Copycat Little Caesars Detroit-Style Deep Dish Pizza Recipe

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Little Caesars Deep Dish Detroit-Style Pizza Copycat Recipe


Copycat Little Caesars Detroit-style deep dish pepperoni pizza in a pan with thick crust, melted cheese pull, and crispy edges.
That first bite brings buttery crust, browned cheesy corners, and rich tomato sauce in every slice of this homemade Little Caesars deep dish copycat.

If you love that thick, cheesy, crispy-edged pizza from Little Caesars, you are in the right place. This copycat Little Caesars Deep Dish Detroit-Style Pizza recipe is made for home cooks who want that buttery crust, gooey cheese, rich sauce, and golden corners without leaving the house.

The best part? You do not need to be a pizza expert to make it. I am going to walk you through it step by step in a simple way. If you can stir, stretch, and bake, you can make this.

This recipe is perfect for pizza night, game day, family dinner, or anytime you want a pan pizza that feels extra special. And honestly, there is something so satisfying about hearing that crispy crust crackle when you lift a slice from the pan.

Why This Little Caesars Deep Dish Pizza Is So Popular

Little Caesars has been a familiar pizza name in the USA for decades. It built a big following with convenient, budget-friendly pizza and its well-known Hot-N-Ready model. For many families, it is the kind of pizza that shows up on busy weeknights, after school events, and casual Friday nights at home.

Their deep dish pizza is especially loved because it taps into the magic of Detroit-style pizza. This style is known for its thick yet airy crust, crisp cheese edges, and rectangular shape. It bakes in a pan so the outside gets beautifully golden and the inside stays soft and chewy. Then comes the sauce on top, which gives each bite a bold tomato kick.

What makes it iconic? It is all about contrast. You get:

  • Crispy edges from cheese melting against the pan
  • Fluffy interior with a tender bite
  • Rich tomato sauce layered over the cheese
  • Buttery flavor in the crust
  • Melty cheese pulls that make every slice feel comforting

This recipe is inspired by Little Caesars deep dish pizza and is not the restaurant’s actual recipe. Still, it gives you that same cozy, craveable feel at home.

What Is Detroit-Style Pizza?

If you have never made Detroit-style pizza before, think of it like the best parts of pan pizza and focaccia meeting in one pan. It is thick, but not heavy. Crispy, but not dry. Cheesy, but balanced by bright tomato sauce.

Unlike a round hand-tossed pizza, this one is baked in a rectangular pan. The dough rises as it bakes, and cheese is spread all the way to the edges. That edge cheese is the secret. As it bakes, it turns brown and crisp, almost like the cheesy corner pieces of a baked pasta dish. If you know, you know.

Why You Will Love This Copycat Recipe

  • Uses simple grocery store ingredients
  • Designed for home kitchens
  • Gives you that crispy crust and cheesy edge
  • Great for beginners
  • Easy to customize with your favorite toppings

I also love that this recipe feels impressive without being hard. The dough does most of the work while it rises, and the pan helps create that signature shape and texture.

Ingredients

Serves: 8 slices
Prep time: 25 minutes active time
Rise time: 1 1/2 to 2 hours
Cook time: 15 to 20 minutes
Total time: About 2 1/2 hours

For the dough:

  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast, 1 packet
  • 1 cup warm water, about 105°F to 110°F
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons softened butter for greasing the pan and adding flavor

For the sauce:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can, 15 ounces, tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

For the pizza:

  • 12 ounces mozzarella cheese, cubed or shredded
  • 4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded, optional but great for extra melt
  • 20 to 24 slices pepperoni
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for the pan if needed

Optional topping ideas:

  • Cooked Italian sausage
  • Diced green peppers
  • Sliced black olives
  • Thin sliced onions
  • Crushed red pepper flakes

Approximate Nutrition Per Serving

Based on 8 slices, with pepperoni.

  • Calories: 340
  • Protein: 15g
  • Carbohydrates: 29g
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 640mg

These numbers are estimates and will change based on your cheese, toppings, and sauce amount.

Best Pan for Detroit-Style Pizza

If you have a Detroit-style pizza pan, great. If not, do not worry. A 9x13-inch metal baking pan works very well for this recipe. That is what many home cooks use.

Try to avoid glass if possible, since metal helps the crust brown better. A dark metal pan often gives you the best crispy bottom. It is a little like making brownies in the right pan. Same batter, different result.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Wake up the yeast

In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. It should start to look foamy on top. That means the yeast is active and ready to go.

If nothing happens, your water may have been too hot or too cool, or the yeast may be old. It is better to catch that now than after mixing all the dough.

Step 2: Make the dough

Add the flour, salt, and olive oil to the bowl. Stir with a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula until a shaggy dough forms. Then knead it for about 5 to 7 minutes by hand, or 4 to 5 minutes in a stand mixer with a dough hook, until the dough looks smooth and stretchy.

The dough should feel soft and a little tacky, but not soupy. If it is sticking badly to your hands, add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time. Go slowly here. Too much flour can make the crust dense.

Step 3: Let the dough rise

Lightly oil a clean bowl and place the dough inside. Cover it with a clean towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled in size.

I like to place mine in the oven with the light on. It creates a cozy little warm spot without getting hot.

Step 4: Make the sauce

While the dough rises, make the sauce. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Do not let it brown.

Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, onion powder, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir well. Let the sauce simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring now and then, until slightly thickened.

Take it off the heat and let it cool a bit. A thicker sauce works better here because you want those classic lines or dollops of sauce on top, not a watery layer.

Step 5: Prepare the pan

Generously grease a 9x13-inch metal baking pan with the softened butter. Get the bottom, corners, and sides well coated. If you want extra insurance against sticking, add a light drizzle of olive oil too.

