Detroit-Style Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizza with Cheddar Cheese

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-09 · Updated 2026-07-09

Thick, airy crust layered with tangy tomato sauce, sharp cheddar, and crispy pepperoni, baked to bubbly perfection. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 38 minutes, pairs bread flour, active dry yeast, warm water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, 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 bread flour
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 cup (110°F) warm water
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp, plus extra for pan olive oil
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 30 pepperoni slices
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp (optional) crushed red pepper flakes

The pizza stone or steel we’d bake this on → Best Pizza Stones and Steels for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup warm water (110°F), 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast, and 1 tbsp granulated sugar. Stir gently and let sit for 5-7 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Add 3 cups bread flour, 1 tsp salt, and 3 tbsp olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until a shaggy dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for 7-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
3. Step 3: Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 500°F and generously oil a 10x14-inch rectangular metal baking pan with olive oil.
5. Step 5: Transfer the risen dough to the pan, stretching and pressing it evenly to the edges. Layer 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese first over the dough, then evenly distribute 30 pepperoni slices on top.
6. Step 6: Spread 1 cup tomato sauce evenly over the pepperoni, then sprinkle 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese on top. Sprinkle 1 tsp dried oregano and 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes over the cheese.
7. Step 7: Bake the pizza in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes until cheese is bubbly and edges of crust are golden brown and crispy.
8. Step 8: Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before slicing into squares and serving.