Stuffed Crust Pizza Recipe
This is not your average pizza night. Stuffed Crust Pizza is the over-the-top, cheese-lover’s dream that turns a regular dinner into a downright event. Imagine biting into that golden, bubbly crust only to find it filled with gooey, melted cheese it’s like a pizza party within a pizza party. And the best part? You can make it right at home, with no delivery box in sight.
Whether you’re pulling this out for a Friday night treat, a fun date night in, or just because you deserve it (you really do), this pizza is the kind of dish that makes everyone light up. It’s fun to make, satisfying to eat, and totally customizable. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll never look at plain crust the same way again.
Why You’ll Love Stuffed Crust Pizza
This recipe isn’t just about the ingredients it’s about creating moments. Whether you’re cooking for a casual family dinner, hosting a get-together with friends, or simply indulging in some comforting flavors for yourself, this dish is versatile enough to fit the occasion. Here’s why it’s a favorite:
Versatile: Add whatever toppings your heart desires pepperoni, veggies, pineapple (yes, we said it). The crust is just the beginning.
Budget-Friendly: Making it at home saves you money compared to delivery, and tastes even better.
Quick and Easy: The dough and cheese do the work assembly is surprisingly simple.
Customizable: Make it spicy, meaty, veggie-packed, or all of the above. Even the stuffed crust can be customized with herbs or sauces.
Crowd-Pleasing: A guaranteed hit with both kids and adults. It’s always a win when a single dish can satisfy everyone at the table. This recipe strikes the perfect balance of flavor and comfort, making it a universal favorite.
Ingredients in Stuffed Crust Pizza
This pizza is all about bold flavor and indulgent bites and it starts with some simple, delicious components:
Pizza Dough: Store-bought or homemade, this is your canvas. Make sure it’s soft, elastic, and easy to shape.
Mozzarella Cheese Sticks or Shredded Mozzarella: The magic inside the crust. Cheese sticks make stuffing super easy, but shredded works too.
Pizza Sauce: Tangy, rich, and spiced just right. You can use jarred or whip up a quick homemade version.
Shredded Mozzarella (for topping): The melt factor. You want it gooey and golden on top.
Toppings of Choice: Pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, olives, peppers you do you!
Olive Oil and Garlic Powder (optional): Brushed on the crust for extra flavor and a golden finish.
Dried Oregano or Basil (optional): Adds a pop of herby goodness on top.

Instructions
Let’s dive into the steps to create this flavorful masterpiece:
Preheat Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 475°F (245°C). If you have a pizza stone or steel, place it in now so it gets hot too.
Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out your dough into a large circle or rectangle, about 1 inch larger than your pizza pan or stone.
Prepare the Stuffed Crust: Lay cheese sticks or a thick line of shredded mozzarella around the outer edge of the dough. Fold the dough over the cheese and press to seal. Don’t worry if it looks rustic it’s homemade!
Transfer to Your Pizza Pan: Carefully move the dough onto a parchment-lined pizza pan or hot stone.
Add Sauce and Toppings: Spread a generous layer of pizza sauce over the center, then sprinkle on your shredded mozzarella and desired toppings.
Brush the Crust (optional): Mix olive oil with garlic powder and brush it over the folded crust for a buttery, golden finish. Sprinkle with herbs if you like.
Cook to Perfection: Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling and browned in spots.
Cool Slightly: Let the pizza rest for a couple minutes before slicing—this helps everything settle and makes slicing easier.
Serve and Enjoy: Slice it up and watch that stuffed crust cheese pull! Serve hot and devour every bite.
Nutrition Facts:
Servings: 8 slices
Calories per serving: 320 (varies with toppings)
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
How to Serve Stuffed Crust Pizza
This dish pairs wonderfully with various sides and accompaniments. Here are a few serving suggestions to enhance your dining experience:
- A crisp Caesar salad or simple garden salad for balance.
- Garlic breadsticks or cheesy bread for extra indulgence.
- Marinara or ranch dip on the side for dunking that cheesy crust.
- A chilled soda or sparkling lemonade to wash it all down.
- Movie night, game night, or any night this pizza fits the vibe.
Additional Tips
Here are some extra tips to help you get the most out of this recipe:
- Use block mozzarella cut into sticks for a fuller cheese pull.
- Don’t overdo the sauce it can make the crust soggy.
- Preheat your baking surface for a crispier bottom crust.
- Let the dough rest at room temp for 20–30 minutes before rolling it’ll stretch more easily.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or chili oil for a little kick.
FAQ’s
1. Can I use store-bought dough for this recipe?
Yes! Store-bought dough works great just let it rest before rolling it out.
2. What’s the best cheese to stuff the crust with?
Mozzarella string cheese is ideal, but you can also use shredded mozzarella or a blend.
3. Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prep the dough and cheese ahead, but assemble and bake just before serving for best results.
4. How do I keep the cheese from leaking out?
Seal the dough tightly around the cheese and pinch well no shortcuts here!
5. Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes, just use a gluten-free pizza dough that’s pliable enough to fold.
6. Can I freeze stuffed crust pizza?
Yes, you can freeze it before baking. Wrap tightly and bake from frozen, adding extra time.
7. What toppings go best with stuffed crust?
Anything cheesy or savory pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, or a classic margherita.
8. How can I reheat leftovers?
Use the oven or air fryer to bring back that crispiness avoid the microwave if you can.
9. Is this kid-friendly?
Absolutely kids love the stuffed crust surprise!
10. Can I stuff the crust with other things?
Yes! Try adding a bit of garlic butter, herbs, or even cooked bacon along with the cheese.
Conclusion
Stuffed Crust Pizza is everything we love about comfort food melty, cheesy, golden, and just plain fun. It’s the kind of recipe that makes dinner feel like a celebration, and once you master it, you’ll want to make it again and again. Whether you’re keeping it classic or going wild with toppings, this homemade version totally beats delivery. Go ahead treat yourself to that cheese-stuffed glory!
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Stuffed Crust Pizza Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour rising)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 1 large pizza (8 slices) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Stuffed Crust Pizza is a delicious twist on classic pizza, featuring a golden crust filled with gooey melted cheese. Perfect for cheese lovers and a fun homemade dinner option.
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F/45°C)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 8 string cheese sticks or 2 cups shredded mozzarella (for stuffing crust)
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Your choice of toppings (pepperoni, vegetables, etc.)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add flour, salt, and olive oil. Mix and knead for about 8 minutes until a smooth dough forms. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C). Roll dough into a 14-inch circle and place on a greased pizza pan or baking sheet.
- Arrange string cheese or shredded cheese around the edge of the dough. Fold the edges over the cheese and pinch to seal.
- Spread pizza sauce over the dough. Add mozzarella and your favorite toppings.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Let cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Brush crust with garlic butter before baking for extra flavor.
- Use part-skim mozzarella to reduce fat.
- You can make the dough ahead and freeze it.
- Stuffed crust works best with thicker dough for easier sealing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: stuffed crust, pizza, cheese crust, homemade pizza, mozzarella, pizza recipe