Baked Detroit-Style Square Pizza with Caramelized Pepperoni and Cheese

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Thick, airy square pizza with a crispy cheese edge and caramelized pepperoni slices, capturing the essence of Detroit’s famous pizza style. This american-inspired pizza ready in about 98 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, (110°F) warm water, (1 packet) active dry yeast for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 80 min Cook: 18 min Serves 8 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup warm water (110°F), 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast, and 1 teaspoon sugar; stir and let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 2 tablespoons olive oil to the yeast mixture; mix until a sticky dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  3. Step 3: Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour until doubled.
  4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 500°F and lightly oil a 9x13-inch rectangular baking pan with remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
  5. Step 5: Press risen dough into the prepared pan evenly, pushing dough to edges; spread 1 cup pizza sauce evenly over the dough.
  6. Step 6: Evenly distribute 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, making sure some cheese touches the pan edges to create a crispy crust.
  7. Step 7: Top with 30 pepperoni slices arranged in a single layer.
  8. Step 8: Bake for 15-18 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and edges are caramelized and crisp.
  9. Step 9: Remove from oven, let cool 5 minutes, then slice into squares and serve.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Detroit-Style Square Pizza with Caramelized Pepperoni and Cheese take to make?

Total time is about 98 minutes (80 min prep + 18 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Baked Detroit-Style Square Pizza with Caramelized Pepperoni and Cheese?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep all-purpose flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Detroit-Style Square Pizza with Caramelized Pepperoni and Cheese?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Baked Detroit-Style Square Pizza with Caramelized Pepperoni and Cheese for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Baked Detroit-Style Square Pizza with Caramelized Pepperoni and Cheese?

American pizza like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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