Detroit-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Pepperoni and Spinach
A thick-crust pizza loaded with gooey cheese, tangy tomato sauce, pepperoni, and fresh spinach, baked to golden perfection in a cast iron skillet. This american-inspired quick meals ready in about 50 minutes pairs pizza dough, tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 250g pizza dough
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup pepperoni slices
- 1/2 cup torn fresh spinach
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella and 1/2 tsp oregano, swirling to coat the pan.
- Step 2: Roll out pizza dough into a 12-inch circle. Place in the skillet, pressing edges into the pan. Spread 1/2 cup tomato sauce evenly over the dough. Top with remaining mozzarella, pepperoni slices, and spinach.
- Step 3: Bake for 25-30 minutes until crust is golden and bubbly. Let cool 10 minutes before slicing into wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Detroit-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Pepperoni and Spinach take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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 Pizza with Pepperoni and Spinach?
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 pizza dough from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Detroit-Style Deep Dish Pizza with Pepperoni and Spinach?
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 Pizza with Pepperoni and Spinach for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Pizza with Pepperoni and Spinach?
American quick meals 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
- ★★☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
