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Fell in Love with Detroit-Style Pizza (And Made It My Family’s New Obsession)

Detroit-Style Pizza is a thick, rectangular pizza with a crispy, caramelized crust, melty cheese, and a signature stripe of tomato sauce. This iconic pizza is baked in a deep, rectangular pan, giving it a unique texture and flavor.
Detroit-Style Pizza is a thick, rectangular pizza with a crispy, caramelized crust, melty cheese, and a signature stripe of tomato sauce. This iconic pizza is baked in a deep, rectangular pan, giving it a unique texture and flavor.

Hey there! Let me take you back to the night I accidentally changed pizza night forever. Picture this: I’d burned yet another frozen pie, my kids were chanting “DoorDash!” and my patience hung by a thread. Then I stumbled on a TikTok about Detroit-Style Pizza—those crispy cheese edges! That fluffy crust! I thought, “I can DO this.” Spoiler: My first attempt looked like a cheese brick explosion. But today? This pizza’s our Friday night ritual. Let me show you how to make magic in a pan!

Why I Make Detroit-Style Pizza Instead of Ordering

I used to think “fancy pizza” meant adding extra pepperoni. Then I discovered:

  1. Takeout Detroit-style costs $30+ (and never enough crispy edges!).
  2. Homemade lets me cheat (store-bought dough works wonders!).
  3. Kids think it’s “pizza cake” (anything cake-shaped wins!).

Now, it’s my secret weapon for impressing in-laws, surviving potlucks, and feeling like a pizza rockstar.

My Never-Fail Detroit-Style Pizza Recipe

This recipe forgives shortcuts. I’ve used everything from fancy bread flour to Walmart dough. It always works.

Ingredients

(Fits a 10x14” pan – serves 4-6)

  • Dough: 1 lb store-bought pizza dough (or homemade)
  • Cheese: 2 cups shredded Wisconsin brick cheese (or 1 ½ cups mozzarella + ½ cup Monterey Jack)
  • Sauce: 1 cup marinara + 1 tbsp honey
  • Toppings: 30 pepperoni slices, ¼ cup grated Parmesan
  • Tools: Metal pan (cake pan works!), 2 tbsp olive oil

Step-by-Step

  1. Prep the Pan:
  • Pour olive oil into pan. Swirl to coat sides.
  1. Stretch the Dough:
  • Let dough rest 30 minutes. Stretch to fit pan (it’ll shrink – that’s okay!).
  • Let rise 1 hour (I use my oven’s “proof” setting).
  1. Cheese It Up:
  • Preheat oven to 500°F.
  • Press pepperoni into dough. Smother with cheese (go edge-to-edge!).
  1. Bake to Glory:
  • Bake 15 minutes until edges are mahogany.
  1. Sauce & Serve:
  • Warm marinara + honey. Drizzle in stripes. Sprinkle Parmesan.

Pro Tip: For caramelized crust, use half butter half oil in the pan!

5 Detroit-Style Twists I Love

  1. Breakfast Pizza: Add scrambled eggs + bacon under cheese.
  2. Veggie Delight: Roasted red peppers + spinach + feta.
  3. Spicy Queen: Mix jalapeños into sauce + pickled onions on top.
  4. White Pizza: Garlic cream sauce + ricotta dollops.
  5. BBQ Chicken: Shredded chicken + BBQ sauce stripes.

How I Make It Kid-Friendly

My son once cried over “black pizza crust.” Here’s my fix:

  • Sweeten the deal: Add honey to sauce (cuts acidity).
  • Rainbow toppings: Let kids arrange veggies in patterns.
  • Dip station: Ranch + extra marinara for dunking.

3 Budget Hacks for Busy Moms

  1. Cheese swap: Brick cheese’s pricey – mozzarella + Jack mimics its melt.
  2. Pan trick: No Detroit pan? Use a cake pan or cast iron skillet.
  3. Dough cheat: Buy pre-made dough from pizza shops ($3 near me!).

Why Homemade Beats Takeout

Pizzeria versions often skimp on cheese edges. At home, I control:

  • Crisp level: Extra oil = extra crunch.
  • Toppings: Hide zucchini in sauce (shhh!).
  • Cost: $12 feeds six vs. $50+ delivery.