This buttered pan helps give the crust that rich flavor and golden fried edge that makes deep dish pizza so good.

Step 6: Stretch the dough into the pan

Place the risen dough into the prepared pan. Gently press and stretch it toward the corners. If it keeps springing back, let it rest for 10 minutes, then try again. Dough can be stubborn at first, but it relaxes if you give it a minute.

Once it reaches close to the edges, cover the pan and let the dough rest for another 20 to 30 minutes. This second rise helps create that airy texture.

Step 7: Preheat the oven

Preheat your oven to 475°F. If your oven runs hot, 450°F may work better, but 475°F usually gives the best caramelized edges.

Step 8: Add the cheese

Spread the mozzarella and Monterey Jack evenly over the dough, making sure some cheese touches the edges of the pan. This is one of the most important parts of a Detroit-style pizza copycat recipe. That edge cheese crisps up and creates those deeply golden, lacy sides.

Step 9: Add the pepperoni

Place the pepperoni slices over the cheese. You can tuck some under the cheese too if you like little flavor pockets throughout the pizza.

If you use sausage or other meat toppings, make sure they are fully cooked before adding them. For food safety, ground sausage should reach 160°F, and poultry toppings should reach 165°F.

Step 10: Spoon the sauce on top

Dollop or stripe the sauce over the top of the pizza. Do not cover every inch. You want pockets of cheese to still peek through. That classic top-sauced look is part of what makes this style special.

Step 11: Bake the pizza

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling, the edges are dark golden brown, and the crust is cooked through. The bottom should be crisp and sturdy.

If you have an instant-read thermometer, the center of the baked dough should reach at least 190°F to 200°F for a fully baked interior.

Step 12: Rest, loosen, and slice

Let the pizza rest in the pan for 5 minutes. Then run a spatula or butter knife around the edges to loosen the crispy cheese. Carefully lift the pizza out and transfer it to a cutting board if you can. Slice into 8 pieces and serve warm.

That first slice is always the best. The cheese stretches, the corners crunch, and the sauce smells rich and herby. It is hard to beat.

Tips for the Best Copycat Little Caesars Deep Dish Pizza

  • Do not skimp on pan grease. It helps create the crisp crust.
  • Let the dough rest if it resists stretching. This makes shaping easier.
  • Push cheese to the edges. That is where the magic happens.
  • Use a hot oven. High heat gives better browning and texture.
  • Cool the sauce slightly before using. It keeps the dough from getting weighed down.

Easy Time-Saving Options for Home Cooks

Want to make this deep dish Detroit-style pizza recipe even easier? Here are a few shortcuts that still give you great results.

  • Use store-bought pizza dough: Let it come to room temperature before stretching it into the pan.
  • Use jarred pizza sauce: Choose a thicker one and add a pinch of oregano and garlic powder for a homemade feel.
  • Use pre-shredded cheese: Freshly shredded melts a bit better, but pre-shredded is totally fine for busy nights.
  • Make the sauce ahead: It keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days.

If you are really in a rush, this recipe can even work as a sheet pan pizza shortcut with premade dough. It may not be exactly the same, but it still hits that cheesy, saucy comfort-food note.

Allergy-Friendly and Diet Preference Modifications

One thing I always appreciate in a recipe is flexibility. Pizza night should work for as many people as possible, so here are ways to adapt this recipe for different needs.

Gluten-free option

  • Use your favorite gluten-free pizza dough made for pan pizza.
  • Make sure your sauce, pepperoni, and seasonings are certified gluten-free if needed.
  • Gluten-free doughs can be softer, so oil the pan well and use damp hands to press the dough in place.

Dairy-free option

  • Use dairy-free mozzarella-style shreds.
  • Swap the butter in the pan for olive oil or dairy-free butter.
  • Choose a dairy-free pepperoni if needed, since some brands can contain milk ingredients.
  • Watch closely while baking because dairy-free cheese may brown differently.

Vegan option

  • Use vegan pizza dough, which is easy since many basic dough recipes already are naturally vegan.
  • Use plant-based mozzarella and vegan pepperoni or sausage.
  • Swap butter for olive oil or vegan butter.
  • Add mushrooms, onions, peppers, and olives for more savory flavor.

Lower-fat option

  • Use part-skim mozzarella.
  • Reduce the cheese slightly and load up on veggie toppings.
  • Use turkey pepperoni in place of regular pepperoni.

Lower-carb idea

  • Use a prepared low-carb pizza crust that is designed for baking in a pan.
  • Top with cheese, sauce, and pepperoni as written.
  • Keep in mind the texture will be different from classic Detroit-style dough.

Paleo note

  • A true Detroit-style pizza is not naturally paleo because of the flour and cheese.
  • For a paleo-inspired version, use a grain-free crust, dairy-free cheese alternative if desired, and a clean-ingredient tomato sauce.
  • Top with cooked sausage, veggies, and fresh herbs for extra flavor.

Egg-free option

  • This recipe is naturally egg-free as written, but always double-check packaged ingredients like dough, cheese, and pepperoni.

Nut-free option

  • The recipe is generally nut-free, but check labels on dairy-free cheese or specialty crusts because those can sometimes include nuts.

Serving Ideas

This Little Caesars pizza copycat recipe is filling on its own, but it pairs really well with simple sides.

  • Caesar salad
  • Garlic bread
  • Roasted broccoli
  • Buffalo wings
  • Crunchy celery and carrot sticks

If you are feeding a crowd, add a dipping sauce on the side like ranch, garlic butter, or extra warmed pizza sauce.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

If you have leftovers, let the pizza cool before storing.

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