Detroit-Style Pizza with Garlic Cheese Sauce
A crispy, thin-crust pizza topped with a rich garlic cheese sauce and melted mozzarella, inspired by Hazel Park's best pizza spots. This american-inspired quick meals ready in about 35 minutes blends ball (approx. 12 oz) pizza dough, tomato sauce, shredded mozzarella cheese into a versatile sauce that lifts everything from grain bowls and roasted vegetables to grilled proteins — a small-batch staple worth keeping in the fridge. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so a small batch covers several meals across the week without taking over the fridge. 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
- 1 ball (approx. 12 oz) pizza dough
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup, shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C). Roll out pizza dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle, stretching to 1/8-inch thickness.
- Step 2: Brush dough with olive oil, then spread tomato sauce evenly over the surface.
- Step 3: Sprinkle garlic, salt, and black pepper over the sauce, then layer mozzarella cheese on top.
- Step 4: Bake for 10-12 minutes until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool slightly.
- Step 5: Slice into triangular pieces and serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Detroit-Style Pizza with Garlic Cheese Sauce take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (20 min prep + 15 min cook). A small batch typically covers several meals in the week — store as the recipe directs.
How do I store leftover Detroit-Style Pizza with Garlic Cheese Sauce?
Transfer to an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to 5–7 days. Most sauces freeze well for up to 2 months — portion into small containers or freezer bags so you can thaw only what you need. Stir before serving; cream- or yogurt-based sauces may separate on standing.
Can I substitute ingredients in Detroit-Style Pizza with Garlic Cheese Sauce?
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 Pizza with Garlic Cheese Sauce 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 Pizza with Garlic Cheese Sauce?
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
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
Perfect quick meals recipe for a weeknight dinner.