Detroit-Style Pan Pizza with Caramelized Onions and Italian Sausage

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-13 · Updated 2026-05-13

Thick, airy pan pizza topped with sweet caramelized onions, spicy Italian sausage, and melted mozzarella cheese, baked to a golden crust. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 100 minutes pairs bread flour, instant yeast, (110°F) warm water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 tsp instant yeast
• 1 1/4 cups (110°F) warm water
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 8 oz, casings removed Italian sausage
• 1 large, thinly sliced yellow onion
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1/2 tsp (optional) crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups bread flour, 2 tsp instant yeast, and 1 tsp salt. Add 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F) and 2 tbsp olive oil. Stir until dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place dough in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
2. Step 2: While dough rises, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and caramelized. Remove onions and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, add Italian sausage (8 oz, casings removed). Cook over medium heat, breaking into pieces, for 6-8 minutes until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 475°F. Lightly oil a 9x13-inch rectangular pan with 1 tbsp olive oil. Press risen dough evenly into the pan, spreading to edges.
5. Step 5: Evenly distribute caramelized onions and cooked sausage over the dough. Sprinkle 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese over toppings, then dust with 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese. Add 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes if using.
6. Step 6: Bake pizza for 15-18 minutes until cheese is bubbly and crust edges are crispy and golden. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing and serving.