• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Marin Mama Cooks

Tasty foods for families

  • home
  • Recipes
    • Recipes Index
    • beverages
    • breakfast
    • lunch
    • after school snacks
    • dinner
      • burgers & patties
      • chicken
      • meats
      • meatless meals
      • Mexican
      • Pastas
      • pizza
      • seafood
    • side dishes
      • breads and grains
      • popovers
      • potatoes
      • salsas
      • sauces
      • veggie burgers and patties
      • Veggies
    • Desserts
      • brownies and bars
      • cakes and cupcakes
      • chocolate
      • Cookies
      • pies and tarts
    • meatless meals
    • salads
    • dressings
    • Soups
    • smoothies & juices
    • family favorites
    • most popular recipes
    • weeknight dinners
    • kale
    • Quinoa
    • weekly dinner menu
  • how to
  • random
  • videos
  • about me
  • work with me

deep-dish pepperoni pizza

October 17, 2012 by Marin Mama 25 Comments

deep-dish pepperoni pizza

Have you purchased a cast iron pan yet?  Yvonne, I’m speaking directly to you!  My friend Yvonne said she would get a cast iron pan once I did a post on how to maintain one.  I still haven’t put a post together hoping that she will just go with it and let me explain it to her over the phone. Is anyone else interested in a post on how to maintain a cast-iron pan?  If so, I will write one. It won’t be the most exciting post, but if you’re all wanting it, I will do it, so let me know. See, I’m nice that way. If you don’t have a cast iron, you have to get one. They are really inexpensive, ($22 for a 10-inch and $28 for a 12-inch) and you can use them for just about anything. I even made a chocolate chip cookie in mine.

We introduced the kids to deep-dish pizza on our trip to Minneapolis this summer, and they loved it.  Pizza in California tends to be thin and crisp and is usually baked in a wood-burning oven.  It’s absolutely delicious, but we also love to change things up a bit and try other variations.

So we were all craving some deep-dish pizza when we got back from vacation, especially one topped with pepperoni.  I found this pizza and let me tell you, I’m so glad I did.  This pizza was rated by John as the BEST PIZZA EVER!  His words I quote, “Honey, you can make this pizza anytime, it’s honestly the best pizza you’ve ever made!” To hear that praise from my hubby, who can be a bit of a foodie at times, was a great compliment. The red onions are a key ingredient to the pizza, so don’t skimp on them. 
Feel free to throw on other ingredients such as kalamata olives, mushrooms or red peppers.  I kept mine simple, as I knew my kids wouldn’t like it with too much going on.

This 10-inch pizza was enough to feed us because it’s a deep dish pizza. If your family likes a lot of pizza then you might want to pair it with a second pizza or a large salad like I did.  BTW, that bunch of arugula below is just a staging prop.  We had a big caesar salad with this pizza.

deep-dish pepperoni pizzadeep-dish pepperoni pizza:

recipe adapted from real simple
serves 4
printer friendly version

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3/4 pound pizza dough, at room temperature
  • 1/2 pound (2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese – you really don’t have to measure your cheese, just use the amount you like.
  • 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried or fresh oregano
  • 1/4 to 1/2 of a small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 4-5 slices of pepperoni
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.  Drain the can of tomatoes and then mix together the oregano with the tomatoes in a small bowl.  In another small bowl toss the onions and pepperoni with 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil.
Make sure your dough is at room temperature.  
I let my dough sit out for a minimum of 20 minutes before I use it.
Coat a 9-inch, 10-inch (that is what I used) oven-proof skillet or cake pan with 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil.  Make sure to rub the oil in with a paper towel.
Press the dough into the pan, covering the bottom and sides.  
I’m warning you that this can take a bit.  Sometimes your dough will be easy to manipulate and other times, most of the time, it will not cooperate.  Just be patient, and know it’s not about how the pizza looks in the end, it’s about how great it tastes. 
Sometimes it helps to roll out your dough before you put it in the pan.
Top the dough with half of the mozzarella, then add the tomatoes and oregano mixture.Then top it with the remaining mozzarella.Scatter the onions and pepperoni over the top of the pizza.

If you’re worried about the onions, don’t.  My kids surprisingly loved the onions, and commented that they made the pizza taste amazing.Bake the pizza for about 30-40 minutes or until the crust is golden brown. It may take a bit longer than 35 minutes, just make sure the crust is brown and crispy and that the cheese is browned as well.

Tip: If you want your cheese to brown up a bit more when it’s finished cooking, you can put it under the broiler for a minute or two.  I sometimes do that with cheesy dishes to give them a browned effect.
You may want to take a paper towel and pat out the grease in the pepperoni, as it can get  a bit greasy.
To get the pizza out of the skillet, take a spatula and insert it between the pizza and the pan to help slide it out onto a cutting board (you my have to jimmy your spatula around the crust a bit, but it should slide out pretty easily). You can cut your pizza in the skillet, but I would recommend cutting it on a cutting board.
See how easily that pizza came out of the skillet.

deep-dish pepperoni pizza

deep-dish pepperoni pizzaLike skillet pizzas?  If so, then you need to try my sausage and arugula skillet pizza.
It uses a 12-inch skillet so it serves a larger crowd, and it’s rated a 10+ in my house.

sausage and arugula skillet pizza

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

if you liked this recipe...

  • asparagus and gruyere cheese pizzaasparagus and gruyere cheese pizza
  • roasted red pepper and arugula whole-wheat pizzaroasted red pepper and arugula whole-wheat pizza
  • sausage and arugula skillet pizzasausage & arugula skillet pizza
  • vegan butternut squash soupvegan butternut squash soup
  • Facebook0
  • Google+0
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest0
  • Email
0

Filed Under: dinner, family favorites, pizza Tagged With: dinner, pizza

Previous Post: « Marin Mama’s weekly dinner menu for October 14th
Next Post: Marin mama’s weekly dinner menu for October 21st »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Fran says

    February 4, 2014 at 6:36 pm

    Hi Jackie! Thanks so much for responding. I’ll try applegate farms – I’ve used their products before and like it. BTW, I just made your quinoa avocado and tahini wrap today for lunch!! YUM! What surprised me the most was how satisfied I was after just 1 wrap. That tahini sure does pack a lot of protein!! Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • jackiegrandy says

      February 5, 2014 at 5:43 pm

      Hi Fran! Yaay! I’m so happy that you made and loved the quinoa wrap. I know, it’s super filling! I usually make a smaller version as I’m SO stuffed after! SO glad you loved it girl 🙂 xoxo, Jackie

      Reply
  2. Fran says

    February 3, 2014 at 2:17 pm

    Hi Jackie: I’ve been using TJ’s pizza dough to make stromboli and this week I am going to try your pizza. Can you recommend the pepperoni you use?? Thanks so much!! Fran

    Reply
    • jackiegrandy says

      February 3, 2014 at 2:50 pm

      Hi Fran! I can’t think of the brand off the top of my head. I will take a look when I’m at work today and see if they have the brand I use. It could be Applegate Farms? I will check and get back to you. 🙂 xoxo, Jackie

      Reply
  3. Alicia says

    November 25, 2012 at 9:37 am

    Would love to know how to care for a cast iron skillet. Please post!

    Reply
    • jackiegrandy says

      January 18, 2013 at 9:36 pm

      Hi Alicia! I don’t know why I never saw this comment sooner. I think it might of came through when I did my move from blogger to WordPress and got lost in the shuffle. I apologize for not responding sooner. Here is a link to my weekly menu post which has 3 links at the bottom taking you to some websites that show you how to care for your cast iron! http://www.marinmamacooks.com/2013/01/marin-mamas-weekly-dinner-menu-16/
      I hope you get this 🙂

      Reply
  4. Cathy Small Tuttle says

    November 4, 2012 at 10:24 pm

    Great recipe! My son, who is 17 months, helped me make this pizza and it was a big hit. We even made his own pizza in our little cast iron pan. Thank you!

    Reply
  5. Em (Wine and Butter) says

    October 21, 2012 at 2:54 pm

    We just bought a cast iron skillet yesterday and I thought of you as I did so!! Yep – we finally got our furniture sorted out and spent all of this weekend either on Amazon or at Ikea.. so exciting I know, but – because it means I can finally cook again – I actually enjoyed it. I also made Louis a (belated) birthday cake… a whiskey one for my whiskey loving boy :). AND Ive also just paid some guy to do a redisgn of my site – which should be finished next week and I’ll be up and running again – then.. yay!!! I cant wait for us to be proper blog friends again, instead of me just writing random epic comments on your posts with mine last updated like 2months ago.. speak soon love.. also PLEASE keep up the ‘menu for the week’ posts. I love them and think I might start doing something similar (if you dont mind the blatant copying..?!?) okay – im going now for real xox

    Reply
    • Jacquelyn Grandy says

      October 22, 2012 at 2:38 pm

      Em, you’re back! Yaay! I have missed you. I’m gad you’re finally getting settled. I’m sure it’s been crazy moving back and then on top of that moving into a new place. Please send me some photos of the new pad.

      I can’t wait to see your updated blog as well and become proper blogging buddies again. I had to laugh at your comment above because it’s hilarious and so you! OMG, you can totally do the weekly menu posts. There is no copying in the blogging world and I bet you will have these totally healthy and exotic weekly menus that I will envy, but I do know that you have Louis to cook for again so he will need his guy fare! I’m glad you like the weekly menu posts. I think they are helpful and they really help organize me. Ok, speak soon and I’m glad you’re back! Miss you!
      xoxo,
      Jackie

      Reply
  6. Jill says

    October 19, 2012 at 5:00 am

    Jacquelyn this pizza looks sooo good! I have this pan on my Christmas wish list now. Tonight I made the Green Bean Shallot Ravioli for dinner. It was delicious! I used Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Ravioli. The colors of this dish were beautiful and so perfect for Autumn. The Ravioli is a deep shade of pumpkin on one side and with the bright green beans it was such a colorful and healthy dish. My kids and husband all loved it. They know your name at the dinner table now. 🙂 Thank you again for these awesome recipes. I think you should publish a cook book. I would buy it it a heartbeat!

    Reply
    • Jacquelyn Grandy says

      October 19, 2012 at 1:14 pm

      Hi Jill. You totally make me smile! Thanks so much for keeping in touch and letting me know what you’re making. I love hearing the results. I am totally going to copy you and try the pumpkin ravioli from Traders Joes, just for the color effect alone and also because I just love anything pumpkin this time of year.

      You will use your cast iron so much. It was my Christmas gift last year and I’m so happy I asked for it because it has made cooking so much more fun. I have only tapped into what you can make in it.

      Cookbook, hmmm. That is an idea. I was just thinking of doing a cookbook for my family next year with some of our family favorites recipes and give it to them for Christmas. I like your idea though. Maybe it would be a cookbook of family favorite tried and tested recipes. You could be one of my recipe testers and would thus get a free copy!

      Actually my dream is to open a cafe one day with a group of moms. I would call it Marin mama’s cafe (I live in Marin, so it would be perfect) and I would hire a “real” chef and have all the favorite recipes from my blog. It would be open for lunch and dinner and would have a lot of “to-go” entrees as well as order at the counter and sit down. It would be a friendly community place to hang out and pick up dinner etc. I have the idea and I’m just going to simmer with it and not worry so much about the how. Anyway, I will do a post about it one day soon!

      Thanks again for keeping in touch Jill. The thing I love most about blogging is the community and I love hearing from readers.

      Happy Friday!

      Reply
  7. ykfisher says

    October 19, 2012 at 4:35 am

    I bought the 12″ skillet last week but havent used it yet. It is my Fridaynight resolution to use it rather than getting take out pizza. Promise to post soon my result! Xo, Y

    Reply
    • Jacquelyn Grandy says

      October 19, 2012 at 1:16 pm

      Yaay! I’m so happy girl! I knew you would get one. Call me before you use it and I will give you some tips. BTW, you need a 10-inch for this pizza. You can use the 12-inch for the sausage skillet pizza.
      xoxo,
      Jackie

      Reply
  8. Kelly from Minneapolis says

    October 18, 2012 at 7:14 pm

    Thank you for this post! We talked before (probably about kale)because I’m from Minneapolis! I was just traveled with a friend down to her parents house in Iowa a week ago and her dad made us deep dish pizza with a deep dish pizza stone. I CANNOT STOP THINKING ABOUT HIS PIZZA!!!! I think this recipe will hit the spot!!! Thank you. 🙂

    Reply
    • Jacquelyn Grandy says

      October 19, 2012 at 1:20 pm

      Hi Kelly! I totally remember you and I think it was Kale that brought us together ☺ I’m actually getting ready to make Zoe a kale salad for lunch. Can you believe my 12 year old requested it? I can’t! That pizza sounds amazing and I hope this pizza lives up to the amazing one you had in Iowa! Let me know how it turns out for you!
      Stay warm girl!

