If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that pizza night is ALWAYS a good idea. But what if I told you there’s a way to make homemade pizza that’s ridiculously easy, loaded with cheese and pepperoni, and involves flipping an entire cast iron skillet upside down?
Yes, you read that correctly. We’re making upside down pizza!
I came across this recipe from @jeffandlaurenshow and immediately knew I needed to give it a try. Because when you combine pizza, a cast iron skillet, and a recipe that doesn’t require making dough from scratch, you’ve already got my attention.
The best part? Instead of building your pizza the traditional way, you layer everything backward, bake it, and then flip the whole thing over to reveal a cheesy, pepperoni-covered masterpiece.
It’s basically a pizza magic trick. And I’m here for it!
What Is Upside Down Cast Iron Skillet Pizza?
If you’ve never heard of upside down pizza, the concept is pretty simple.
Instead of starting with pizza dough and layering your toppings on top, you build your pizza in reverse inside a cast iron skillet.
You start with pepperoni, add cheese, marinara sauce, more cheese, and finally cover everything with pizza dough.
Once it comes out of the oven, you carefully flip the skillet onto a large plate or cutting board.
And just like that, your pizza is right side up!
The pepperoni that started at the bottom becomes the top of your pizza, with all that melted cheese and sauce underneath.
It’s a fun twist on traditional homemade pizza, and it’s definitely something the kids will get a kick out of watching.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Skillet Pizza Recipe
There are plenty of reasons to add this one to your next family pizza night.
- No homemade dough required. We’re using refrigerated Pillsbury pizza dough, which makes the whole process so much easier.
- Only a handful of ingredients. Most of these are things you might already have in your refrigerator or pantry.
- Lots of cheese! We’re using mozzarella AND Colby Jack, because why settle for one?
- It’s a fun recipe to make with kids. They can help layer the ingredients and watch the big reveal after baking.
- Perfect for game day or family dinner. Whether you’re feeding the family or making something fun for friends, this is a great option.
And can we talk about the fact that you only need one skillet for the actual cooking? Less cleanup is always a win in my book.
Ingredients for Upside Down Cast Iron Skillet Pizza
Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy homemade pizza.
Pizza Ingredients
- 1 can Pillsbury refrigerated pizza dough
- 2 cups pepperoni slices
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 4–6 slices Colby Jack cheese
- Italian seasoning, to taste
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil, for brushing the dough
- Cooking spray or additional olive oil, for greasing the skillet
You’ll also need a 12-inch cast iron skillet and a large heat-safe plate or cutting board for flipping the finished pizza.
How to Make Upside Down Pizza in a Cast Iron Skillet
This is where things get fun!
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Coat a 12-inch cast iron skillet generously with cooking spray or a little olive oil.
You want the skillet well-greased so your pizza releases when it’s time for the big flip.
Step 2: Layer the Pepperoni
Arrange the pepperoni slices across the bottom of the skillet.
Let them overlap slightly so you get a nice layer of pepperoni covering the bottom.
Remember, this is eventually going to be the TOP of your pizza!
Step 3: Add the Cheese and Seasoning
Sprinkle a layer of shredded mozzarella cheese over the pepperoni.
Add Italian seasoning to taste.
I love that this recipe uses plenty of cheese. Because let’s be serious, nobody wants a pizza that’s lacking in the cheese department.
Step 4: Add the Marinara Sauce
Spread the marinara sauce evenly over the cheese.
Try to distribute it across the skillet so you get that classic pizza flavor in every bite.
Step 5: Add Even More Cheese
Layer the Colby Jack cheese slices over the marinara sauce.
Then sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella over the top.
Yes, more cheese. We’re making pizza here!
Step 6: Cover Everything With Pizza Dough
Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough and gently stretch it to fit over the skillet.
Tuck any extra dough down along the inside edges of the pan to create a thicker, raised crust.
Brush the exposed dough with a thin layer of olive oil.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden Brown
Transfer the skillet to your preheated oven.
Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the dough is completely cooked and the crust is golden brown.
Keep an eye on it toward the end of baking because ovens can vary.
Step 8: The Big Flip!
Okay, this is the moment we’ve all been waiting for.
Carefully remove the skillet from the oven and let it rest briefly.
Place a large heat-safe plate or cutting board over the skillet.
Using oven mitts and holding everything securely, carefully flip the skillet and plate together in one steady motion.
