Rustic Detroit-Style Square Pepperoni Pizza

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Thick-crust Detroit-style pizza baked in a rectangular pan with layers of cheese and pepperoni that caramelize along the edges for a crispy, cheesy bite. This american-inspired pizza ready in about 38 minutes pairs (420 g) bread flour, (1 packet) active dry yeast, (300 ml) warm water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 American cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 3 1/2 cups bread flour, 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 1/2 tsp salt. Gradually add 1 1/4 cups warm water and 2 tbsp olive oil, stirring until a sticky dough forms.
  2. Step 2: Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  3. Step 3: Preheat oven to 500°F (260°C). Coat a 9x13-inch rectangular baking pan with 2 tbsp olive oil.
  4. Step 4: Punch down the dough and press it evenly into the pan, pushing the dough to the edges to form a thick, even base.
  5. Step 5: Spread 1 cup Detroit-style pizza sauce evenly over the dough. Sprinkle 3 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce.
  6. Step 6: Arrange 1 1/2 cups pepperoni slices evenly on top of the cheese, slightly overlapping.
  7. Step 7: Bake pizza in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and edges are golden and caramelized.
  8. Step 8: Remove from oven, let cool for 5 minutes, then cut into squares and serve.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Rustic Detroit-Style Square Pepperoni Pizza 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 Rustic Detroit-Style Square 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 (420 g) bread flour from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Rustic Detroit-Style Square 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 Rustic Detroit-Style Square 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 Rustic Detroit-Style Square 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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