Detroit-Style Square Pizza with Caramelized Onions and Smoked Mozzarella

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-19 · Updated 2026-05-19

A thick, airy square pizza inspired by Seattle’s love for Detroit-style pies, topped with sweet caramelized onions and smoky mozzarella cheese. This italian-inspired pizza ready in about 110 minutes pairs bread flour, (110°F) warm water, 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.

Ingredients

• 3 cups bread flour
• 1 cup (110°F) warm water
• 2 tsp active dry yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 2 medium, thinly sliced yellow onion
• 12 oz, shredded smoked mozzarella cheese
• 20 slices pepperoni slices
• 1 cup crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, dissolve 2 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tsp sugar in 1 cup warm water (110°F). Let sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
2. Step 2: Add 3 cups bread flour, 1 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp olive oil to the yeast mixture and stir to combine, then knead on a floured surface for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
3. Step 3: Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 2 thinly sliced yellow onions and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deep golden and caramelized. Remove from heat.
4. Step 4: Preheat oven to 500°F. Lightly oil a 9x13-inch rectangular baking pan and press the risen dough evenly into the pan, stretching to edges.
5. Step 5: Evenly scatter the 12 oz shredded smoked mozzarella over the dough, then layer with 20 pepperoni slices and the caramelized onions.
6. Step 6: Mix 1 cup crushed tomatoes with 1/2 tsp dried oregano and 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, then spoon the sauce in three thick stripes lengthwise over the pizza.
7. Step 7: Bake the pizza on the middle rack for 15-18 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and edges are golden and crispy. Let cool 5 minutes before slicing into squares and serving.