Deep Dish Stuffed Crust Cast Iron Pizza

Have you ever tried making deep dish pizza in a cast iron pan? It’s awesome, and you should try it. This cast iron pan pizza is extra special.

It’s an extra special deep dish cast iron pizza because it’s stuffed crust! I love stuffed crust pizza—it’s got some childhood nostalgia for me. 

I love cooking and baking with a large cast iron skillet. But just in case you are still on the fence, here are a few other recipes you can make in it:

This cast iron skillet pizza dough recipe is super simple (see printable recipe card below as well):

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (one package)
a generous pinch of sugar
1 1/4 cups warm water
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt

In a small bowl, stir together the water, sugar and yeast. Allow this to sit and foam up (AKA activate) for 10 minutes. In a larger bowl, stir together the flour and salt. Now, stir in the yeast, water and oil until a crumbly dough forms.

Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until the dough becomes elastic-like (5-6 minutes by hand, less if you use a mixture). Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover and allow to rise in a warm place for 1 hour.

This will make plenty of dough for a one large stuffed crust pizza. If you choose to use this dough recipe for a regular (meaning not deep dish/stuffed crust) pizza, then it will make enough for two pizzas.

Once your dough is ready, lightly grease the bottom of your cast iron pan. Roll out the dough (or toss it in the air if you’re talented like that) and place in the pan. The edges of the dough should reach up the sides.

Fold cheese sticks into the edge of the crust. 

Now, add the sauce toppings and cheese. I typically use about 1/2 cup sauce and 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, plus whatever toppings I’m using (like mini pepperoni).

Bonus points: Brush the crust with an egg wash and sprinkle on pizza seasoning. I make pizza seasoning by mixing together a little Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. 

Pop the whole pan in the oven at 375°F for 20-22 minutes. Carefully remove from the oven and allow to cool just a little before sliding your pizza onto a cutting board.

Mmmmm. Cheesy crusts. Happy pizza making! xo. Emma

P.S. If you liked this pizza, check out Homemade Pizza (nine ways!) Baked Macaroni (in a cast iron!), Mini Corn Dogs, Grilled Cheese (nine ways!) and for dessert, Fruit Cobbler (in a cast iron!).

Deep Dish Stuffed Crust Cast Iron Pizza

an easy deep dish cast iron pizza dough recipe

Prep Time 1 hour 8 minutes

Cook Time 22 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Servings 4 people

Author Emma Chapman

Ingredients

• 2 ¼ teaspoon active dry yeast
• pinch of granulated white sugar
• 1 ¼ cups water warm
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the pizza

• 6-7 sticks string cheese
• ½ cup pizza sauce
• 1 cup mozzarella shredded

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, stir together the water, sugar and yeast. Allow this to sit and foam up for 10 minutes. 

2. In a larger bowl, stir together the flour and salt. 

3. Now, stir in the yeast, water and oil until a crumbly dough forms. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until the dough becomes elastic-like (5-6 minutes by hand, less if you use a mixture).

4. Place in a lightly greased bowl, cover and allow to rise in a warm place for 1 hour.

5. Once your dough is ready, lightly grease the bottom of your cast iron pan. Roll out the dough (or toss it in the air if you’re talented like that) and place in the pan.

   The edges of the dough should reach up the sides. Fold cheese sticks into the edge of the crust.

6. Now, add the sauce toppings and cheese. I typically use about 1/2 cup sauce and 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese plus whatever toppings I’m using (like mini pepperoni).

7. Pop the whole pan in the oven at 375°F for 20-22 minutes. Carefully remove from the oven and allow to cool just a little before sliding your pizza onto a cutting board.

Recipe Notes

Bonus points: Brush the crust with an egg wash and sprinkle on pizza seasoning. I make pizza seasoning by mixing together a little Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.