Detroit-Style Thick Crust Pepperoni Pizza

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

A pan-baked square pizza with a thick, airy crust topped with spicy pepperoni and a sweet tomato sauce, inspired by Detroit’s iconic regional style. This american-inspired pizza ready in about 40 minutes pairs (400 g) bread flour, instant yeast, (300 ml) 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 20 min Serves 6 American cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 1/4 cups bread flour, 2 tsp instant yeast, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 1/2 tsp salt. Add 1 1/4 cups warm water and 2 tbsp olive oil; mix until a rough dough forms.
  2. Step 2: Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in an oiled bowl, cover with a towel, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled.
  3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 500°F and generously oil a 9x13-inch Detroit-style pizza pan or rectangular baking pan with 1 tbsp olive oil.
  4. Step 4: Stretch the dough into the pan, pushing it to the edges. Spread 3 cups shredded mozzarella evenly over the dough, making sure cheese reaches the edges to create the characteristic crispy crust.
  5. Step 5: Arrange 8 oz pepperoni slices evenly on top of the cheese.
  6. Step 6: In a small bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups crushed tomatoes with 1/2 tsp garlic powder and 1/2 tsp dried oregano. Spoon the sauce in three long stripes over the pepperoni.
  7. Step 7: Bake the pizza for 15-18 minutes until the crust is golden and cheese is bubbly and slightly caramelized.
  8. Step 8: Remove from oven and sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese over the top. Let cool for 5 minutes before slicing into squares.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Detroit-Style Thick Crust Pepperoni Pizza take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 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 Thick Crust Pepperoni Pizza?

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 (400 g) bread flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Detroit-Style Thick Crust Pepperoni Pizza?

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 Thick Crust Pepperoni Pizza 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 Thick Crust Pepperoni Pizza?

American 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.

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