Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza (Print View)

Stretchy mozzarella, crisp crust, zesty sauce, and pepperoni unite for crowd-pleasing flavor.

# Components:

→ Dough and Crust

01 - 1 lb pizza dough, store-bought or homemade
02 - 6 to 8 mozzarella string cheese sticks

→ Toppings

03 - 1/2 cup pizza sauce
04 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
05 - 20 to 25 slices pepperoni, beef or turkey

→ Finishing Touches

06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
07 - Optional: garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or grated Parmesan for seasoning

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. If using a pizza stone, place it in the oven to heat. Lightly grease a pizza pan or baking sheet if not using a stone.
02 - Roll pizza dough into a 12-inch circle on a lightly floured surface. Carefully transfer the dough to the prepared pan or hot stone.
03 - Place mozzarella string cheese sticks along the edge of the dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Fold the dough over the cheese and firmly press to seal, encasing the cheese in the crust.
04 - Spread pizza sauce evenly over the center, leaving the stuffed crust uncovered. Evenly distribute shredded mozzarella over the sauce, then arrange pepperoni slices across the cheese.
05 - Brush the stuffed crust with olive oil or melted butter. Sprinkle with optional garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or grated Parmesan if desired.
06 - Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly and lightly browned. Cool for 5 minutes before slicing.
07 - Slice and serve warm for best taste and texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Uses familiar ingredients you can find at any grocery store
  • Fun to make as a family activity especially for kids who love stuffing the crust
  • Ready to eat in just over thirty minutes from start to finish
  • Tastes even better than most delivery pizza for a fraction of the price
02 -
  • This recipe freezes beautifully for make-ahead meals
  • High in calcium thanks to all that mozzarella cheese
  • Customizable for picky eaters or bold flavor fans
03 -
  • Always pinch the dough tightly when sealing the stuffed crust so the cheese does not leak out during baking
  • Preheating a pizza stone makes for a crisper crust and slightly smoky bottom flavor
  • For extra richness brush the crust with melted butter mixed with a sprinkle of garlic powder and fresh parsley just before serving—it smells fantastic coming out of the oven

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