Then gently lift the skillet away to reveal your upside down pizza!
Be extremely careful during this step because the cast iron skillet, cheese, and sauce will be very hot. Having another adult help with the flip is a good idea.
Slice it up and enjoy!
Upside Down Cast Iron Skillet Pizza: The Easiest Homemade Pizza You'll Ever Make!
Notes
Make sure your skillet is thoroughly greased to help prevent sticking.
Use a plate or cutting board larger than the skillet for flipping.
Allow the pizza to rest briefly before flipping, but don't let it cool completely in the skillet.
Use caution when flipping, as the pan and contents will be extremely hot.
Cooking times may vary depending on your oven and the thickness of your dough.
Ingredients
- 1 can Pillsbury refrigerated pizza dough
- 2 cups pepperoni slices
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 4–6 slices Colby Jack cheese
- Italian seasoning, to taste
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- Cooking spray or additional olive oil, for greasing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a 12-inch cast iron skillet generously with cooking spray or olive oil.
- Arrange pepperoni slices across the bottom of the skillet, overlapping slightly.
- Sprinkle approximately half the shredded mozzarella over the pepperoni. Season with Italian seasoning.
- Spread marinara sauce evenly over the cheese.
- Layer Colby Jack slices over the sauce, followed by the remaining mozzarella.
- Unroll the pizza dough and gently stretch it over the skillet. Tuck the edges down along the inside of the pan to form a raised crust.
- Brush the dough with 1–2 tablespoons olive oil.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the dough is cooked through and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let rest briefly. Carefully place a large heat-safe plate or cutting board over the skillet.
- Wearing oven mitts, securely hold the skillet and plate together and carefully invert.
- Gently lift away the skillet, slice the pizza, and serve!
Tips for Making the Best Upside Down Skillet Pizza
A few things to keep in mind before you make this recipe:
Grease your skillet really well. You want that pizza to release easily when it’s time to flip.
Use a 12-inch cast iron skillet. This is the size the original recipe calls for, and it gives you enough room for all those delicious layers.
Don’t rush the flip. Give the pizza a few minutes to settle after coming out of the oven, and make sure you have a plate or board that’s larger than your skillet.
Make sure the dough is fully cooked. Since the dough is on top during baking, you should be able to see when it turns a beautiful golden brown.
Let the kids help with the layers. This is such a fun recipe for getting your kids involved in the kitchen. Just leave the hot skillet and flipping to the adults!
Can You Customize Upside Down Pizza?
Absolutely!
One of my favorite things about homemade pizza is that everyone has their own preferences.
While this recipe uses pepperoni, mozzarella, Colby Jack, and marinara, you could experiment with other classic pizza ingredients.
A few ideas include:
- Sausage: Add cooked and crumbled Italian sausage.
- Ham and pineapple: For those of us who appreciate a good Hawaiian pizza!
- Vegetables: Try mushrooms, bell peppers, or onions. Cook off excess moisture first.
- Extra cheese: Experiment with provolone or an Italian cheese blend.
- Spicy pizza: Add some crushed red pepper flakes or sliced jalapeños.
Just remember that adding too many toppings can make your pizza harder to flip and could affect the baking time.
I’d recommend trying the original recipe first and then experimenting with your favorite combinations.
What to Serve With Cast Iron Skillet Pizza
If you’re making this for family dinner, you really don’t need much else.
But if you want to round out the meal, here are a few ideas:
- A big green salad with ranch dressing
- Fresh fruit
- Garlic bread or breadsticks
- Cut-up vegetables with dip
- A simple Caesar salad
And of course, a cold soda with pizza never hurts!
The Bottom Line: Pizza Night Just Got More Fun!
You know I’m always looking for fun recipes to try, especially ones that make family dinner a little more exciting.
And I love the idea of taking something as simple as pizza and turning it into a whole experience.
Because let’s be honest, half the fun of this recipe is going to be watching that skillet flip over and seeing whether your pizza turns out exactly how you hoped.
Will it be perfect every single time? Maybe not.
But that’s part of the fun of cooking!
A huge shoutout to @jeffandlaurenshow for sharing this creative upside down pizza idea.
Now I want to know: Are you team classic pepperoni, ham and pineapple, or do you load your pizza with ALL the toppings?
Let me know in the comments because I might need to try another version of this one!
