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Close-up of a freshly baked stuffed crust pizza with sausage, tomatoes, black olives, and melted cheese

Homemade Stuffed Crust Pizza

Perfect for family pizza night or a fun weekend cooking project, this customizable pizza shines with meats, veggies, or can be kept classic with just cheese. Pair it with garlic dipping sauce, a fresh Caesar salad, or buffalo wings for a truly satisfying feast.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 8 slices
Calories 360 kcal

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Rolling pin
  • 12-inch pizza pan or baking stone
  • Oven
  • Sharp knife or pizza cutter
  • Pastry brush optional, for crust brushing
  • Use a cast iron skillet for a deep-dish style version Alternative

Ingredients
  

Dough:

  • 2 ¼  tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast
  • 1 ½ cups  warm water (110°F / 45°C)
  • 1 tbsp  sugar
  • 3 ½ cups  all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp  salt
  • 2 tbsp  olive oil

Stuffed Crust:

  • 8 mozzarella string cheese sticks or ~8 oz of mozzarella cut into strips

Pizza:

  • ½ cup  pizza sauce
  • 1 ½ cups  shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup  sliced pepperoni or toppings of choice
  • 1 tsp  Italian seasoning optional

Crust Brushing (optional):

  • 1 tbsp  melted butter
  • ½ tsp  garlic powder
  • 1 tsp  dried parsley

Instructions
 

  • Activate the Yeast:
    In a large bowl, dissolve sugar in warm water, then sprinkle yeast on top. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
    Make the Dough:
    Add olive oil, salt, and flour gradually into the yeast mixture. Stir until combined, then knead on a floured surface for 8–10 minutes until smooth.
    Yeast mixture being poured into a bowl of pizza dough batter
  • Let it Rise:
    Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let it rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
    Preheat Oven:
    Preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C). Place your pizza pan or stone inside to heat up if desired.
    Risen pizza dough in a stainless steel bowl after proofing
  • Shape the Dough:
    Roll out the dough into a 14-inch circle. Place it on parchment or your pizza pan.
    Stuff the Crust:
    Lay string cheese around the edge of the dough. Fold the edges over the cheese and press to seal all around.
  • Add Toppings:
    Spread pizza sauce evenly over the base, sprinkle with shredded mozzarella, add your toppings, and finish with a dash of Italian seasoning.
    Bake:
    Bake for 12–15 minutes or until crust is golden and cheese is bubbling.
    Homemade pepperoni pizza with a golden crust and melted cheese
  • Optional Crust Brushing:
    Mix melted butter with garlic powder and parsley. Brush over crust immediately after baking.
    Slice & Serve:
    Let rest 5 minutes, slice into 8 pieces, and enjoy!
    Freshly baked pepperoni pizza with stuffed, twisted cheese crust on a wooden board

Video

Notes

Cooking Tips:
  • For an extra-crispy crust, pre-bake the dough for 3–4 minutes before adding toppings.
  • Don’t overfill the crust—too much cheese can cause it to burst during baking.
  • Use pre-shredded cheese blends or fresh mozzarella depending on your preferred melt and flavor.
  • Want a healthier crust? Substitute half of the flour with whole wheat flour.
  • Try different crust stuffings like cheddar, jalapeño, or even pepperoni slices for a fun twist.
Nutrient Amount
Calories 360 kcal
Carbohydrates 38g
Protein 15g
Fat 16g
Serving Size ~150g
Saturated Fat 6g
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 5g
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 35mg
Sodium 620mg
Potassium 220mg
Fiber 2g
Sugar 3g
Vitamin A 450 IU
Vitamin C 2mg
Calcium 220mg
Iron 2.1mg
Keyword Comfort, Homemade Pizza, Italian, Vegetarian Option