Skillet Pizza

HARK THE HEEERALD ANGELS SIIIIIING.

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I seriously just typed Harold. Hark the Harold angels sing. Hey, Harold, don’t you have some angel harking to tend to? How are those angels, Harold? Exhausted from all that harking? Hi, my name is Harold. This is my brother Angel, and this is my other brother Angel. (name that ’80s sitcom)

I can’t believe I’m still talking about Harold and his angel harking habits when I have the world’s most insane piece of news for you. Well, besides the fact that Crosby and GABY just hooked up on Parenthood. WHAT. I might not make it through this morning if I don’t immediately watch the next episode. I truthfully.may.not.make.it.

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Anywayanywayanyway, the news. I’ll give you a hint. It rhymes with – fe splastest may smehzer behzer do mook ta reetsa biz due muse la smeakring nrast liron lillet, scrascreave eet lor dot.

You know what, I’m so sorry. That was way too obvious.

But the truth remains . . .

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The fastest way ever ever to cook a pizza is to use a freaking cast iron skillet, believe it or not!

Cast iron skillet, muthaz!

Would you lose your entire face if I told you this cooked in under 3 minutes? 3 minutes. Under it. Three. Uno, dos, tres.

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Because it did. And I lost my entire face. Matter of fact it’s still lost. I’m like Hollow Face or whatever. Ew. At least I’m not trying to hark all of Harold’s angels though with no face I mean YOU KNOW HOW FRIGHTENED THEY WOULD BE?

The above picture is my pizza, with a lot of cheese on it. And the crazy weird shape because we were just going straight up willy nilly town on it.

And the below is Aaron’s pizza. With no cheese, crispy prosciutto and a slightly more appealing shape.

I SAID SLIGHTLY, AARON.

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This post is less about the actual RECIPE, and more about technique. You can absolutely pick up a ball of dough at the store, or use your fave homemade recipe. The pizza is going to be mighty billowy and fluffy, since you’re using more dough and fitting it into a cast iron skillet. What I’d LIKE to try is using a bigger cast iron and spreading the dough out a little thinner, but I’m skeered because it all happens so fast you don’t even have time to say, “hey, babe, will you refill my wine? no, not in that glass. the glass I was using. why would I dirty up another glass? you know what, never mind.”

So basically, what we know of life now is forever altered. And there’s nothing anyone can do, even Harold and his angels, to stop it.

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I’ve never been so happy.

Skillet Pizza:

(method adapted by Kitchen Konfidence):

What it took for two 8-inch pizzas:

for the dough:

(adapted from Baking Bites)

* 1 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
* 1 cup water, on the warm side
* 2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for your work surface
* 1 1/2 tsp salt
* 2 tsp sugar

for the toppings:

* 3/4 cup pizza sauce
* 1 cup caramelized onions (thinly slice and sauté 2 whole onions on low in a Tbs. of oil for an hour)
* 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
* 2 cups shredded mozzarella
* 3 oz thinly sliced prosciutto
* 2 cups arugula

In a small bowl, combine the yeast and warm water; stir to dissolve.

In a food processor, combine the flour, salt and sugar. Give her a good pulse to blend it all up. With the motor running, pour in the water/yeast mixture. Keep it going until a ball of dough has formed and is smooth, satiny and kind of sexy, actually.

Divide the dough into two balls and transfer to two lightly greased bowls; cover with plastic wrap and let rise about an hour. They should seriously double in size. Once they’ve risen, you’re ready. Grasshopper? No. Sorry.

Okay, turn your oven broiler on. And then take that cast iron and place it on a stove top burner, on high, for like 10 minutes. If it starts to smoke, turn down the heat a little.

Lightly flour a work surface and roll each dough ball out until roughly the size of the cast iron. Mine was a 10-inch skillet.

Spoon the pizza sauce over the dough. Give a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes. Now drizzle some caramelized onions on top. Okay now the cheese. Now, using a floured pizza peel, transfer the pizza and carefully plop it right down in the hot cast iron skillet. It might not be perfect, but just go with it. It’s already cooking at this point so you have to move fast.

Now immediately transfer the skillet to the oven. Broil for 45 seconds. Then rotate it 180 degrees and broil another minute to a minute and a half, until that cheese is bubbly and the crust starts to char slightly. Watch it! It’s fast, baby.

Take it out of the oven and marvel at this seriousness.

Now you can just top it with the fresh ingredients like torn prosciutto, arugula and parmesan shavings. That was it.

I still can’t believe it.

*other options – Aaron chose to put his prosciutto on the pizza before cooking it. It’s all up tew yew.

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Imma ’bout ta hark the boo-honky out of this pizza, HAROLD.

