Cheesy Crust Skillet Pizza: The Ultimate Comfort Food Recipe
Craving pizza night but want something a little more… decadent? Look no further than this Cheesy Crust Skillet Pizza! This recipe takes everything you love about pizza – the savory sauce, the melty cheese, your favorite toppings – and elevates it with a glorious, crispy, cheesy crust baked to golden perfection in a cast-iron skillet. It’s easy to make, incredibly satisfying, and perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering.
Why This Recipe Works
* **Crispy, Cheesy Crust:** The cast-iron skillet and a generous layer of cheese create a crust that’s impossibly crispy on the bottom and edges, with a delightful cheesy pull. It’s like the best part of a traditional pizza crust, amplified!
* **Customizable Toppings:** This recipe is a blank canvas! Use your favorite pizza sauce, cheeses, and toppings to create a pizza that’s exactly to your liking. Whether you’re a pepperoni lover, a veggie fanatic, or a gourmet pizza enthusiast, the possibilities are endless.
* **Easy to Make:** Don’t let the fancy-sounding name intimidate you. This recipe is surprisingly simple to put together, especially if you use store-bought pizza dough. The skillet does most of the work for you!
* **Perfect for Sharing:** A skillet pizza is a great way to feed a crowd or enjoy a cozy night in with family. Just slice it up and let everyone dig in!
Ingredients You’ll Need
**For the Crust:**
* **1 pound Pizza Dough:** You can use store-bought dough (fresh or frozen, thawed) or make your own. If using frozen dough, make sure it’s completely thawed before starting.
* **2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese:** This is the star of the cheesy crust! Use a good quality mozzarella that melts well. Part-skim or whole milk mozzarella will both work.
* **1/4 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese:** Adds a salty, nutty flavor to the crust.
* **1 tablespoon Olive Oil:** Helps to create a crispy crust and prevents sticking.
* **1 teaspoon Garlic Powder:** For extra flavor in the crust.
* **1/2 teaspoon Dried Oregano:** Adds a classic Italian herb flavor.
**For the Pizza Topping:**
* **1 cup Pizza Sauce:** Use your favorite store-bought or homemade pizza sauce.
* **1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese:** For the pizza topping itself.
* **1/2 cup Shredded Provolone Cheese (optional):** Adds a nice creamy texture and slightly tangy flavor.
* **Your Favorite Toppings:** Pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, olives, spinach, pineapple – the sky’s the limit! Make sure any raw meats are cooked before adding them to the pizza.
Equipment You’ll Need
* **12-inch Cast Iron Skillet:** A cast-iron skillet is essential for creating the crispy, cheesy crust. If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, you can use an oven-safe skillet or cake pan, but the crust won’t be quite as crispy.
* **Mixing Bowl:** For combining the cheeses and seasonings for the crust.
* **Rolling Pin (optional):** For rolling out the pizza dough.
* **Pizza Cutter or Large Knife:** For slicing the pizza.
Step-by-Step Instructions
**1. Prepare the Cheesy Crust Mixture:**
* In a large mixing bowl, combine the 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic powder, and dried oregano. Mix well until everything is evenly coated.
**2. Prepare the Pizza Dough:**
* If using store-bought pizza dough, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to make it easier to work with.
* Lightly flour a clean surface.
* Roll out the pizza dough into a circle that’s slightly larger than your skillet (about 14 inches). Don’t worry about it being perfectly round.
**3. Assemble the Cheesy Crust:**
* Lightly grease your cast-iron skillet with olive oil or cooking spray.
* Carefully transfer the rolled-out pizza dough to the skillet. Press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of the skillet, creating a lip that extends slightly over the edge.
* Evenly distribute the cheesy crust mixture around the inside of the skillet, pressing it into the dough. Make sure to cover the bottom and the sides of the dough completely. This is key to getting that amazing cheesy crust!
**4. Add the Pizza Toppings:**
* Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the cheesy crust.
* Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and provolone cheese (if using) over the sauce.
* Arrange your favorite toppings over the cheese.
**5. Bake the Pizza:**
* Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
* Bake the pizza for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. The exact baking time will depend on your oven, so keep a close eye on it.
