Transform an inexpensive frozen cheese pizza into a gourmet Detroit-style pie with homemade vodka sauce, extra mozzarella, and pepperoni, topped with crispy, cheesy edges.
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1
Start the vodka sauce by heating olive oil in a pot and sautéing diced onions until softened, about 3 minutes.
2
Add minced garlic and stir until fragrant.
3
Stir in tomato paste and let it cook for about 5 minutes to deepen the flavor, stirring occasionally to loosen the browned bits on the bottom.
4
Deglaze the pan with vodka, stirring to release the flavorful browned bits; be careful as flames may ignite, and remove from heat briefly if needed.
5
Add cream, red pepper flakes, and smoked paprika, stirring until smooth and well combined.
6
Season with salt and black pepper, then simmer for about 2 minutes to let the flavors meld. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
7
Preheat a square baking pan with oil in a 450°F oven for about 15 minutes.
8
Carefully place the thawed frozen pizza into the hot oiled pan, positioning it so the cheese will extend to the edges for the Detroit-style crispy border.
9
Spread the vodka sauce over the pizza.
10
Add extra mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
11
Top generously with pepperoni slices.
12
Bake at 450°F until the cheese is melted and bubbly with the pepperoni edges getting crispy, a few minutes.
13
Let the pizza cool for about 2 minutes to set the cheese and maintain the structural integrity before removing from the pan.
14
Carefully remove the pizza from the pan and transfer to a work surface, being gentle to preserve the crispy edges.
15
Slice into squares and serve, enjoying the crispy edges, abundant cheese, and flavorful vodka sauce.