How to Make Detroit-Style Pizza Without a Special Pan

Detroit-style pizza delivers the signature caramelized cheese crust and pillowy interior using a standard metal baking dish or cast-iron skillet.

No special pan needed! Perfect for casual dinners, game nights, or feeding a hungry crowd, it pairs beautifully with a fresh salad or cold beer.

Let’s see how it is possible to make a Detroit-style pizza without using a special pan at home.

Table of Contents

Toggle

Detroit-Style Pizza Without a Special Pan

This homemade Detroit-style pizza recipe delivers the iconic caramelized cheese edges and thick, airy interior using a standard metal baking dish or cast-iron skillet—no specialty pan required!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 480 kcal

Equipment

• 9×13 inch Metal baking pan or cast-iron skillet avoid glass dishes
• Mixing bowl
• Dough scraper or spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Saucepan
• Oven

Ingredients

  

Dough:

• 2¼ cups bread flour 280g
• 1 tsp  salt
• 1 tsp  sugar
• 1 tsp  instant yeast
• ¾ cup  warm water 180ml

Sauce:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 can  crushed tomatoes 15 oz
• 1 tsp  dried oregano
• ½ tsp  sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Toppings:

• 2 cups  shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese 225g
• ½ cup brick cheese or Monterey Jack, cubed 60g, optional
• 10 slices  pepperoni or other toppings of choice

Instructions

 

• Make the Dough:

  In a large bowl, mix bread flour, salt, sugar, and yeast. Add warm water and olive oil, stir until a shaggy dough forms. Knead for 4–5 minutes until smooth. Cover the bowl and let it rise in a warm place for 2 hours, or until doubled.

  Prepare the Pan:

  Generously grease a 9×13 metal pan with olive oil (especially the edges to help crisp the cheese). Press the dough into the pan, stretching it gently to fill the corners. If it resists, let it rest for 10 minutes and stretch again.
  
• Make the Sauce:

  Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Sauté garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes until thickened. Set aside.

  Assemble the Pizza:

  Sprinkle cheese all the way to the edges of the dough. Add toppings like pepperoni over the cheese. Spoon stripes of sauce on top (traditional Detroit-style layout).
  
• Bake:

  Preheat oven to 500°F (260°C). Bake for 15–20 minutes until edges are deeply golden and crispy.

  Finish and Serve:

  Let pizza cool for 5 minutes in the pan. Run a spatula around the edges to release the crust. Slice into squares and serve hot.
  

Video

Notes

Cooking Tips

• Cheese to the Edge: This is key for that crispy, lacy edge. Don’t be shy about touching the edge of the pan with cheese!
• Let It Rest: Allowing the dough to relax between stretches helps it fit the pan better.
• Alternative Cheeses: If you can’t find brick cheese, a mix of mozzarella and Monterey Jack gives similar richness.
• Crispier Crust Hack: Preheat the pan in the oven for a couple of minutes before pressing in the dough.

Keyword Easy Pizza, Easy Recipe, Homemade Pizza, Recipe

How About Alternative Ingredients?

If you can’t source some of the traditional ingredients used in Detroit-style pizza, don’t worry, there are plenty of excellent substitutes that still yield delicious results. For instance, brick cheese, a hallmark of authentic Detroit-style pies, can be tricky to find outside the Midwest.

A great alternative is a blend of low-moisture mozzarella and Monterey Jack or white cheddar. The combination mimics the buttery richness and meltability of brick cheese while still delivering that signature crispy edge when baked against the sides of the pan.

As for the dough, bread flour is preferred for its high protein content, which gives the crust its chewy texture and structure.

However, if you only have all-purpose flour, it will still work, just expect a slightly softer, less chewy base. For those looking to add whole grains, a 50/50 mix of whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour can offer a nuttier flavor and a bit more fiber, though you might need a splash more water to maintain the dough’s hydration.

And when it comes to sauce, feel free to swap crushed tomatoes with tomato puree or passata, adjusting seasoning to taste.

Add-ins like chili flakes, fresh basil, or even a splash of balsamic vinegar can personalize the flavor to your liking.

The Bottom Line

Mastering Detroit-style pizza at home proves that great results don’t require specialty equipment or hard-to-find ingredients. A simple metal baking dish, quality cheese, and thoughtfully layered toppings can recreate the crisp-edged, fluffy-centered experience that defines the dish.

Home cooks can experiment confidently, adjusting sauces, cheeses, and toppings to suit personal preferences or dietary needs. With a few creative substitutions and attention to technique, anyone can craft a deeply satisfying version that rivals those served in restaurants.