Detroit Style Pizza Recipe with Pickled Tomato Sauce
Detroit-style pizza features a thick, airy crust with crispy caramelized cheese edges and a signature rectangular shape. This version is topped with a bold pickled tomato sauce that adds a tangy, slightly sweet contrast to the rich cheese, creating a perfectly balanced and flavorful pizza.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 squares
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- For the dough:
- 3 cups bread flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 cup warm water
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- For the pickled tomato sauce:
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- For assembly:
- 2 1/2 cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup brick cheese (or additional mozzarella)
- Pepperoni slices (optional)
- Olive oil for greasing the pan
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine bread flour, salt, sugar, and yeast. Add warm water and olive oil, mixing until a sticky dough forms.
- Knead briefly until smooth. Cover and let rise for 1–2 hours until doubled in size.
- Generously oil a 9×13-inch rectangular baking pan. Transfer dough to the pan and gently stretch to fit. Let rest 20–30 minutes, then stretch again if needed.
- Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C).
- In a small saucepan, combine crushed tomatoes, apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, oregano, and garlic. Simmer for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened. Set aside.
- Press dough into the pan corners. Sprinkle mozzarella and brick cheese evenly over the dough, ensuring cheese reaches the edges.
- Add pepperoni if using.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes until edges are deep golden brown and cheese is bubbly.
- Remove from oven and spoon stripes of pickled tomato sauce over the top.
- Let rest 5 minutes before slicing into squares and serving.
Notes
- Ensure cheese touches the pan edges to achieve crispy caramelization.
- A metal rectangular pan works best for authentic texture.
- Sauce can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated.
- Allow dough proper rise time for a light, airy crust.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
