Pizza Hut Pan Pizza - Copycat Recipe

I'm so excited to share this recipe today.  We had this pizza just last night and it was absolutely amazing!!!  Yes, it did taste very similar to Pizza Hut pan pizza, right down to the crunchy, crispy crust. 

I found this recipe by accident actually.  I don't even remember what I was looking for now, but in the midst of googling this past Friday, I came across this recipe and was so intrigued I had to make it the very next day.  I have always loved Pizza Hut's pan pizzas, and I just had to see if this recipe was anything like the real thing.  If you click on the source at the bottom of the recipe, you can see all the rave reviews and yes, it really is that good.

I only made a couple of changes.  The recipe calls for 3 ounces of oil in the bottom of each pan (this recipe makes 3 9-inch pizzas).  I couldn't bring myself to use that much oil, so I just used 2 tablespoons of oil in each pan and for us, it was perfect.  You may want to use more or less.  I had to double the sauce recipe as we can only buy 398 ml/14-ounce cans of tomato sauce here.  I like a little more sauce on my pizza, rather than less, so I ended up using almost all of it anyway.  I used two 9-inch cake pans and my 10-inch cast iron skillet to bake these.  I sprinkled a bit of Parmesan and Italian seasoning over the crusts before adding the sauce and toppings, and for the cheese I used half mozzarella and half Monterey Jack.

The dough was unlike any dough I've ever worked with.  Joe said it was like silly putty and he was right!  That's exactly what it was like.  I didn't even need to use flour to roll the dough out.  It didn't stick to anything, not the rolling pin, my hands or the table.  I couldn't quite roll mine out to fit the pans perfectly, but once the dough rested and rose, it filled the pans perfectly.

I was thrilled with how these pizzas turned out.  We all loved them and the recipe is super easy.  Three pizzas may sound like a lot, but they're really not that big.  They'll get eaten.  Trust me.

If you like Pizza Hut's pan pizza, this recipe is a must!

Enjoy!

Pizza Hut Pan Pizza - Copycat Recipe
Printer-Friendly Version

Dough

1 package dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp.) (I used instant/bread machine yeast)
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup nonfat dry milk
1 1/3 cup warm water (105 degrees F)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for dough)
4 cups flour
9 ounces vegetable oil (3 ounces per pan) (I used 2 tablespoons of oil per pan instead of 3 ounces)
butter-flavored cooking spray

Sauce

1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 teaspoon dry oregano
1/2 teaspoon marjoram
1/2 teaspoon dry basil
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

NOTE:  I was only able to buy a 398 ml/14 ounce can of tomato sauce so just used that and doubled the spices.

Put yeast, sugar, salt, and dry milk in a large (2 qt.) bowl. Add water and stir to mix well. Allow to sit for two minutes. Add oil and stir again. Add flour and stir until dough forms and flour is absorbed.

Turn out on to a flat surface and knead for about 10 minutes (I let my KitchenAid do the mixing and kneading). Divide dough into three balls. In three 9" cake pans, put 3 ounces of oil in each (I put 2 tablespoons of oil in each) making sure it is spread evenly. Using a rolling pin, roll out each dough ball to about a 9" circle. Place in cake pans. (Don't worry if you can't roll it out to fit cake pan exactly.  As it rests and rises, it'll fill out the pan).

Spray the outer edge of dough with cooking spray. Cover.  Place in warm area and allow to rise for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

Sauce:

Combine ingredients and let sit for 1 hour.

For each nine-inch pizza: Preheat oven to 475F.  Spoon 1/3 cup sauce (or as much as you want) on dough and spread to within 1" of edge. Distribute 1 1/2 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese on sauce. Place toppings of your choice in this order: pepperoni or ham, vegetables, meats (cooked ground sausage or beef). Top with 3 ounces mozzarella cheese.  Cook until cheese is bubbling and outer crust is brown (about 10 minutes in my oven).

NOTE:  I sprinkled a bit of grated Parmesan and Italian Seasoning over my pizza doughs before adding sauce and toppings.

Makes 3 9-inch pizzas

Source:  CDKitchen

Pin It