Cast Iron Pan Pizza- Pizza Hut Copycat

If you love pizza, try making this cast iron pan pizza. I used my 48-hour pizza dough for this recipe, and the results were amazing!

My only regret is that I didn’t take more pictures of the pizza. It looked so good that I couldn’t resist stuffing myself with it as soon as it was done.

I’ve never been a follower of pan pizza, and while I thought Pizza Hut probably has the best pan pizza with its crispy bottom and soft interior, this pizza completely changed my mind. It was so much better than what you’d get at Pizza Hut!

I used my 48-hour pizza dough for this recipe, but you can use any pizza dough recipe you prefer. If you do not have time, the 2-hour pizza dough recipe or Bobby Flay’s pizza dough recipe works well, too.

But this pizza recipe is special!

You can top your pizza with nearly anything and get perfect results every time. I used mushrooms, onions, garlic, and capsicum for my toppings, but feel free to get creative with your favorite toppings.

Ingredients

1. Pizza Dough

I used my 48-hour pizza dough recipe for this pizza, but feel free to use any dough recipe you prefer. I have a couple of other pizza dough recipes that work well for pan pizzas, such as the “two-hour pizza dough” and “Bobby Flay’s pizza dough.”

Remember, if you use doughs with shorter proofing times or all-purpose flour, you might not get as many large air bubbles in the crust.

However, the crust will still be fluffy and taste amazing. I was lucky enough to have my 48-hour pizza dough ready in the fridge, so that’s what I used.

2. Mushrooms

I used garlic-sautéed mushrooms for this recipe. It’s the same method I use for my spicy garlic mushroom pizza.

I sautéed some chilies and garlic in oil, then added the mushrooms, infusing them with a delicious garlic flavor. This added a wonderful depth of flavor to the pizza.

3. Pizza Sauce

I used my special homemade pizza sauce recipe, which is simple and delicious. I adjusted the flavor with salt and sugar, adding seasonings like oregano and some olive oil for better flavor. While  basil is optional, it adds great flavor.

I like this homemade sauce as it has a perfect balance of sweet and salty, making it the ideal base for your pizza.

4. Toppings

I used a few green pepper slices for a fresh, crunchy bite that added texture to the pizza. Their freshness perfectly went well the other toppings.

I also added some sliced black olives because I love them on pizza.

5. Mozzarella Cheese

Of course, mozzarella is the OG cheese for pizza. It gives a wonderful creamy flavor and melts beautifully, creating a rich, cheesy layer with a crispy top. This cheese is essential for that perfect pizza experience.

6. Butter

To finish off the crust, I brushed some butter on it after baking to give it that gorgeous golden look.

You can brush the pizza crust with some melted butter before baking if you want an even richer flavor and a slightly crispier edge.

Either way, the butter adds a nice touch, making the pizza crust taste much better.

Tips for Making the Perfect Cast Iron Pan Pizza

1. Cast Iron Pan

I use a small 10-inch cast iron pan for making pan pizzas. It has a height of about 1.5 inches, making it perfect for creating a pizza that can easily serve two people.

If you’re cooking for more, consider using a cast iron pan that suits the number of people in your family. While there are many cast iron pan options out there, the key is to ensure your pan is well-seasoned.

Proper seasoning is crucial to make your cast iron pan non-stick, as an unseasoned pan can cause your pizza to stick. Before using your pan, make sure to season it well for the best results.

2. Placing the Dough on a Hot Cast Iron Pan

To get that perfect crispy base, always place your pizza dough on a hot cast iron pan. Here’s what I recommend: heat your pan thoroughly, then place the dough on it.

This helps the bottom crisp up quickly. Let the dough cook on the hot pan for about 2-3 minutes, then turn off the heat. The residual heat will continue to cook the base.

Avoid placing the dough on a cold pan and then heating it up, as this method often doesn’t create the same air pockets in the crust. Using a hot pan makes a noticeable difference in achieving a light, airy base with a crisp texture.

