Cheesy Pan Pizza Recipes

UPSIDE-DOWN RED CHEESY PIZZA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Heat a 12-inch, well-seasoned cast-iron skillet over a low heat. Lay the pepperoni slices on the bottom of the skillet. Top with the roasted peppers and tomato slices. Arrange the mozzarella over the veggies and pepperoni, then sprinkle with the Cheddar and lay on the provolone. Spoon the marinara sauce over the cheese and spread it around.
• Press the dough out into a circle slightly larger than the skillet. Lay the dough on top of the sauce and carefully tuck the edges down the sides of the skillet. Place in the oven and cook until the crust is golden brown, about 25 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let sit for a few minutes. Very carefully, place a large plate or platter over the top of the skillet and invert the pizza onto the plate. Garnish with the red and yellow pepper rings and tear the basil leaves over the top.

SHEET-PAN PIZZA DOUGH

Steps:

• Combine the flour, sugar, salt and yeast in a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook. Combine the hot water and 2 tablespoons olive oil, then add to the mixer on low speed and mix until a loose ball forms. (You can also do this by hand: Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Make a well in the center, then add the water and oil and stir with a wooden spoon.)
• Knead the dough with the mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and slightly tacky, about 7 minutes. (If using your hands, bring the dough together into a ball, then turn out onto a smooth surface and knead, dusting your hands and the surface as needed with flour, until the dough is smooth and slightly tacky, about 5 minutes.)
• Pour the remaining 1/3 cup olive oil into an 11-by-17-inch rimmed baking sheet or black steel pan. Transfer the ball of dough to the pan, turning to coat with the oil. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until the dough fills about two-thirds of the pan, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Slide your hands under the dough and lift, gently stretching the dough to fit the pan. (It's OK if it doesn't stretch to the corners.) For the final rise, cover the dough with plastic wrap and set aside until slightly puffy, 30 to 45 minutes. Top and bake as directed.

DEEP DISH CHEESE PIZZA

Steps:

• Combine the yeast, water and honey in a small bowl. Set aside until foamy, about 5 minutes.
• Combine the cornmeal, salt and 2 cups flour in a bowl. Add the water mixture and 1/4 cup olive oil. Using your hands, stir together to form a rough dough. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead the dough, adding more flour as needed, until it forms a slightly tacky but smooth dough that doesn't stick to your hands or the counter, 5 to 10 minutes. Place the dough in an olive oil-coated bowl, turning to coat the dough in the oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
• Position an oven rack in the top third of the oven and another in the bottom third. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Grease a 9-inch springform pan with the remaining tablespoon olive oil. Wrap the bottom of the pan in aluminum foil and set aside.
• Gently place the dough in the pan and spread it out to the edges using your fingers. Work the dough about 2 inches up the side of the pan. Shingle the provolone on the bottom of the crust and part of the way up the sides. Spoon the marinara over the cheese and smooth with the back of a spoon. Bake for 30 minutes on the lower rack. Rotate the pizza and move it to the top rack and continue to bake until the crust is deep golden brown and the sauce is slightly darker, another 10 to 15 minutes. Sprinkle with the Parmesan and seasonings, if using, and allow the pizza to rest for 10 minutes before unmolding, slicing and serving.

CHEESY PAN PIZZA

Steps:

• Prepare the dough: Measure the flour, water, olive oil, salt and yeast into a large mixing bowl. Mix together with your hand or a dough scraper until it forms a shaggy, sticky ball with no dry patches. Cover the bowl using a damp towel or plastic wrap, and let the dough rest for 5 minutes.
• Wet your hand, and reach down between the side of the bowl and the dough, as though you were going to lift the dough out, but instead of lifting, stretch the bottom of the dough up, and fold it over the top. Repeat three more times, turning the bowl 90 degrees each time. Cover the bowl again for 5 minutes, then repeat the folding-and-resting process three more times. After the fourth time, cover the bowl, and let the dough rest, undisturbed, for 40 minutes, then transfer the bowl to the fridge for at least 12 hours or up to 72 hours.
• About 3 hours before you want to eat the pizza, get ready for assembly: Pour the olive oil into a well-seasoned 9- or 10-inch cast-iron skillet, and use your fingers to coat the inside of the pan, including the sides. Transfer the dough to the pan, and turn it once to coat both sides with the oil. After coating the dough in oil, press the dough to the edges of the pan, dimpling it with your fingertips. If the dough shrinks back, cover it and let it rest for about 15 minutes, then repeat the pressing and dimpling. At this point, you should be able to smush the dough out and into the edges of the pan, but if not, give it one more 15-minute rest before trying again. Cover the dough, and let it rise for 2 hours at room temperature. It will look soft and jiggle when you gently shake the pan.
• Place one rack at the bottom of the oven and one toward the top (about 4 to 5 inches from the top heating element), then heat the oven to 450 degrees. When you're ready to bake the pizza, sprinkle a scant 1 cup mozzarella evenly over the crust. Cover the entire dough so none is showing, then dollop small spoonfuls of the sauce over the cheese. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella on top, and bake on the bottom rack of the oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling and the bottom and edges of the crust are a rich golden brown. (Use a spatula to check the bottom.) If the bottom is brown but the top still seems pale, transfer the pizza to the top rack, and bake for 2 to 4 minutes longer. On the other hand, if the top seems fine but the bottom's not browned to your liking, leave the pizza on the bottom rack for another 2 to 4 minutes.
• Remove the pizza from the oven, and place the pan on a heatproof surface. Carefully run a table knife or spatula between the edge of the pizza and side of the pan to prevent the cheese from sticking as it cools. Let the pizza cool very briefly; as soon as you feel comfortable doing so, carefully transfer it from the pan to a cooling rack or cutting surface. If garnishing with hard cheese and herbs, add those now. Serve the pizza anywhere from medium-hot to warm, and use kitchen shears or a large pair of scissors to cut it into wedges.

CHEESY-CRUST SKILLET PIZZA

Steps:

• Heat a 10-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly into hot skillet; cook until cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Arrange tomato slices, basil leaves, and fresh mozzarella slices on the melted cheese, leaving space for a "crust" to form; cook until top is bubbling and edges are browned, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove skillet from heat and loosen pizza with a spatula. Gently slice pizza onto a cutting board; cool for 1 minute before slicing.