Skillet pepperoni pizza brings big pizza flavor to your kitchen without special equipment. You use one pan, a hot oven, and simple ingredients and the result tastes as good as take-out.
This homemade deep dish pizza recipe works for a weeknight dinner, casual gatherings, or anytime you want pizza with less effort. The cast-iron skillet creates a crisp bottom and golden edges while keeping the center tender and cheesy.
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Heather’s Notes
- You get a crisp crust without a pizza stone. The cast iron pan traps heat and cooks evenly.
- The skillet pizza recipe works with homemade or store bought dough. You control time and effort.
- Pepperoni renders in the oven and flavors the sauce and cheese.
- One pan means easy cleanup and fast serving.
- The pizza slices clean and holds its shape.
Ingredient List
- Homemade or store bought pizza dough – forms the base and structure. In a cast-iron pan, the pizza crust bakes up crisp on the bottom with a chewy interior. Store bought dough saves time while homemade adds depth.
- Red Pizza sauce – adds moisture and acidity. It balances the richness of cheese and pepperoni and keeps the crust from drying out.
- Mozzarella Cheese – melts smoothly and stretches when sliced. It creates the classic pizza texture and binds toppings together.
- Pepperoni – delivers fat, salt, and spice. In a skillet, it crisps slightly and releases flavor into the cheese and sauce.
- Parmesan cheese – adds sharpness and depth. A light sprinkle boosts savory flavor without overpowering the mozzarella.
- Italian seasoning – brings herbal notes. It lifts the sauce and cheese with oregano, basil, and thyme flavors. Totally optional.
Subs & Variations
- Swap pepperoni for cooked Italian sausage, mushrooms, or kalamata olives. Or your favorite toppings.
- Use low moisture mozzarella for less moisture and more browning. Or other pre-shredded cheeses like cheddar cheese.
- Add crushed red pepper flakes for heat.
- Finish with fresh basil after baking for brightness.
- Try a mix of mozzarella and provolone, or other good melting cheeses, for extra melt and flavor.
Find the full printable recipe card with exact measurements and step-by-step instructions below.
How to Make Skillet Pepperoni Pizza
- Start by preheating your oven.
- Lightly oil the skillet with olive oil. One a lightly floured cutting board, use a rolling pin or hand stretch the pizza dough into a round slightly larger than the pan. Press it gently into the skillet, pushing dough up the sides of the pan to form a crust edge.
- Spread pizza sauce evenly over the top of the dough. Leave a small border around the edge for the crust.
- Add mozzarella in an even layer. Scatter pepperoni across the cheese so slices overlap slightly. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the top. Finish with Italian seasoning.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake until the crust looks golden brown, the cheese bubbles, and pepperoni curls at the edges. This usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes depending on oven heat and dough thickness.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and rest the pizza for a few minutes. Slice directly in the pan or lift out carefully to a cutting board and use a pizza cutter and serve.
Tips for storing
- Avoid microwaving if you want a firm crust.
- Let pizza cool before storing to avoid soggy slices.
- Store slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Reheat in a skillet over medium heat to restore crispness.
Recipe FAQ’s
Cast iron works best because it holds heat. A pizza stone or heavy oven safe skillet also works if it tolerates high heat.
Not preferably: Let the dough ball rest at room temperature first. Cold dough resists stretching and bakes unevenly.
Check pizza near the end of baking. If the top is done before the bottom, move the skillet to a lower rack.
Yes, bake the pizza, cool, and store slices in an airtight container or plastic wrap. Reheat in a skillet or oven for best texture.
More Recipes to Try
- Easy 20 Minute Pizza Dough
- Pesto & Burrata Skillet Pizza
- Spicy Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
- Garlic Herb Chicken Pizzas
- Quick Tempura Fish
Skillet Pepperoni Pizza Recipe
Recommended Tools
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 pizza dough, homemade or store-bought
- 4 tbsp prepared pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 8 oz sliced pepperoni
- 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 475ºF. Lightly grease a 15″ cast iron skillet.
- On a lightly floured cutting board, use a rolling pin or hand stretch the pizza dough into a round slightly larger than the pan. Press it gently into the skillet, pushing dough up the sides of the pan to form a crust edge.
- Spread pizza sauce evenly over the top of the dough. Leave a small border around the edge for the crust.
- Add mozzarella in an even layer. Scatter pepperoni across the cheese so slices overlap slightly. Sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the top. Finish with Italian seasoning.
- Transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake until the crust looks golden brown, the cheese bubbles, and pepperoni curls at the edges. This usually takes about 15 to 20 minutes depending on oven heat and dough thickness.
- Remove the skillet from the oven and rest the pizza for a few minutes. Slice directly in the pan or lift out carefully to a cutting board and use a pizza cutter and serve.
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Notes
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is not guaranteed to be accurate.
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Hi! I’m Heather
I’m Heather, a recipe developer and content creator based in Vancouver, Washington. I started Farmgirl Gourmet in 2006 because I believed weeknight dinners shouldn’t be boring and gourmet shouldn’t mean complicated. I’m also the co-founder of Spiceology, so safe to say I think about food for a living. Stick around for recipes that actually make it into your regular rotation.
Great for busy weeknights.