This cast-iron skillet pizza has become one of our go-to homemade pizza dinners when we want something comforting but still simple. It's like a pan pizza you'd get from your favorite local pizzeria, but made right at home.
Cooking the pizza in a cast iron pan gives you the best of both worlds. The pizza crust gets buttery and golden brown on the outside, while staying soft and fluffy inside. It's the kind of cast iron pizza recipe that gives you great results every time and feels like restaurant-quality pizzas without the extra effort.
We topped ours with hot Italian sausage and some semi caramelized onions. But honestly, this is one of those recipes you can make your own with your favorite pizza toppings, whether that's classic pepperoni pizza, veggies, or whatever you've got in the fridge.
Why You'll Love this Skillet Pizza
- The cast iron skillet creates a crispy, golden crust you just can't get from a sheet pan
- It's flexible and forgiving, use whatever toppings your family loves
- Feels like takeout, but way more budget-friendly
Ingredients You'll Need
This cast iron skillet pizza uses Italian sausage and caramelized onions for the topping, but you can easily swap in whatever your family loves.
Start with pizza dough, either store-bought or homemade (check out my easy pizza dough recipe!), both work great here. You'll also need a little olive oil to help create that golden, crispy crust in a hot skillet.
For the base, use your favorite pizza sauce, along with shredded mozzarella cheese. I like using whole milk mozzarella for the best flavor and melt.
Italian sausage adds a lot of savory flavor and makes the pizza feel a little more filling. The onions are cooked down until soft and slightly sweet, which pairs really well with the sausage.
Finish it all off with a little kosher salt and pepper to bring everything together.
How to Make Skillet Pizza
Preheat your oven to 450°F. Let your dough rest at room temperature while you prep your toppings. This baking time and temperature help create that crispy crust and soft interior.
Cook the Italian sausage in a pan over medium heat until browned, then set it aside. In the same pan, add a little oil along with your sliced onions, salt, and pepper. Lower the heat and let them cook down, stirring occasionally, for about 10-15 minutes until softened. If you have the patience, you can keep going for deeper caramelization, but honestly, I usually stop here and call it good.
Pour enough olive oil into your skillet to generously coat the bottom, letting it come slightly up the sides of the pan (about 1/8 inch). A 12-inch skillet works best here. Swirl it around so everything is well coated-this is what gives you that crispy, golden crust and keeps things from sticking.
Press your pizza dough into the bottom of the pan, pushing it slightly up along the edges. Add your pizza sauce, then layer on the cheese and toppings.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. Let it cool slightly before slicing… if you can wait that long. Finish with fresh basil if you have it for that extra pop of flavor.
Get the Recipe
Skillet Pizza
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
A crispy, golden skillet pizza with a soft, fluffy center, topped with savory Italian sausage, sweet caramelized onions, and melty mozzarella. An easy, family-friendly dinner that feels like a treat.
Ingredients
- 1 ~12oz ball pizza dough, homemade or store bought
- 3-4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup caramelized onions
- 1/2 cup Italian sausage, cooked
- 2 tablespoons jarred marinara
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, whole milk preferred
- 1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend
Caramelized Onions
- 1 yellow or sweet onion, sliced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 450°F. Let your dough rest at room temperature while you prep your toppings.
- Cook the Italian sausage in a pan over medium heat until browned, then set it aside.
- In the same pan, add a little oil along with your sliced onions, salt, and pepper. Lower the heat and let them cook down, stirring occasionally, for about 10-15 minutes until softened. If you have the patience, you can keep going for deeper caramelization, but honestly, I usually stop here and call it good.
- Pour enough olive oil into your cast iron skillet to generously coat the bottom, letting it come slightly up the sides (about 1/8 inch). Swirl it around so everything is well coated-this is what gives you that crispy, golden crust and keeps things from sticking.
- Press your pizza dough into the skillet, pushing it slightly up along the edges. Add your pizza sauce, then layer on the cheese and toppings.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. Let it cool slightly before slicing… if you can wait that long.
Notes
- If you have leftover sausage, go ahead and freeze it. It's perfect to have on hand for tossing into pasta or other quick meals later on.
- Prep Time: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
You can rate this recipe and leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @hungrywaitress!
Variations & Swaps
- Swap sausage for pepperoni, cooked chicken, or keep it veggie
- Try different cheeses like provolone or fontina for a little twist
- Add green bell peppers, olives, or spinach to bulk it up
- Make it half-and-half to keep everyone happy
Storage & Reheating
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days
- Reheat in a skillet, air fryer or oven to bring back that crispy crust
- Microwave works, but you'll lose a little of the magic (still good though!)
What to Serve With Skillet Pizza
- Simple green salad with vinaigrette
- Caesar salad or House Salad
- Roasted vegetables
Check out more dinner recipes!
Kitty says
OMG yes to this! Love that huge bubble in the crust! That's how you know its homemade!
thehungrywaitress says
Thank you Kitty! Pizza is one of my favorite things to make and eat 🙂
Kim Leggett says
Fabulous site! I'll definitely try some of your yummy recipes!
thehungrywaitress says
Thank you so much Kim!