Description
This Crispy Tomato Herb Cheese Pan Pizza features a golden, crispy crust baked in a cast iron skillet, topped with a flavorful blend of dried herbs, melted provolone and mozzarella cheeses, zesty marinara sauce, and optional pepperoni. Perfect for a homemade pizza night, it combines simple ingredients to create a delicious and satisfying meal with a crispy edge and rich, aromatic flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pizza Dough
- 1 pound pizza dough, homemade or store-bought
Herb Blend
- 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
Toppings
- Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- 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 the Oven: Position the oven rack in the upper third of your oven and preheat to 450° F. Allow the oven to fully heat for at least 30 minutes before baking for an ideal crust.
- Prepare the Dough: Lightly grease a 10 to 11-inch cast iron or oven-safe skillet. Place the ball of pizza dough inside and drizzle olive oil on top. Use your fingertips to gently push the dough out towards the edges of the skillet. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours if time allows, to allow the dough to rise slightly.
- Mix the Herb Blend: In a small bowl, combine dried basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, crushed fennel seed, red pepper flakes, and chopped garlic. Mix well to create a fragrant herb blend.
- Assemble the Pizza: Drizzle the rested dough lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle a spoonful of the herb blend evenly over the dough. Add a handful of shredded provolone cheese, then drizzle 1/2 cup of marinara sauce on top without spreading it. Layer the remaining mozzarella and provolone cheese over the sauce. Place pepperoni slices evenly over the cheese if using, then sprinkle more of the herb blend on top according to taste.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the skillet on the upper oven rack and bake for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, rotate the skillet for even baking and continue to bake for another 10 minutes, or until the crust is crispy and golden brown along the edges.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and immediately sprinkle grated parmesan or asiago cheese over the top. Slice and serve hot to enjoy the crispy pan pizza at its best.
Notes
- If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, use any oven-safe skillet approximately 10-11 inches in diameter.
- Allowing the dough to rest and slightly rise in the skillet helps achieve a light, crispy crust.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the spice level according to your preference.
- For a vegetarian version, simply omit the pepperoni; the combination of herb and cheese provides plenty of flavor.
- Use full-fat cheeses for the best melting quality and flavor balance.
- Make sure the oven is fully preheated and the temperature is consistent to get the crispiest crust possible.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 498 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
