Perfect Pan Pizza

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, yeast, and salt. (5 minutes)

In a separate bowl or measuring cup, stir together the lukewarm water and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just well combined. (2 minutes)

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it stand at room temperature until the dough has tripled in size, approximately 8 to 12 hours. For a deeper flavor, you can alternatively cover the dough and refrigerate it for at least 12 hours and up to 36 hours, or until it has tripled in size. (8-36 hours)

Uncover the dough and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Gently stretch and fold the dough over a few times until it becomes nearly smooth. Use your hands to lightly shape the dough into a ball; it should remain a little sticky. (5 minutes)

Pour the remaining olive oil into a 12-inch cast iron skillet, ensuring you liberally coat the bottom and sides of the skillet with your fingers. (2 minutes)

Using oiled hands, transfer the dough to the skillet, gently flatten it into a thick disc shape, and lightly coat the top with some of the oil. Lightly cover the skillet with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature for 2 hours to allow the dough to rise. (2 hours)

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). (15 minutes)

Use your fingers to lightly press the dough to create an even layer that reaches the edges of the pan and extends about 1/2 inch up the sides, forming a nice crust. (3 minutes)

Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese around the edges and over the dough. Then, sprinkle 1/3 cup of the shredded mozzarella over the dough. (2 minutes)

Spread the pizza sauce in an even layer over the entire crust, ensuring it reaches all the way to the edges. Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella cheese and top with the sliced pepperoni. (5 minutes)

Bake in the preheated oven until the crust is golden around the edges and the cheese is lightly browned and melted, approximately 20 to 25 minutes. (20-25 minutes)

Remove the skillet from the oven and place it directly on the stove over medium heat. Cook until the bottom of the crust is golden brown and toasted, approximately 3 to 5 minutes. This step will give your pizza a delightful crispy base. (3-5 minutes)

Carefully slide the pizza from the pan onto a wire rack and let it stand for 10 minutes before slicing. (10 minutes)

Transfer the pizza to a cutting board, slice it into your desired portions, and serve immediately. Enjoy the fruits of your labor!