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79 Responses to Skillet Pizza

  1. Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar December 19, 2012 at 8:28 am #
    My, my, what a fabulous idea!
  2. Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough December 19, 2012 at 8:34 am #
    I am DYING right now. You, my dear, are hilarious. And I need this pizza in my life, stat!
  3. Kristi Rimkus December 19, 2012 at 8:42 am #
    Funny post. You have a terrific sense of humor. This is a terrific idea. I love my cast iron skillet, so now I'm really happy for a new way to use it!
  4. Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings December 19, 2012 at 8:46 am #
    yum! your posts always crack me up!!!
  5. Kylee December 19, 2012 at 8:47 am #
    I LOVE arugula on pizza. It pairs super well with salty meats, and sharp cheese. Looks delicious!
  6. Heather (Heather's Dish) December 19, 2012 at 9:20 am #
    Gimme gimme gimme!
  7. Lauren December 19, 2012 at 9:26 am #
    you are hilarious, I love it.
  8. claire @ the realistic nutritionist December 19, 2012 at 9:30 am #
    OMG IT'S SO FLUFFY AND PUFFY!!! I want to cuddle it. That's not weird right?
  9. Iris December 19, 2012 at 9:36 am #
    You know, I still haven't mustered up the motivation to make pizza. But I think it's time. Looks awesome!
  10. kate December 19, 2012 at 9:54 am #
    Newhart!
    • Bev Weidner December 19, 2012 at 9:56 am #
      Awwwwwwwwesome. You just made my day.
  11. Averie @ Averie Cooks December 19, 2012 at 10:02 am #
    I love that the pizza dough is just PUFFING up like CRAZY! Gotta love it when yeast works it's magic!
  12. Meagan Wied December 19, 2012 at 10:29 am #
    Umm Yes Please!
  13. Michelle December 19, 2012 at 11:54 am #
    Amazing idea! love it. trying it.
  14. Jeanine December 19, 2012 at 11:57 am #
    I'm dying over here, you crack me up :). Can't wait to try this, that puffy crust looks amazing!
  15. Carrie December 19, 2012 at 12:35 pm #
    Really, is Max asking too much to have an Asperger's tutor that his uncle doesn't sleep with? I thought not, but Crosby thought yes.
  16. Bernadette @ Now Stir It Ip December 19, 2012 at 1:08 pm #
    I need to make this NOOOOW. I have never wanted pizza so bad. :-) You know how to make someone hungry!
  17. a farmer in the dell December 19, 2012 at 2:11 pm #
    You are hilarious! I love arugula on pizza. These look awesome!
  18. dhyana December 19, 2012 at 2:49 pm #
    i am seriously going to make this -- might even try warming the cast iron on the top of the wood stove and finishing it off on the inside -- might be a little tricky but then i can call say its cast iron, wood fired, homemade apizza!
  19. Liz @ The Lemon Bowl December 19, 2012 at 3:38 pm #
    My husband would go nuts if I made this for him!!
  20. Rachel @ Baked by Rachel December 19, 2012 at 3:43 pm #
    Dammit... I've been trying to avoid thinking about pizza and here you go and torture me right before dinner time. Ugh. I need this soon.
  21. Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe December 19, 2012 at 3:57 pm #
    Oh yes yes YES! That is a beautiful pizza right thur.
  22. Cookie and Kate December 19, 2012 at 5:05 pm #
    Um, this is BRILLIANT, Deb. I've made pizza in a cast iron skillet before, but never so fast! Trying this asap.
    • Bev Weidner December 19, 2012 at 5:44 pm #
      Deb? Who's Deb? Wait where's the camera?
      • Omo September 2, 2014 at 1:51 pm #
        Hahahaha...youre so hilarious!
  23. Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts December 19, 2012 at 8:42 pm #
    I am all over that puffy dough!
  24. Jayne December 19, 2012 at 8:48 pm #
    o.O Is this real? Skillet pizza? I so need a skillet right now.
  25. carrian December 19, 2012 at 11:09 pm #
    Oh heavens, why do I get on your site at night? Now I need something to eat again.
  26. Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie December 20, 2012 at 6:59 am #
    I've tried bubble pizza but never skillet pizza, yum!
  27. Tina | My Life as a Mrs December 20, 2012 at 8:37 am #
    this makes me SO excited. :)
  28. Nicole B/Noshings December 20, 2012 at 3:03 pm #
    uh....NOM! sounds like a quick and dirty way to achieve some great authentic pizza crust charrings. thanks for the tip, great blog, I need to stop by more often! hey....did you send that harking my way? I definitely hear harking.
  29. Kelly Senyei (Just a Taste) December 21, 2012 at 9:45 am #
    Holy cannoli! This is stunning! I can only imagine how crispy, crunchy that gorgeous crust is. Love!
  30. Melanie @ Just Some Salt and Pepper December 21, 2012 at 6:15 pm #
    I asked for a cast iron skillet for Christmas (and people thought I was crazy) so if I get it this is definitely on the list of things to make with it!
  31. Katie @ Blonde Ambition December 21, 2012 at 7:33 pm #
    I am soo all about the char on this crust!!
  32. Jaime December 24, 2012 at 8:14 pm #
