Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Detroit-style pizza is the perfect balance of textures and flavors. The crust is crunchy and airy, almost like a focaccia, while the toppings—cheese, pepperoni, and marinara sauce—combine in perfect harmony. The key to this pizza is the high oven temperature and the way the cheese melts and crisps up along the edges of the dough. Once you try this pizza, you’ll be hooked!

ingredients

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

For the dough

1 cup warm water
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
1 teaspoon white sugar
2 ½ cups bread flour
3 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon kosher salt

For the sauce

1 (24 ounce) jar marinara sauce
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon garlic powder

For the toppings

8 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese
4 ounces shredded mild Cheddar cheese
1 (8 ounce) package thick pepperoni slices

directions

Prepare the dough: Pour warm water into the bowl of a stand mixer, add yeast and sugar, and let it dissolve.
Add 2 teaspoons of olive oil, salt, and bread flour to the mixture. Knead the dough using a dough hook attachment until smooth, soft, and elastic.
Drizzle the remaining 1 teaspoon of olive oil onto a 10×14-inch Detroit-style pizza pan. Spread the oil across the bottom of the pan using your fingers. Place the dough in the center of the pan, oil your fingers, and stretch the dough to fit the pan, forming a rectangular shape.
Cover the dough and let it rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Make the sauce: In a saucepan, bring the marinara sauce, oregano, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder to a simmer over medium-low heat. Let it simmer for 15 minutes.
Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 525°F (274°C).
Assemble the pizza: Press out any air from the dough, ensuring it stretches all the way to the edges of the pan. Stretch the dough up the sides about ½ inch. Lay most of the pepperoni slices on top of the dough. Sprinkle both the Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheeses evenly over the dough, covering the edges well.
Ladle the marinara sauce on top in three long strips. Scatter the remaining pepperoni slices over the sauce.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven until the pizza is golden brown, about 15 minutes.
Let the pizza cool for 5 minutes before carefully sliding it onto a cutting board. Slice into rectangular pieces and serve immediately.

Servings and timing

Servings: 9
Prep time: 25 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Additional time: 1 hour 5 minutes (for dough to rise)
Total time: 1 hour 45 minutes

Variations

Cheese variations: Use a blend of mozzarella, provolone, or gouda for a different flavor profile.
Veggie toppings: Add mushrooms, bell peppers, onions, or olives for extra flavor and texture.
Meat lovers: Top with additional types of meat like sausage, bacon, or ham for a heartier pizza.
Spicy version: Add jalapeños or banana peppers for a spicy kick.

storage/reheating

Storage: Leftover pizza can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Freeze leftover pizza slices for up to 3 months. Wrap each slice individually to avoid sticking.
Reheating: Reheat slices in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until the crust crisps up again. You can also reheat slices in a skillet for a crispy crust.

FAQs

1. Can I use regular pizza dough instead of the one in the recipe?

While you can use regular pizza dough, Detroit-style pizza benefits from a thicker, bread-like dough that provides the signature crispy texture.

2. What is the best type of pan to use?

A 10×14-inch Detroit-style pizza pan is ideal, but a similar-sized rectangular baking pan can also work.

3. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dough a day ahead and let it rise slowly in the fridge. Just let it come to room temperature before baking.

4. Can I use store-bought sauce?

Yes, you can use store-bought marinara sauce, but simmering it with spices enhances the flavor and makes it more authentic.

5. Is Detroit-style pizza gluten-free?

This recipe contains gluten due to the bread flour in the dough. You can experiment with gluten-free flour blends if needed.

6. How can I make the crust even crispier?

Bake the pizza at a high temperature, and make sure the crust touches the sides of the pan so it can get crispy.

7. Can I add more cheese to the pizza?

Yes, adding more cheese to the crust edges or under the sauce gives it an extra cheesy bite.

8. Can I make this recipe in a round pan?

While Detroit-style pizza is typically rectangular, you can make it in a round pan, but the texture and crust might differ slightly.

9. Can I use a different type of pepperoni?

Yes, feel free to use turkey pepperoni or another variety, but the traditional thick-cut pepperoni works best for this recipe.

10. Can I freeze the dough?

Yes, you can freeze the dough after it has risen. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before using.

Conclusion

Detroit-style pizza is the ultimate pizza indulgence with its crispy, cheesy crust and savory toppings. The combination of a well-baked, slightly airy dough and the perfect blend of cheese and pepperoni makes every slice a delight. Try this recipe the next time you crave a new and exciting take on pizza, and enjoy a slice of pizza history right in your own kitchen!