How to Make a Foolproof Pan Pizza

Step 1

Make the dough. Place 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 1/4 teaspoons of the kosher salt, and 3/4 teaspoon active dry yeast in a large bowl and stir with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to combine. Add 3/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons lukewarm water and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and stir until no dry flour remains and a shaggy dough forms. Knead in the bowl until a rough ball of dough forms, 1 to 2 minutes.

Step 2

Let the dough rise. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil into a 10-inch cast iron skillet and use your hands to spread it around. Transfer the dough into the skillet and turn it to coat in the oil. Press the dough into a rough 8-inch disc. Cover the skillet tightly with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 2 hours. Meanwhile, rinse out the dough bowl and set it aside for the sauce.

Step 3

Stretch and shape the dough. Uncover the dough and use your fingertips to stretch and dimple the dough to the edges of the skillet. Cover again with the plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until puffy, about 1 hour (it's okay if it hasn't completely doubled in size). Meanwhile, make the sauce.

Step 4

Make the sauce. Mince 2 garlic cloves and add to the bowl you made the dough in. Add 3/4 cup tomato sauce, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Stir to combine. Meanwhile, shred 6 ounces mozzarella cheese (about 1 1/2 cups).

Step 5

Heat the oven. Once the dough has risen, arrange a rack in the lower third of the oven and heat the oven to 450°F.

Step 6

Assemble the pizza. Sprinkle 3/4 cup of the mozzarella evenly over the dough. (This layer will prevent the dough from getting soggy.) Dollop the tomato sauce over the cheese (some spots without sauce are okay). Sprinkle with the remaining 3/4 cup mozzarella.

Step 7

Bake the pizza. Bake until the pizza is golden-brown around the edges and the cheese is melted and browned, 28 to 35 minutes. Meanwhile, tear 5 large fresh basil leaves into smaller pieces.

Step 8

Garnish and serve. Remove the pizza from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Carefully remove it from the pan with a thin, flexible spatula and sprinkle with the basil before slicing.