    Made this tonight for 'make your own pizza night' with my 5 kiddos. It was amazing!! The crust was fabulous, great flavor, with a bite, yet still soft and fluffy! We let the kids put on they own toppings and it was quick! I will be getting a 2nd skillet just for pizza night! Thank you!
  33. Courtney @ Neighborfood December 31, 2012 at 9:34 am #
    Mind blown. For reals pizza in a skillet? You rock my world.
  34. Amber @ Slim Pickin's Kitchen January 4, 2013 at 1:57 pm #
    Holy crap I am absolutely STUNNED...by Harold and his angels singing. Clearly. Oh, the pizza is pretty spectacularly amazeballs too.
  35. Michelle January 31, 2013 at 6:31 pm #
    Just made this. Unfortunately mine took much much much longer than 3 minutes to cook. I think I can chalk it up to a really crappy oven. Tasted good in the end, thats what matters right?
  36. Hallie February 8, 2013 at 8:33 pm #
    I made this for dinner tonight and it was mostly successful. My cheese browned really fast, before the top crust had a chance to brown. But it was still good! I will be attempting this again! Thanks for the recipe.
  37. Katie February 9, 2013 at 6:27 pm #
    this is the new pizza at our house. we dont even bother making it any other way, cuz this is so easy, quick, and delicious. love your humor, and pictures, and easy instructions!
  38. Annie March 3, 2013 at 8:04 pm #
    It is perfect when your bottom element goes out when your are making pizza for guests!
  39. Summer @ Mallow and Co March 24, 2013 at 12:05 am #
    Tried this tonight - it was delicious! Mine didn't puff up quite as nicely as yours but I loved the crunch the crust got! Thanks for the recipe :)
  40. Lindsay March 2, 2014 at 6:39 pm #
    Made this tonight and it was good, but the crust didn't brown at all. Do you think the skillet wasn't hot enough?
  41. Fashion Clothes Store August 9, 2014 at 2:09 am #
    I do believe all the ideas you've presented in your post. They're really convincing and will certainly work. Nonetheless, the posts are too short for beginners. May just you please lengthen them a little from next time? Thanks for the post.
  42. jana October 15, 2014 at 3:16 am #
    Do you oil the iron skillet???
  43. Womens Cowboy Boots November 22, 2014 at 11:31 am #
    I purchased a pair of grey (YUCK) boots at a thrift retailer, and gave them a brown mottled wash, but have been on the lookout for a second pair to paint additionally!
  44. Katie W December 18, 2014 at 7:14 pm #
    Made this tonight. I was so excited. Didn't quite make it into the pan as planned. Broiled it took it out and the whole bottom was burnt! What did I do wrong? Too hot on the stove? Too much flour on the bottom? Half of it was edible, but the rest was just so burnt we could hardly eat it.
    • Bev Weidner December 22, 2014 at 6:42 am #
      Oh nooooo! I am SO devastated to hear this. I'm rereading the instructions, trying to think of what went wrong. You broiled it for the 45 seconds, then rotated, then another minute, and it was still burned? Gosh! I guess different ovens do different things. I am SO sorry. If you try it again, maybe a little less time under the heat. Was your cast iron preheated too long? I think mine was in about 10 minutes. Maybe that was it? I'm bummed!!
  45. Monia February 2, 2016 at 10:15 pm #
    Yami!
  46. Księgowość February 19, 2016 at 1:54 am #
    nice post
  47. ann February 20, 2016 at 8:36 am #
    Lipnica Murowana
  48. Mark February 20, 2016 at 9:53 am #
    Nice Post.
  49. Monica May 18, 2016 at 10:42 am #
    Thanks!
  50. Adam June 2, 2016 at 3:04 am #
    Very tasty pizza.
  51. paket umroh 2017 December 7, 2016 at 3:14 am #
    Actually your creative writing skills has encouraged me to get my own web site now. Actually the blogging is spreading its wings rapidly
  52. biaya umroh 2017 December 7, 2016 at 3:15 am #
    Thank you for this great information. I have found something on this!
  53. Karen January 19, 2017 at 10:32 am #
    This is my favorite go to recipe when we have pizza night in my home! This is delicious and super easy to make! Thank you!
  54. Jen July 30, 2017 at 9:40 pm #
    I know this post is waaay old but I'm laying in bed with a toddler and baby hogging most of it, annoyed and started reading this. I've been LOLing, then remembering to shut up so I don't wake these monsters up. You're hilarioussssss!
  55. Kraków Wydarzenia June 29, 2018 at 5:44 am #
    Super Pizza, polecamy też pizze w Krakowie
  56. Kraków Wydarzenia June 18, 2019 at 3:38 am #
    Pizza to co co uwielbiam :) przy okazji zapraszamy do Krakowa i do nas na pizze https://okrakow.pl Pozdrowienia :)
  57. Susana January 14, 2020 at 2:28 pm #
    How do you double the recipe for the dough? Would I double everything including the yeast? Love this recipe...been using it for years!
    • Bev Weidner January 15, 2020 at 6:43 am #
      Yep yep - just double it all and you should be good!
  58. Karen December 28, 2021 at 11:11 am #
    I can't stop laughing long enough to make it. Time to try out my new food processor. Thanks for the great recipe!

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

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