Detroit-Style Pan Pizza with Caramelized Onions and Smoked Sausage

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-09 · Updated 2026-07-09

A thick-crust pan pizza inspired by Detroit classics, topped with savory smoked sausage, sweet caramelized onions, and a blend of cheeses baked to golden perfection. This american-inspired pizza ready in about 108 minutes pairs all-purpose flour, (1 packet) active dry yeast, (110°F) warm water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 8, 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
• 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cups (110°F) warm water
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp, plus 2 tbsp for pan olive oil
• 8 oz, sliced 1/4 inch thick smoked sausage
• 1 large, thinly sliced yellow onion
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded brick cheese or provolone
• 1 cup, spread in ribbons tomato sauce
• 1 tsp dried oregano

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups all-purpose flour, 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 1/2 tsp salt. Stir in 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F) and 3 tbsp olive oil. Mix until dough comes together, then knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
2. Step 2: Lightly oil a clean bowl with 1 tbsp olive oil. Place the dough inside, cover with a clean towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
3. Step 3: 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 deep golden and caramelized. Remove onions and set aside.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, cook 8 oz sliced smoked sausage over medium heat for 4-5 minutes until browned and slightly crisp. Set aside.
5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 475°F. Oil a 9x13 inch Detroit-style pizza pan or cast iron skillet with 2 tbsp olive oil. Press the risen dough evenly into the pan, pushing it to the edges to create a thick crust.
6. Step 6: Layer the pizza with 1 cup shredded brick cheese or provolone, then 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top. Scatter the caramelized onions and browned smoked sausage over the cheese.
7. Step 7: Dollop 1 cup tomato sauce in ribbons over the toppings, then sprinkle 1 tsp dried oregano evenly.
8. Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes until crust edges are golden and cheese is bubbly and browned in spots.
9. Step 9: Let pizza cool for 5 minutes before slicing and serving hot.