I’ve been making my own pizzas at home for a couple of years now with very satisfying results. In the issue I was reading, an article titled “Perfecting Pepperoni Pan Pizza” caught my eye. A thin crust baked on a pizza stone is usually my go-to homemade pizza of choice because pan pizzas are usually doughy and too greasy. But according to this article, their version of the recipe solved those problems.

I figured I’d give it the recipe a try – with some modifications. I’m a big fan of Craig Priebe‘s method of grilling pizza. One of my favorite recipes of his is The Margheritan. Rather than go with pepperoni, I decided to top my pan pizza Margheritan-style. Aside from the use of fresh mozzarella and fresh basil, I followed the Cook’s Illustrated recipes for Pepperoni Pan Pizza (minus the pepperoni) and Basic Pizza Sauce.

Shown here are my finished pizzas. They were DELICIOUS.

Pepperoni Pan Pizza

The recipe you choose for making dough is the key to a successfully baked pan pizza (or any pizza for that matter). With the recipe below, the finished pizza is airy, has the right amount of chewiness and great flavor. All without the greasiness you often experience with a pan pizza.

from America’s Test Kitchen, Episode: Pizza Party

Makes two 9-inch pizzas serving 4 to 6

Dough
1/2	cup olive oil
3/4	cup skim milk plus 2 additional tablespoons, warmed to 110 degrees
2	teaspoons sugar
2 1/3	cups all-purpose flour , plus extra for counter
1	package  instant yeast
1/2	teaspoon table salt
Topping
1	(3.5-ounce) package sliced pepperoni
1 1/3	cups tomato sauce (see related recipe, “Basic Pizza Sauce”)
3	cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Step-by-step instructions:

1. To make the dough: Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 200 degrees. When oven reaches 200 degrees, turn it off. Lightly grease large bowl with cooking spray. Coat each of two 9-inch cake pans with 3 tablespoons oil.

2. Mix milk, sugar, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in measuring cup. Mix flour, yeast, and salt in standing mixer fitted with dough hook. Turn machine to low and slowly add milk mixture. After dough comes together, increase speed to medium-low and mix until dough is shiny and smooth, about 5 minutes. Turn dough onto lightly floured counter, gently shape into ball, and place in greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and place in warm oven until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.

3. To shape and top the dough: Transfer dough to lightly floured counter, divide in half, and lightly roll each half into ball. Working with 1 dough ball at a time, roll and shape dough into 9 1/2-inch round and press into oiled pan. (See illustrations below in Step-by-Step: How to Make Pan Pizza) Cover with plastic wrap and set in warm spot (not in oven) until puffy and slightly risen, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oven to 400 degrees.

4. While dough rises, put half of pepperoni in single layer on microwave-safe plate lined with 2 paper towels. Cover with 2 more paper towels and microwave on high for 30 seconds. Discard towels and set pepperoni aside; repeat with new paper towels and remaining pepperoni. (See illustrations below in Step-by-Step: The Amazing Shrinking Pepperoni)

5. Remove plastic wrap from dough. Ladle 2/3 cup sauce on each round, leaving 1/2-inch border around edges. Sprinkle each with 1 1/2 cups cheese and top with pepperoni. Bake until cheese is melted and pepperoni is browning around edges, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven; let pizzas rest in pans for 1 minute. Using spatula, transfer pizzas to cutting board and cut each into 8 wedges. Serve.

Pizza Dough without a Mixer

In step 2, mix the flour, yeast, and salt together in a large bowl. Make a well in the flour, then pour the milk mixture into the well. Using a wooden spoon, stir until the dough becomes shaggy and difficult to stir. Turn out onto a heavily floured work surface and knead, incorporating any shaggy scraps. Knead until the dough is smooth, about 10 minutes. Shape into a ball and proceed as directed.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Pan Pizza

1. Roll the dough outward from the center in all directions to form a 7-inch circle.	2. With the dough draped over your knuckles, gently stretch it, using the weight of the dough to make a 9 1/2-inch circle that is slightly thinner at the center.
3. Place the dough in the oiled cake pan and gently push it to the edge, taking care not to let too much oil spill over the top.

Step-by-Step: The Amazing Shrinking Pepperoni

Pepperoni – Before                    Pepperoni – After

Basic Pizza Sauce

I recommend this recipe for it’s simplicity and great taste.

from America’s Test Kitchen, Episode: Pizza Party

This recipe makes enough for four pan pizzas, so you will need only half when making Pepperoni Pan Pizza (see related recipe). Freeze the remaining sauce for future pizza making.

Makes 2 2/3 cups

1	tablespoon olive oil
2	cloves garlic , minced
	1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes

Cook oil and garlic in medium saucepan over low heat until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, increase heat to medium, and cook until slightly thickened, 10 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Last week I picked up a copy of Mother Earth News (it’s a magazine about sustainable, self-reliant living). In the Country Lore section of the October/November 2008 issue, an article on Crusty Frying-pan Pizza caught my eye. In the article they describe how to make a homemade pizza using a cast-iron pan in the oven.

Well, I have a cast-iron Lodge frying pan. Why not see if the results I get from the frying pan match what I was getting from the grill? I figured I would continue to use Craig Priebe’s dough and sauce recipes instead of the pizza dough recipe in the magazine. I’m hooked on the whole wheat flour/corn meal dough, so why change?

Here’s what I ended up making last night:

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Looks good, huh? The pictures below show how I put it all together:

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