Detroit-Style Thick Crust Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella and Pepperoni

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-14 · Updated 2026-07-14

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A rectangular Detroit-style pizza featuring a thick, airy crust topped with melted fresh mozzarella and crispy pepperoni, baked to golden perfection. This Italian-inspired pizza recipe, ready in about 93 minutes, pairs bread flour, warm water, active dry yeast for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, 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: 75 min Cook: 18 min Serves 4 Italian cuisine 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

3 cups bread flour
1 cup warm water
2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
1 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
8 oz, sliced fresh mozzarella
20 pepperoni slices
1 cup pizza sauce
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, dissolve 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast and 1 tbsp sugar in 1 cup warm water (about 110°F). Let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 3 cups bread flour and 1 tsp salt. Add the yeast mixture and 2 tbsp olive oil, stirring until a sticky dough forms. Knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Step 3: Lightly oil a Detroit-style rectangular pan with 1 tbsp olive oil. Place the dough in the pan, pressing it evenly to the edges. Cover with a kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
Step 4: Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C) with the rack in the lower third position.
Step 5: Spread 1 cup pizza sauce evenly over the risen dough, leaving a small border. Arrange 8 oz sliced fresh mozzarella evenly on top, then layer 20 pepperoni slices over the cheese.
Step 6: Sprinkle 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese around the edges of the dough to create a crispy cheese crust.
Step 7: Bake the pizza for 15-18 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and edges are golden brown and crispy.
Step 8: Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before slicing directly in the rectangular pan.