Food and Recipes Recipes Classic Cast Iron Pizza 3.0 (1) 1 Review Nostalgic cast iron pies are back in style, like this cheesy, chewy example piled high with pepperoni, spicy Italian sausage, and extra mozz. The only thing missing from this throwback from the '80s pizza taverns of yore: some faux wood paneling, a red-checkered tablecloth, and maybe a stand-up arcade game in the corner. By Paige Grandjean Paige Grandjean Instagram Website Paige Grandjean is a food editor and recipe developer with over seven years of experience in food media. Her recipes and writing have appeared in over 15 nationally distributed print publications, as well as on various digital platforms. Paige's recipes have been showcased on the covers of magazines such as Food & Wine, Southern Living, and Cooking Light, with her 2020 Food & Wine Lamination cover story earning a spot as a Folio: Eddie and Ozzie Award Finalist. She is a member of IACP and has a WSET Level 2 Award in Spirits. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on June 17, 2020 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Mary Claire Britton Active Time: 30 mins Total Time: 2 hrs 30 mins Yield: 12 serves Ingredients 1 1/2 pounds pounds tomatoes (about 3 medium), cored 2 garlic cloves, chopped 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano 12 ounces hot Italian sausage, casings removed (about 3 links) Coarse cornmeal 2 (12-oz.) Sourdough Pizza Dough portions, stretched into 11-in. circles 16 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded (about 4 cups), divided 2 ounces thinly sliced pepperoni, divided 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion (from 1 small onion), divided Torn basil leaves Directions Preheat oven to 450°F. Score bottom of tomatoes with a small 1/4-inch-deep "x"; cut tomatoes in half. Toss together tomatoes garlic, red pepper, 2 tablespoons of the oil, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of the black pepper in a medium bowl. Place tomatoes, cut side down, on a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven until skins loosen, about 12 minutes. Cool 10 minutes. Gently peel tomatoes; discard skins. Decrease oven temperature to 325°F, and return tomatoes to oven. Bake at 325°F until slightly dehydrated and just beginning to brown, about 1 1/2 hours. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Process tomatoes, vinegar, oregano,1 teaspoon of the salt, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a food processor until smooth, about 15 seconds. Set aside. Preheat oven to 550°F. Heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet on stovetop over medium- high. Add sausage; cook, stirring occasion- ally to break into large pieces, until browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Wipe skillet clean, and return to medium-high. Sprinkle skillet lightly with cornmeal, and carefully place 1 dough round in skillet, pressing 1/2-inch up sides. Brush with 1 tablespoon of the oil; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook dough over medium-high until it just begins to bubble, about 1 to 2 minutes. Spread 1/4 cup tomato sauce over crust. Top with half each of mozzarella, sausage, pepperoni, and onion. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown and starting to char, 10 to 12 minutes. Let pizza stand 5 minutes; transfer to a cutting board. Repeat with cornmeal and remaining dough round, oil, and salt; spread with 1/4 cup tomato sauce. Top with remaining mozzarella, sausage, pepperoni, and onion. Garnish with basil, if desired; serve with remaining tomato sauce for dipping. Rate it Print