Deep Dish Detroit-Style Pepperoni Pizza
A thick, square-cut pizza with a crispy golden crust, topped generously with pepperoni and melted mozzarella cheese baked to perfection. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 98 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, 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 450 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.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 30 slices pepperoni slices
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup warm water (around 110°F), 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast, and 1 tbsp sugar. Stir and let sit for 5-7 minutes until foamy and active.
- Step 2: Add 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until a dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Step 3: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Step 4: Preheat the oven to 475°F. Butter a 9x13-inch rectangular baking pan with 2 tbsp butter.
- Step 5: Punch down the risen dough and press it evenly into the prepared pan, pushing the dough up the sides slightly to form a crust edge.
- Step 6: Scatter 3 cups shredded mozzarella evenly over the dough, then arrange 30 pepperoni slices on top, covering the cheese.
- Step 7: Spoon 1 cup pizza sauce in three thick stripes over the pepperoni, spacing them evenly.
- Step 8: Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the edges of the crust are golden and crispy.
- Step 9: Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before slicing into 8 squares. Serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Deep Dish Detroit-Style Pepperoni Pizza 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 Deep Dish Detroit-Style Pepperoni Pizza?
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 Deep Dish Detroit-Style Pepperoni Pizza?
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 Deep Dish Detroit-Style Pepperoni Pizza 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 Deep Dish Detroit-Style Pepperoni Pizza?
Italian 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.
