Yes, you can cook a pizza in the oven without a pan. There are a few alternative methods you can use to achieve this:
Pizza Stone: If you have a pizza stone or a baking stone, you can place the pizza directly on the preheated stone. Make sure to preheat the stone in the oven for at least 30 minutes at the highest temperature setting to get it nice and hot. The pizza will cook directly on the stone, giving it a crispy crust.
Baking Sheet: If you don't have a pizza stone, you can use a baking sheet instead. Stretch out the pizza dough on the baking sheet, add your toppings, and then place it in the preheated oven.
Oven Rack: If you're in a pinch and don't have a pizza stone or baking sheet, you can place the pizza directly on the oven rack. Make sure to put a piece of aluminum foil or a baking sheet on the rack below to catch any drips or toppings that may fall.
It's important to note that cooking the pizza directly on the oven rack or without a pan may result in a slightly different texture compared to using a pan or a pizza stone. The direct heat can lead to a crispier crust, which some people prefer, but you should keep an eye on the pizza to avoid burning the bottom.
Additionally, if you're using a homemade pizza dough recipe, it's a good idea to dust the surface with cornmeal or flour to prevent sticking and make it easier to slide onto the oven rack or stone. Store-bought pizza dough often comes with parchment paper or instructions on how to handle it without a pan.
Always follow the baking instructions for your specific pizza dough recipe or store-bought dough, and adjust the cooking time and temperature as needed based on your oven and the thickness of the pizza.