My Freezer Hack for Chaos Days

I prep unbaked pizzas and:

  1. Assemble without sauce.
  2. Wrap in foil. Freeze flat.
  3. Bake frozen + add sauce after (adds 3 minutes).

Pairing Ideas for Pizza Night

  • Drinks: Root beer floats or sparkling lemonade.
  • Sides: Caesar salad kit (no shame!).
  • Dessert: Chocolate chip cookie dough (bake alongside pizza!).

Fix Common Detroit-Style Fails

My first pizza resembled a greasy sponge. Lessons learned:

  • Soggy bottom? Let dough rise IN the oiled pan.
  • Pale edges? Brush pan sides with oil pre-cheese.
  • Dense crust? Don’t skip the 1-hour rise!

The Night This Pizza Saved Dinner

Last Thanksgiving, my turkey flopped. I threw together a Detroit-Style Pizza with leftover ham and cheddar. My aunt now requests it yearly. Who needs turkey?

Final Thoughts

Detroit-Style Pizza isn’t just food—it’s edible confetti. It’s cheese-crusted joy, laughter over “who gets the corner slice,” and the pride of nailing something so restaurant-worthy. Whether you’re feeding toddlers or hosting book club, this recipe bends to your life.

So grab that pan hiding in your cupboard. Your kitchen (and hungry humans!) deserve this crispy, cheesy hug.

Your Turn!

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 25 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Cooking Method:
Cuisine:
Courses: ,
Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 1
Calories: 370
Best Season: Suitable throughout the year
Description

Detroit-Style Pizza is a thick, rectangular pizza with a crispy, caramelized crust, melty cheese, and a signature stripe of tomato sauce. This iconic pizza is baked in a deep, rectangular pan, giving it a unique texture and flavor.

Ingredients
    For the Dough:
  • 2 1/4 tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
  • 1 cup warm water (110°F/45°C) 💧
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt 🧂
  • 1 tbsp olive oil 🫒
    • For the Toppings:
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (preferably low-moisture) 🧀
  • 1/2 cup Wisconsin brick cheese or Monterey Jack cheese, shredded 🧀
  • 1 cup crushed tomatoes 🍅
  • 1 tsp dried oregano 🌿
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder 🧄1/2 tsp garlic powder 🧄
  • Optional: pepperoni slices or other toppings of choice
Instructions
    Prepare the Dough
  1. 1
    In a small bowl, mix the yeast with warm water and let it sit for 5 minutes until foamy.
  2. 2
    In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Gradually add the yeast mixture and olive oil. Mix until a sticky dough forms.
  3. 3
    Knead the dough on a floured surface for 5-7 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
  4. 4
    Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
    5. Preheat the Oven
  5. 5
    Preheat your oven to 500°F (260°C).
    6. Prepare the Pan
  6. 6
    Generously grease a rectangular baking pan or Detroit-style pizza pan with olive oil. Stretch the dough into the pan, pushing it into the corners. Cover and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
    7. Assemble the Pizza
  7. 7
    Sprinkle a generous layer of mozzarella and brick cheese across the entire surface, ensuring the cheese touches the edges for a crispy crust.
  8. 8
    If using pepperoni, place the slices evenly across the cheese.
  9. 9
    Spoon the crushed tomatoes in two or three thick lines across the top. Sprinkle with oregano and garlic powder.
    10. Bake the Pizza
  10. 10
    Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and caramelized at the edges.
    11. Cool and Serve
  11. 11
    Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes. Carefully loosen the edges with a spatula and transfer the pizza to a cutting board. Slice and serve warm.
Note

Authentic Detroit-Style Pizza uses a special pan, but a 9x13-inch metal baking pan works well too. For extra flavor, drizzle with olive oil or add fresh basil after baking. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge and reheated in the oven to maintain the crispy crust.

Read it online: https://tastyleap.com/recipe/fell-in-love-with-detroit-style-pizza-and-made-it-my-familys-new-obsession/
Samantha Doe
Food and Lifestyle Blogger

Hi, I'm Samantha, a full-time food blogger, mother of 2 beautiful daughters and a lovely wife. I live in New Jersey with my family. Loves traveling, sharing new recipes, and spending time with my family.