Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Thick, airy, and chewy crust
Crispy caramelized cheese edges
Rich and flavorful tomato sauce
Perfect for feeding a crowd
Easy to customize with toppings
Restaurant-quality pizza at home
Great for pizza lovers who enjoy a hearty slice
Excellent leftovers

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Dough

3 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon instant yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1¼ cups warm water
1 tablespoon olive oil

For the Sauce

1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper

For the Toppings

12 ounces brick cheese or a mixture of mozzarella and Monterey Jack cheese, cubed or shredded
4 ounces sliced pepperoni (optional)

For the Pan

2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the bread flour, yeast, and salt.
Add the warm water and olive oil and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
Perform a few stretch-and-folds until the dough becomes smoother.
Cover and allow the dough to rise for 1½ to 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
While the dough rises, prepare the sauce by combining the crushed tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper in a small saucepan.
Simmer the sauce over low heat for 15 minutes, then set aside to cool.
Generously coat a 9×13-inch metal baking pan with olive oil.
Transfer the dough to the pan and gently stretch it toward the corners.
Let the dough rest for 15 minutes if it resists stretching, then continue until it fills the pan.
Cover and let the dough rise again for 30–45 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C) or as hot as your oven allows.
Scatter the cheese evenly over the dough, making sure some reaches the edges of the pan.
Add pepperoni if using.
Bake for 12–15 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and deeply golden around the edges.
Remove the pizza from the oven and spoon the sauce in stripes across the top.
Return to the oven for 2–3 minutes if desired.
Carefully loosen the pizza from the pan and transfer it to a cutting board.
Slice into squares and serve hot.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 8
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Rise Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15–18 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 3 hours

Variations

Classic Pepperoni Detroit Pizza: Add pepperoni beneath the cheese.
Meat Lovers Version: Add sausage, bacon, and pepperoni.
Veggie Detroit Pizza: Top with mushrooms, peppers, onions, and olives.
Four Cheese Pizza: Use mozzarella, Monterey Jack, provolone, and cheddar.
Spicy Detroit Pizza: Add hot honey or red pepper flakes.
BBQ Chicken Pizza: Use barbecue sauce and cooked chicken.
Supreme Pizza: Add a combination of meats and vegetables.

Storage/Reheating

Storage

Store leftover pizza in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezing

Freeze individual slices wrapped tightly for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Reheat in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 8–10 minutes or in an air fryer until the crust becomes crisp again.

FAQs

What makes Detroit-Style Pizza different?

It features a thick rectangular crust, caramelized cheese edges, and sauce added on top of the cheese.

What is brick cheese?

Brick cheese is a semi-soft cheese traditionally used for Detroit-style pizza, though mozzarella and Monterey Jack are common substitutes.

Why is the sauce placed on top?

This signature technique helps preserve the crispy cheese layer and gives the pizza its distinctive appearance.

Can I use a regular baking pan?

Yes. A 9×13-inch metal baking pan works well for homemade Detroit-style pizza.

Why is the cheese placed to the edges?

The cheese caramelizes against the pan, creating the iconic crispy edge crust.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes. The dough can be refrigerated overnight for additional flavor development.

What toppings work best?

Pepperoni is traditional, but sausage, vegetables, bacon, and other toppings are also popular.

How do I get a crispy crust?

Use plenty of oil in the pan and bake at a very high temperature.

Can I freeze the dough?

Yes. The dough can be frozen after the first rise for up to 3 months.

What should I serve with Detroit-Style Pizza?

A simple green salad, Caesar salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables pair perfectly.

Conclusion

Detroit-Style Pizza is a unique and unforgettable pizza experience featuring a thick, airy crust, crispy caramelized cheese edges, and bold tomato sauce. Its distinctive rectangular shape and rich flavor make it a standout among pizza styles. Whether you’re recreating a classic Detroit favorite or trying this style for the first time, this homemade recipe delivers pizzeria-quality results that are sure to satisfy every pizza lover.

Detroit-Style Pizza

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Detroit-Style Pizza features a thick, airy crust with crispy caramelized cheese edges and rich tomato sauce layered on top. This iconic rectangular pizza delivers bold flavor, a chewy interior, and a perfectly crisp finish.

Author: Laura
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Main Course
Method: Bake
Cuisine: American
Diet: Halal

Instructions

In a large bowl, combine the bread flour, yeast, and salt.
Add the warm water and olive oil and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
Cover and let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
Perform several stretch-and-folds until the dough becomes smoother.
Cover and let the dough rise for 1½ to 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
Prepare the sauce by combining the crushed tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper in a saucepan.
Simmer the sauce over low heat for 15 minutes, then allow it to cool.
Generously coat a 9×13-inch metal baking pan with olive oil.
Transfer the dough to the pan and gently stretch it toward the corners.
If needed, let the dough rest for 15 minutes and continue stretching until it fills the pan.
Cover and let the dough rise again for 30–45 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 500°F (260°C) or as hot as your oven allows.
Scatter the cheese evenly over the dough, ensuring some reaches the edges of the pan.
Add pepperoni if using.
Bake for 12–15 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and deeply golden around the edges.
Remove the pizza and spoon the sauce in stripes across the top.
Return to the oven for 2–3 minutes if desired.
Carefully loosen the pizza from the pan, transfer to a cutting board, slice into squares, and serve hot.

Notes

Allow cheese to reach the edges of the pan for the signature caramelized crust.
Brick cheese is traditional, but mozzarella and Monterey Jack make excellent substitutes.
The dough can be refrigerated overnight for enhanced flavor.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze individual slices for up to 2 months.
Reheat in the oven or air fryer to restore crispness.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 410 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 780 mg
Fat: 17 g
Saturated Fat: 8 g
Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 46 g
Fiber: 2 g
Protein: 18 g
Cholesterol: 35 mg