Description
This homemade Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza features a golden, crispy crust wrapped around gooey mozzarella cheese sticks, topped with savory pizza sauce, melted shredded mozzarella, spicy pepperoni, and a flavorful blend of Italian seasonings and Parmesan cheese. Perfect for pizza lovers craving a cheesy twist and classic toppings baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm water (about 110°F)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Stuffed Crust and Toppings
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese sticks
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 20-25 slices of pepperoni
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and sugar. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes bubbly and creamy, indicating that the yeast is active and ready for use.
- Make the Dough: Add the all-purpose flour, salt, and olive oil to the yeast mixture. Stir until the dough begins to form, bringing the ingredients together into a rough ball.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead it for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and allow it to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat the Oven: While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 475°F (245°C) and grease a large pizza pan to prevent sticking.
- Shape the Dough: Punch down the risen dough to release excess air, then roll it out into a large circle slightly larger than your pizza pan to accommodate the stuffed crust.
- Create the Stuffed Crust: Arrange the mozzarella cheese sticks around the edge of the dough circle. Fold the outer edge of the dough over the cheese sticks and seal the edges well to form the stuffed crust.
- Add the Sauce: Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the base of the pizza using the back of a spoon, covering the unstuffed portion inside the crust.
- Add the Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the sauce, ensuring full coverage for a cheesy pizza top.
- Top with Pepperoni: Lay out the pepperoni slices evenly over the shredded cheese.
- Season the Pizza: Sprinkle the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top for enhanced flavor.
- Bake the Pizza: Place the pizza in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the crust turns golden brown and the cheese is bubbling and melted beautifully.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing. Serve warm for best enjoyment.
Notes
- Ensure the water used to activate the yeast is warm but not hot (around 110°F) to avoid killing the yeast.
- Sealing the stuffed crust edges tightly is crucial to prevent cheese from leaking out during baking.
- You can substitute mozzarella sticks with string cheese if needed.
- Adjust the amount of pepperoni according to your preference for spiciness and meatiness.
- Letting the pizza rest for a few minutes after baking helps the cheese set and makes slicing easier.
