Ultimate Cheesy Stuffed Crust Pizza
A homemade stuffed crust pizza recipe featuring a crispy crust filled with gooey mozzarella cheese, topped with tomato sauce and your favorite toppings. Perfect for busy weeknights and family gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes (including rising time)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (420g)
- 1 ¼ cups warm water (about 110°F / 43°C)
- 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 mozzarella string cheese sticks (or 2 cups shredded mozzarella, about 200g)
- 3 tablespoons garlic butter (softened butter mixed with 1 minced garlic clove and a pinch of parsley)
- 1 cup tomato pizza sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (200g)
- Optional toppings: pepperoni, sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a small bowl, stir warm water and sugar, then sprinkle yeast on top. Let sit 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Add yeast mixture and olive oil. Stir until shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Turn dough onto floured surface and knead 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic (or 6-7 minutes with stand mixer).
- First rise: Place dough in lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in warm spot 1 to 1 ½ hours until doubled.
- Prepare cheese sticks: Unwrap mozzarella string cheeses or have shredded cheese ready.
- Shape the dough: Punch down dough, roll out into 12-inch circle, leaving thicker edges for stuffing.
- Form stuffed crust: Arrange mozzarella sticks about 1 inch from edge, fold dough over cheese, and press to seal.
- Add sauce and toppings: Spread tomato sauce inside crust ring, sprinkle shredded mozzarella, add desired toppings.
- Optional final rise: Let pizza rest uncovered 10-15 minutes for puffier crust.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C). Bake pizza on preheated stone or baking sheet 12-15 minutes until crust is golden and cheese bubbly.
- Brush crust with garlic butter immediately after baking.
- Slice and serve warm.
Notes
Ensure to fold and pinch the dough firmly over the cheese to prevent leaks. Preheat your baking surface for a crispier crust. Brush garlic butter immediately after baking for extra flavor. Leftovers reheat best in a skillet or toaster oven to keep crust crisp. Can be adapted for gluten-free or vegan diets by substituting ingredients.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of pizz
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 15
Keywords: stuffed crust pizza, homemade pizza, cheesy pizza, mozzarella pizza, easy pizza recipe, family dinner, comfort food