We love pizza night at our house. And the kids love to make their own, since they all like different toppings they love it when we make individual pizza’s, but sometimes we just don’t have time for that. But to make a fun change, no matter what the toppings are, we sometimes make stuffed crust! It’s super easy and tastes great!
I know a lot of people prefer using full string cheese sticks, but personally I don’t love that much cheese in my crust. So we cut the string cheese in half lengthwise. Brush the outside inch or so with water, then place the half string cheese around the outside of the crust. Wrap the crust around the cheese pressing the wet edge, making sure to seal it so the cheese doesn’t break through.
Then add your toppings and bake according to your pizza dough instructions. This time I tried a new recipe, Chicken Fajita pizza (a guest post over at cupcake diaries, check it out, it’s seriously SO good!) It was a HUGE hit with my husband, I think he ate an entire pizza himself! It has great, unexpected, flavor that just really hit the spot!
When you take it out of the oven you can cut and serve right away (that will give you the runny cheese in the crust) or let it cool a bit. It’s easier to handle but the string cheese in the crust does get firm quickly (like mozzarella sticks tend to do) it’s delicious both ways! Notice it’s not too full? that’s the half a string cheese, if you use a FULL string cheese in the crust you’ll end up with a HUGE crust/amt of cheese. So if you love mozzarella crust go for it!
This stuffed crust pizza works with any pizza you want. My kids love it with basic cheese or pepperoni, and I enjoy it with my Chicken Alfredo pizza too! And don’t forget to check out the Chicken Fajita pizza recipe I have over at Cupcake Diaries today! What are your favorite pizza toppings? I’m always looking for new toppings to mix pizza night up!
Stuffed crust pizza
Ingredients
- 2 C warm water
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp active dry yeast
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 4+ C bread flour
- 2 tsp salt
- 8 string cheese cut in half lengthwise
Instructions
- Add the yeast, sugar, and warm water to a mixing bowl with a dough hook and let bloom for 5-10 mins
- Add the olive oil and blend
- add 3 C of the bread flour and mix until smooth
- add 1/4 C of flour at a time and mix until the dough has cleaned the sides of the bowl – it will be different depending on the altitude and humidity – it’s about getting the right feel – don’t add too much flour!
- knead another 5 mins in the mixer or by hand
- Cover your mixer bowl and let the dough rise for 1 1/2 hours (or if hand kneading add the dough to a greased bowl and cover)
- Knock down your dough and pull out of the bowl
- divide into 2 and roll out two 14 inch rounds
- lay the cut cheese sticks around the edge of the crust, about 1/2 inch from the edge
- brush the outside edge of the crust with water and wrap the crust around the cheese and press to seal
- Place a pizza stone in the oven, preheat to 425
- Prick the dough
- Top with your favorite sauce, toppings and cheese
- Bake 12 mins until the center is cooked through
Kara
This looks amazing! I love the idea of using half a stick of cheese. I made it before with the whole sticks, and we thought it was overwhelming. Don’t know why I didn’t think of it!
Ashlee
I’m just brilliant 😉 hahaha! let me know what you think next time you try it
Jane
This looks delicious! Thank you for sharing!
Ashlee
it is so good, and my kiddo’s love it! I like how soft it makes the crust!
Jilly B
Oh my goodness! How easy to make! Can’t wait to give this a try as all the family will love it, I actually feel a bit silly that I have never thought to try this myself when making pizza! My son will be so impressed! Thank you for sharing!
Ashlee
seriously so easy and my kids love it! I love how soft it makes the crust! Enjoy!
phil vennett
im always looking for something different to cook to suprize my wife I enjoy making homemade soups but this caught my eye since she loves pizza and stuffed crust wow its going to be a definite hit thanx ashlee!
Ashlee
you are so welcome! my kids love making this
Laurie Leuze
We are doing this as I write and I am so excited. I have never actually both a stuffed crust pizza, but i am looking forward to the result. I don’t think I have to say anymore because I know it will be delicious. Thanks for your insight. I am so excited now, I have to go finish my pizza. Thank you, for your insight…..you rock my pizza world.
Laurie Leuze
Ashlee
I hope you enjoyed it as much as we do! some people like using the full string cheese – but we liked the half stick better
Judy
We’re inconveniently located from everything and I’m really tired of the hut. This pizza looks fantastic and isn’t heavy on spices, good for delicate tummies. Thanks for sharing!!
Ashlee
you are so very welcome!
Joann Corbin
Making this tonight for my love…we cant take red tomato sauce…no sauce just cheese and toppings…wish me luck…thanks…
Ashlee Marie
you can also do alfredo pizza, white sauce not red https://ashleemarie.com/alfredo-chicken-pizza-recipe/
Denise Anderson
Do you have a good recipe for a basic tomato sauce for pizza? I’ve been trying to find one on your site, but haven ‘t been able to find one yet.
Please advise.
Thank you very much!
Denise
Ashlee Marie
honestly I use this powder with tomato sauce – it sounds simple but it’s seriously amazing! https://fasteasybread.com/product/pizza-pasta-seasoning/