Description
This Crispy Tomato Herb Cheese Pan Pizza features a crunchy crust baked in a cast iron skillet, topped with a blend of herbs, melted provolone and mozzarella, tangy marinara sauce, and optional pepperoni for a perfect homemade pizza experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough and Seasonings
- 1 pound pizza dough, homemade or store-bought
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed fennel seed
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1-2 cloves garlic, chopped
- Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Cheeses and Toppings
- 1 cup shredded provolone cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded whole milk mozzarella
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 3 ounces pepperoni, sliced (optional)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan or asiago cheese
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Position the oven rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 450° F. Allow it to heat for at least 30 minutes to ensure a hot oven for baking the pizza.
- Prepare Dough: Place the ball of pizza dough into a lightly greased 10-11 inch cast iron or oven-safe skillet. Drizzle olive oil over the dough and use your fingertips to gently push and stretch the dough almost to the edges of the skillet. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours if time permits, to allow the dough to relax and rise slightly.
- Mix Herbs: In a small bowl, combine dried basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, crushed fennel seed, red pepper flakes, and chopped garlic. This herb mixture will add a fragrant and flavorful dimension to the pizza.
- Assemble Pizza: Lightly drizzle olive oil over the dough surface. Sprinkle a spoonful of the herb mixture evenly on top. Add a handful of shredded provolone and mozzarella cheeses. Drizzle marinara sauce over the cheese, avoiding spreading the sauce to maintain a light distribution. Add the remaining cheese on top, followed by sliced pepperoni if using, and a final sprinkle of the herb mix to taste.
- Bake Pizza: Bake the pizza on the upper rack of the oven for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, rotate the skillet to ensure even cooking, then bake for another 10 minutes or until the crust edges are golden and crispy. Once baked, top the pizza with additional grated parmesan or asiago cheese before serving. Enjoy your crispy, herb-infused pan pizza!
Notes
- Resting the dough in the skillet allows for easier stretching and a better rise for a crispy crust.
- You can customize the herb blend based on your preference or use fresh herbs if available.
- If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, use any oven-safe skillet or pan roughly 10-11 inches in size.
- Letting the oven fully preheat at a high temperature is important for a crispy crust texture.
- Adjust red pepper flakes based on your desired spice level; omit if you prefer no heat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 498 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
