Stuffed Crust Pizza

Author
Chef Leo Spizzirri
Prep Time
1 hours
Cook Time
10-12 minutes
Servings
4

Ingredients

  • Dough (American Traditional Dough)
  • 500g King Arthur Bread Flour
  • 325g water (room temperature)
  • 10g salt
  • 15g honey
  • 3g instant yeast
  • 10g olive oil
  • Stuffed Crust & Toppings
  • 8 mozzarella string cheese sticks (or block mozzarella cut to size)
  • 1/2 cup pizza sauce (see notes)
  • 1 cup whole milk mozzarella, cubed
  • 1/2 cup cooked Italian sausage, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup green bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
  • 1/3 cup pepperoni slices
  • Fresh basil leaves (optional)
  • Grated Parmesan or Parmigiano-Reggiano, to finish
  • Flour, for dusting

Directions

  1. Weigh all your ingredients using a digital scale and place each into separate bowls.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine the water and honey, then stir in half the flour and the salt using your fingers.
  3. Add the yeast and continue mixing, then add the remaining flour and stir until a paste forms.
  4. Add the olive oil and knead the dough on the countertop until it becomes smooth and elastic.
  5. Form into dough balls (about 290g each), shape them tightly, and store them in a covered container or dough box in the refrigerator until ready to use.
  6. Preheat your oven or pizza oven to 550–600°F (290–315°C).
  7. Lightly flour your work surface and stretch the dough gently into a round shape using your fingers.
  8. Arrange the string cheese around the edge of the dough, then fold the edge over the cheese and press to seal, forming a stuffed crust.
  9. Spread pizza sauce over the center of the dough, staying inside the crust line.
  10. Top with cubed mozzarella, cooked sausage, bell pepper, onion, olives, fresh basil, and pepperoni slices.
  11. Sprinkle grated Parmesan over the top of the pizza.
  12. Ensure the pizza is well-floured on the bottom so it doesn't stick when transferring.
  13. Bake the pizza for 10–12 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  14. Let the pizza rest for a couple of minutes before slicing to help keep the cheese inside the crust.
  15. Slice and serve hot. Enjoy the cheesy crust first!