* If the crust is browning too quickly, you can loosely tent the pizza with foil during the last few minutes of baking.
**6. Let Cool and Serve:**
* Remove the skillet from the oven and let the pizza cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This will help the cheese to set and prevent it from sliding off.
* Use a pizza cutter or large knife to slice the pizza into wedges.
* Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips and Variations
* **Make Your Own Pizza Dough:** If you’re feeling ambitious, try making your own pizza dough! There are tons of great recipes online. Homemade dough adds a special touch to this pizza.
* **Experiment with Different Cheeses:** Don’t be afraid to try different cheeses in the crust or on top of the pizza. Asiago, fontina, or even a little bit of blue cheese can add a unique flavor.
* **Add Some Heat:** Sprinkle some red pepper flakes over the pizza for a little bit of spice.
* **Use Fresh Herbs:** Fresh basil or oregano sprinkled over the finished pizza adds a burst of flavor and freshness.
* **Make it Vegetarian:** Load up the pizza with your favorite vegetables, like mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, spinach, and olives.
* **Add a Garlic Butter Crust:** Brush the edges of the crust with garlic butter after baking for extra flavor and richness. Simply melt butter with minced garlic and brush it on.
* **Use Different Sauces:** While traditional pizza sauce is delicious, try pesto, Alfredo sauce, or even a spicy marinara for a different flavor profile.
* **Pre-Cook Toppings:** Some toppings, like sausage or mushrooms, release a lot of moisture while baking. Pre-cooking them before adding them to the pizza helps to prevent a soggy crust. Simply sauté them in a pan until they’re cooked through and slightly browned.
* **Adjust Baking Time:** Ovens vary, so keep a close eye on your pizza while it’s baking. The crust should be golden brown and the cheese melted and bubbly. If the crust is browning too quickly, you can loosely tent the pizza with foil.
* **Add a drizzle of Olive Oil or Balsamic Glaze:** A drizzle of good quality olive oil or balsamic glaze after baking adds a touch of sophistication and flavor.
* **Different Cheese combinations** You can try using different cheeses, like a mix of mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan, or even add some cheddar or Monterey Jack for a different flavor.
* **Different doughs** If you don’t have pizza dough, you can use other types of dough for the crust, such as puff pastry or even crescent roll dough. Keep in mind that these will have a different texture than traditional pizza dough.
* **Add some spice** Adding some chili flakes, a sprinkle of cayenne pepper, or a drizzle of hot sauce can add a nice kick to your pizza.
* **Make a dessert pizza** Instead of savory toppings, try using sweet toppings like Nutella, marshmallows, and fruit for a delicious dessert pizza.
* **Use different toppings** You can customize your pizza with any toppings you like, such as pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, olives, spinach, pineapple, and more.
* **Add some protein** Adding some protein to your pizza, such as grilled chicken, steak, or shrimp, can make it a more substantial meal.
* **Make it a themed pizza** You can create a themed pizza based on your favorite cuisines, such as a Mexican pizza with salsa, chorizo, and jalapenos, or a Greek pizza with feta cheese, olives, and tomatoes.
* **Try different cheeses in the crust** You can also experiment with different cheeses in the crust, such as provolone, cheddar, or even a sprinkle of parmesan.
* **Brush the crust with garlic butter before baking** This adds extra flavor and helps the crust to brown nicely.
* **Sprinkle some herbs on top after baking** Fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or parsley can add a burst of flavor and freshness to your pizza.
Serving Suggestions
This Cheesy Crust Skillet Pizza is delicious on its own, but here are a few serving suggestions to make it a complete meal:
* **Side Salad:** A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is a great way to balance out the richness of the pizza.
* **Garlic Bread:** Because you can never have too much garlic!
* **Vegetable Sticks with Dip:** Offer a healthy and refreshing option with carrot sticks, celery sticks, and your favorite dip.
* **Wine or Beer:** Pair your pizza with a crisp white wine or a cold beer.
Storage Instructions
* **Leftovers:** Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
* **Reheating:** Reheat pizza in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat it in a skillet on the stovetop for a crispier crust, or in the microwave for a quick and easy option.
Enjoy!
This Cheesy Crust Skillet Pizza is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a delicious and satisfying homemade pizza experience!