Cast-Iron Pizza

Article by Layla Khoury-Hanold

Cast iron pizza, aka pan pizza, strikes the ideal balance of crispy crust and edges with a tender, puffy center. Ree Drummond’s short-cut cast iron pizza recipe yields a pizza with a thick, crispy crust and a soft yet chewy interior with a fan-favorite combination of pepperoni and mozzarella. With Ree’s easy pan pizza recipe, you’ll learn how to save time with storebought ingredients, the trick to getting a golden, crisp-fried bottom crust and how to ensure a puffy yet chewy interior.

How to Make Cast Iron Pizza Like a Pro

Use storebought pizza dough. Ree’s shortcut calls for using storebought pizza dough; be sure to factor in time for the dough to thaw (if it’s frozen) and rise.

Reach for a 12-inch skillet. Ree stretches storebought pizza dough into a 14-inch circle, so using a 12-inch cast iron skillet ensures that there will be enough dough to press up the sides of the pan. This creates a dough wall that helps to contain the sauce and ensures crispy edges.

Pre-heat the skillet in a very hot oven. Baking pizza in a pre-heated skillet in a 500 degree F oven ensures that the pizza dough will bake up golden and crisp.

Add a generous amount of olive oil to the hot pan. The olive oil will add richness to the crust and ensure that the base achieves a deep golden color and crispy-fried texture.

Reach for jarred pizza sauce and spread evenly. Save more time by reaching for a good quality storebought pizza sauce and spread the sauce all the way to the edges to ensure even distribution.

Bake the pizza on the bottom rack in a 500 degree oven. Baking cast iron pizza in a very hot oven helps the dough puff up and create a chewy interior while ensuring a crispy exterior. Baking pizza on the bottom rack ensures it’s closest to the heat source and results in an even, well-cooked base without overcooking the toppings.

Add fresh basil at the end for a bright finish. Add fresh basil leaves after the pizza has cooked for a vibrant, herbaceous flavor that complements the mozzarella and tomato sauce and to add a pop of green color.

How Long to Cook Pizza In the Oven

Bake pizza in a cast iron skillet for 12 to 14 minutes in a 500 degree F oven. The pizza cook time will vary depending on the size of the pizza and individual ovens.

What Temperature to Bake Pizza

Ree Drummond bakes her cast iron pizza in a 500 degree F oven. Baking pizza in a very hot oven helps the dough puff up and create a chewy crumb as well as ensures a crispy crust.

How to Store and Reheat Cast Iron Pizza

Wrap individual slices of cast iron pizza in foil or plastic wrap and store in an airtight container or resealable storage bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Preheat a foil-lined baking sheet or a cast iron skillet in a 450 degree F oven, then reheat slices of pizza until they are heated through and the crust crisps up, about 5 minutes. For more info, check out our story How to Reheat Leftover Pizza.