Cast Iron Deep-Dish Pizza

Combine yeast, brown sugar, and warm water in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Allow it to rest for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the yeast becomes soft and forms a creamy foam.

Proceed with adding 2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup at a time, while the mixer is on its lowest setting. Add 1/4 cup of butter and garlic salt, followed by the remaining 2 cups of flour. Mix until the dough is smooth, elastic, and has been kneaded for 5 to 7 minutes.

Next, prepare a large glass bowl by coating it with 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil. Form the dough into a ball and place it in the bowl, ensuring all sides are coated with oil. Cover the bowl with a piece of plastic wrap that has been sprayed with cooking spray, oiled-side down. Cover the bowl with a towel and let it rise in a warm area until the dough has doubled in volume, approximately 45 minutes.

Subsequently, punch down the dough and allow it to rest for 20 minutes.

Heat a skillet over medium heat, then add bulk sausage and cook until it is browned and crumbly, roughly 5 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked sausage to a bowl, retaining the drippings in the skillet.

Add the remaining sausage link to the drippings and cook until it is browned and no longer pink in the center, approximately 10 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Slice the sausage.

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 12-inch cast iron skillet with the remaining 2 tablespoons of grapeseed oil.

Press the dough into and up the sides of the prepared skillet. Use a fork to poke holes in the dough, preventing air bubbles from forming. Spread pizza sauce around the base of the crust. Sprinkle 1/2 of the mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then layer with 1/2 of the bulk sausage, 1/2 of the sliced sausage, and 1/2 of the pepperoni. Repeat the meat layers once more, then top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.

Bake the pizza on the bottom rack of your preheated oven until the crust is golden brown, approximately 25 minutes. Brush the crust with melted butter, then season with Italian seasoning and garlic powder. Remove the pizza from the skillet and let it rest for 3 to 5 minutes before slicing.