Detroit-Style Sicilian Pizza with Crispy Cheese Edge

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A thick, airy Detroit-style pizza baked in a rectangular pan with a caramelized cheese crust and topped with rich tomato sauce and mozzarella. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 38 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 420 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: 18 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 420 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp sugar.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast in 1 1/4 cups warm water (110°F) and let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
  3. Step 3: Add the yeast mixture and 1/4 cup olive oil to the flour mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms.
  4. Step 4: Knead the dough on a floured surface for 8 minutes until elastic and smooth, then place in an oiled bowl and cover; let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
  5. Step 5: Preheat oven to 500°F and grease a 9x13-inch rectangular metal pan with 2 tbsp olive oil.
  6. Step 6: Transfer the dough to the pan, stretching it evenly to the edges; let rest for 20 minutes.
  7. Step 7: Sprinkle 3 cups shredded mozzarella evenly over the dough, ensuring cheese touches the pan edges to form a crispy crust.
  8. Step 8: Arrange 20 pepperoni slices on top of the cheese.
  9. Step 9: In a bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups canned crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder; spoon dollops of sauce over the pepperoni.
  10. Step 10: Bake for 15-18 minutes until the edges are golden and cheese is bubbly.
  11. Step 11: Remove from oven and sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan over the top before slicing and serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Detroit-Style Sicilian Pizza with Crispy Cheese Edge take to make?

Total time is about 38 minutes (20 min prep + 18 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 Sicilian Pizza with Crispy Cheese Edge?

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 Sicilian Pizza with Crispy Cheese Edge?

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 Sicilian Pizza with Crispy Cheese Edge 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 Sicilian Pizza with Crispy Cheese Edge?

Italian 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.

Related recipes