Detroit-Style Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizza with Cheddar Cheese Crust

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Pan-baked deep dish pizza featuring a thick, crispy cheddar cheese crust layered with pepperoni and a rich tomato sauce. This american-inspired pizza ready in about 45 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 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 6 American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Detroit-Style Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizza with Cheddar Cheese Crust take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Detroit-Style Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizza with Cheddar Cheese Crust?

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 Detroit-Style Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizza with Cheddar Cheese Crust?

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 Detroit-Style Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizza with Cheddar Cheese Crust for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Detroit-Style Deep Dish Pepperoni Pizza with Cheddar Cheese Crust?

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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