Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza

Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza

Recipe 

Servings: 4 (Makes one 12-14 inch pizza or two smaller pizzas)

Preparation Time: 15 minutes (mixing and kneading) + 1 hour (dough rising)

Cooking Time: 12-15 minutes (baking)


Ingredients 

For the dough 

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour 

  • 1 tsp sugar 

  • 1 tsp salt 

  • 1 tbsp olive oil 

  • 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast 

  • 1 cup warm water 

For the toppings 

  • 1/2 cup pizza sauce 

  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided) 

  • 1/2 cup cheddar cheese (optional) 

  • Toppings of choice (pepperoni, vegetables, mushrooms, etc.) 

For the stuffed crust 

  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese sticks (cut into strips or use pre-cut string cheese) 

Equipment Needed 

  • Large mixing bowl 

  • Rolling pin 

  • Baking sheet or pizza stone 

  • Parchment paper 

  • Brush for applying olive oil 

Prepare the dough 

  • In a bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water with sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy. 

  • Combine flour, salt, and olive oil. Gradually mix in the yeast mixture to form a soft dough. Knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth. Cover and let it rise for 1 hour. 

Preheat the oven 

  • Set the oven to 220°C (425°F) and place a pizza stone inside if using. 

Roll out the dough 

  • Roll the dough into a 12-inch circle. Place it on parchment paper or a lightly oiled baking sheet. 

Stuff the crust 

  • Lay the mozzarella sticks around the edge of the circle. Gently fold the edges of the dough over the cheese sticks and press to seal. 

Add toppings 

  • Spread pizza sauce over the base. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese, add your chosen toppings, and finish with the remaining cheese. 

Bake the pizza 

  • Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. 

Tips 

  • Use pre-made dough or pizza sauce for a quicker version. 

  • Brush the crust with garlic butter before baking for an extra burst of flavor. 

  • Experiment with stuffing the crust with other ingredients like jalapeños or bacon bits. 

  • Let the pizza cool for a couple of minutes before cutting to prevent the cheese from oozing out.