & Hot Honey Pizza – Sweet heat meets salty crisp in this fan-favorite combo.
🍄 Mushroom & Caramelized Onion Pizza – Umami-packed and irresistibly savory.
🧄 White Garlic Pizza – No red sauce, just creamy garlic bliss and mozzarella.
🌶️ Spicy Sausage & Jalapeño Pizza – Bold, meaty, and built for heat lovers.
🥬 Spinach & Artichoke Pizza – A cheesy white-sauce twist on the classic dip.
🍗 BBQ Chicken Pizza – Smoky BBQ sauce, tender chicken, and melty cheese.
🍕 Cast Iron Skillet Deep Dish – Crispy-edged, cheesy-centered deep-dish perfection.
🌿 Pesto Veggie Pizza – Loaded with fresh veg and herby green pesto sauce.