3. Cooking the Pizza in the Oven

When making a pan pizza, preheating your oven to 200°C (392°F) for at least 15 minutes is essential. This ensures the pizza cooks evenly and quickly. After cooking the base on the stove, transfer the pan to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes.

If you prefer a softer crust, you can lower the temperature slightly. For example, I sometimes bake at 190°C (374°F) for about 16 minutes. This helps the crust retain its texture while still being crispy. Experiment with the temperature and timing to find what works best for you.

4. Can You Use a Pizza Screen?

Yes, you can use a pizza screen to cook a thin-crust pizza, but it won’t technically be a pan pizza. For an authentic pan pizza, you’ll need a cast iron pan (or a similar type of pan).

However, if you don’t have a cast iron pan, you can shape the dough in a regular pan, transfer it to a pizza screen, and cook the base first. While this method works, using a cast iron pan will give you the classic pan pizza experience.

5. Sauce and Toppings

For this recipe, I use my homemade red sauce, but you can switch it up with a white garlic sauce if you prefer. While I enjoy red sauce on a pan pizza, a creamy white sauce can create a delicious twist and is worth trying.

As for toppings, feel free to get creative. I used garlic mushrooms and bell peppers for this recipe, but you can customize your pizza with pepperoni, extra cheese, or any of your favorite toppings. Every combination works beautifully on this versatile pizza.

Cast Iron Pan Pizza

Shrey
This recipe is the perfect way to enjoy a homemade pan pizza with minimal effort and maximum flavor. This cast iron pan pizza recipe creates a beautifully crispy crust while keeping the inside soft and airy. This method ensures a perfectly golden, crispy base that holds all the toppings without getting soggy. Create a pizza that tastes like it came from Pizza Hut with simple ingredients like pizza dough, pizza sauce, mushrooms, olives, bell peppers, and cheese.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 2 people

Equipment

  • 1 Cast Iron
  • 1 Convection oven

Ingredients
  

  • 300 grams Pizza Dough
  • 2 tbsp Pizza Sauce
  • 6-7 Finely Slices Capscicum
  • 6 Sliced Black Olives
  • 1 tbsp Butter
  • Spicy Garlic Mushrooms

Spicy Garlic Mushrooms

  • 4 cloves Garlic
  • 8-10 Medium sized Mushrooms
  • 2 Chillis Finely Chopped
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil()

Instructions
 

  • Take a pizza dough ball and stretch it evenly in a pan. For a 9-inch cast iron pan, use about 300 grams of pizza dough. You can adjust the dough weight based on your choice for a thicker or thinner crust, but 300 grams generally works well for a balanced crust.
  • Heat a cast iron pan or pizza steel(place it inside the oven unlike cast iron pan) on high heat for a few minutes till you see smoke coming out of the surface . Once it’s hot, place the stretched pizza dough into the pan to cook the base. This step ensures a nice, crisp crust at the bottom. Let it cook for 2-3 minutes on high heat, then turn off the heat and remove the pan from the stove.
  • Spread pizza sauce evenly over the partially cooked dough. Add cheese and your preferred toppings. To secure the toppings, gently press them down with some melted butter.
  • Place the pan pizza in a preheated oven. Preheat the convection oven to 200°C for about 15 minutes and bake the pizza at 190-200°C for 15-16 minutes.
  • Once done, remove the pizza from the oven. Slice and serve hot. Enjoy your delicious homemade pan pizza!

Spicy Garlic Mushroom

  • Add olive oil to a pan, then finely chop chillis and garlic into it and saute it. Make sure they dont turn brown and cook until the oil gets fragrant.
  • Cook the mushrooms in this oil at high heat for 5-10 minutes. Add salt at the end of cooking the mushrooms. Transfer the mushrooms to a bowl and let it cool down a bit.
Keyword Cast Iron Pan Pizza, Pan Pizza Cast Iron, Pan Pizza Recipe

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating