Cheesy Pan Pizza Recipes

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.

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.

Steps:

• Make the dough a day or two before you want to bake; the recipe makes enough for three pies. Combine the flour and salt in your largest mixing bowl. In another mixing bowl, combine the water, butter, olive oil and yeast. Mix well.
• Use a rubber spatula to create a well in the center on the flour mixture, and add to it the liquid from the other bowl, stirring with the spatula and scraping down the sides of the bowl to bring everything together. Mix it all together until it is a large, shaggy ball of wet dough, cover with plastic wrap and allow to sit for 30 minutes.
• Uncover the dough and, with floured hands, knead it until it is uniformly smooth and sticky, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. Move the dough ball into a clean mixing bowl, cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise for 3 to 5 hours at room temperature, then refrigerate, at least 6 hours and up to 24.
• The morning you want to make the pizzas, remove the dough from the refrigerator, divide into 3 chunks of equal size (about 600 grams each) and shape them into oblong balls. Use olive oil to grease three 10-inch cast-iron skillets, 8-inch-by-10-inch baking pans with high sides, 7-inch-by-11-inch glass baking dishes or some combination thereof, and place the balls into them. Cover with plastic wrap, and let rise at room temperature, 3 to 5 hours.
• Make the sauce. Place a saucepan over medium-low heat, and add to it 2 tablespoons olive oil. When the oil is shimmering, add the minced garlic and cook, stirring, until it is golden and aromatic, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the tomato paste and a pinch of chile flakes, and raise the heat to medium. Cook, stirring often, until the mixture is glossy and just beginning to caramelize.
• Add the tomatoes, bring to a boil, then lower heat and allow to simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Take sauce off the heat, and stir in the honey and salt, to taste, then blend in an immersion blender or allow to cool and use a regular blender. (The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or freezer. It makes enough for 6 or so pies.)
• After 3 hours or so the dough will have almost doubled in size. Stretch the dough very gently to the sides of the pans, dimpling it softly with your fingers. The dough can then be left to rest for another 2 to 8 hours, covered with wrap.
• Make the pizzas. Heat oven to 450. Gently pull the dough to the edges of the pans if it hasn't risen to the edges already. Use a spoon or ladle to put 4 to 5 tablespoons of sauce onto the dough, gently covering it entirely. Sprinkle the low-moisture mozzarella onto the pies, then dot them with the fresh mozzarella and the pepperoni to taste. Sprinkle with the oregano and lash with a little olive oil.
• Place the pizzas onto the middle rack of the oven on a large baking sheet or sheets to capture spills, then cook for 15 minutes or so. Use an offset spatula to lift the pizza and check the bottoms. The pizza is done when the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and starting to brown on top, approximately 20 to 25 minutes.