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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!
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Prep Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
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.
    A wooden bowl filled with white flour on a rustic wooden table
  • 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).
    Olive oil being poured into a skillet with chopped tomatoes and garlic on a stove
  • 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.
    Freshly baked Detroit-style pepperoni pizza with thick crust and golden cheese in a baking tray

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