Detroit-Style Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizza with Cheddar Cheese Crust

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-17 · Updated 2026-05-17

Pan-baked deep dish pizza featuring a thick, crispy cheddar cheese crust layered with pepperoni and a rich tomato sauce. This American-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs all-purpose flour, warm water, active dry yeast for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (110°F) warm water
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 20 pepperoni slices
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 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 small bowl, combine 1 cup warm water (110°F), 1 tablespoon sugar, and 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast. Let sit for 5-7 minutes until frothy.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 3 cups all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon salt. Add the yeast mixture and 2 tablespoons olive oil, stirring to combine and then knead for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover with a towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 475°F. Generously grease a 9x13 inch rectangular pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil, then sprinkle 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese evenly across the bottom to form a cheese crust.
4. Step 4: Press the risen dough into the pan over the cheddar, stretching it to the edges. Layer 20 pepperoni slices evenly over the dough, followed by 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese.
5. Step 5: Spread 1 cup tomato sauce over the top, sprinkle 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and optionally 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.
6. Step 6: Bake for 18-22 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and browned on the edges. Let cool 5 minutes before slicing into squares and serving.