      Reply
  9. Zoe says

    October 17, 2012 at 9:00 pm

    Hi Jacquelyn,

    Totally agree with you that a cast iron pan is a great essential for a busy mum’s kitchen. I use mine for both cooking and baking too.

    All the pizza that I have baked are mostly thin-crust and not as deep as yours. Got your message about the deliciousness of this deep crust kind of pizza and will surely bake one when the tomatoes season arrive our late summer 😀

    Zoe

    Reply
  10. Jacquelyn Grandy says

    October 17, 2012 at 6:33 pm

    Hi Averie. I saw your skillet cookie and it looked decadent. I still have to perfect the 12-inch cookie and post it. My hubby is like obsessed with the pizza. It’s really cute.

    Reply
  11. Averie @ Averie Cooks says

    October 17, 2012 at 5:17 pm

    I love my cast iron and being that I just made that monster cookie in it, I think I need to make something savory in it now. My family would LOVE this pizza, Jackie! Gorgeous photos that just POP!

    Reply
  12. Anonymous says

    October 17, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    I would love to see a post on cast iron skillet care. I have been wanting to purchase one, but really have no clue as how to take care of it.

    Reply
    • jyllzie says

      October 17, 2012 at 4:29 pm

      If I may interject…the best option is to purchase one at a garage sale. They are typically very inexpensive and you can find unusual sizes. If it has lots of baked on crap you can burn it off in the fireplace. Oiling it with vegetable oil is key. We never use soap on ours either. If it’s well seasoned, it doesn’t need it. Dry it on the stove over low flame before storing it to prevent rust. If you google ‘seasoning cast iron pan’ you can find all kinds of info on different processes. Definitely worth it effort!

      Reply
    • Jacquelyn Grandy says

      October 17, 2012 at 6:22 pm

      Great addition Jyllzie! I love the idea of purchasing a used and well seasoned skillet! Thanks for the tips as well.

      Reply
    • jyllzie says

      October 17, 2012 at 6:54 pm

      thanks Jacquelyn…i will be putting that pan to good use trying your recipe with it this week 🙂 do you ever use the trader joes wheat dough for this recipe?

      Reply
    • Jacquelyn Grandy says

      October 17, 2012 at 7:02 pm

      I didn’t use Trader Joe’s whole-wheat dough for this particular recipe because my kids wanted regular pizza dough, so I used their regular pizza dough. I use their whole-wheat dough all the time when I make my roasted red pepper and arugula pizza.
      http://www.marinmamacooks.com/2012/04/roasted-red-pepper-arugula-whole-wheat.html

      I love their whole-wheat dough and plan on using it when I make my fall roasted vegetable pizza next week. If you prefer whole-wheat dough, then go for it. I’m sure it would taste great. You could even add some healthier veggies on top!

      Can’t wait to hear how it turns out for you Jyllzie!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Marin mama’s weekly dinner menu | Marin Mama Cooks says:
    January 8, 2013 at 6:10 pm

    […] night dinner: Deep-dish pepperoni pizza & kid friendly caesar […]

    Reply
  2. sausage & arugula skillet pizza | Marin Mama Cooks says:
    December 29, 2012 at 5:06 pm

    […] the next day for lunch! Needless to say, it was devoured! If you like skillet pizzas then try my deep-dish pepperoni skillet pizza. Print sausage & arugula skillet […]

    Reply

say something to Marin mama... Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Jacquelyn-Grandycircle

Hi! Welcome to Marin mama cooks! I’m a natural chef, as well as a mom who loves to cook up tasty and healthy whole foods for her family.
About Me...

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Don’t miss a new recipe!

Search Marin Mama cooks…

most popular posts

beet, carrot, apple and ginger juice - no juicer required
roasted whole beets without foil
easy overnight steel cut oats
how to roast red peppers
easy oven baked sweet potato fries
Paul McCartney's refried bean tacos

how to make my lacinato kale salad

how to make perfect popovers

Footer

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021 · Foodie Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Built on the Genesis Framework · Powered by WordPress

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.