Night 4: Stuffed Crust Cheese Pizza

 

Total time: 75 minutes

Active Time: 30 minutes

Makes: 1, 8-10 inch pizza

The only thing better than pizza... is stuffed crust pizza! Skip the delivery and make a homemade stuffed crust pizza, filled with gooey cheese, and topped with your favorite toppings. String cheese is the secret ingredient in this recipe. It keeps its shape and gets those drool-worthy “cheese-pulls” that will make this an instant family favorite!

Equipment

  • 8-10 inch round pan or pizza stone

  • Pastry brush

Ingredients

  • 10oz pizza dough (¾lb), store bought (or your favorite homemade recipe)

  • Olive oil

  • 2 tbsp cornmeal

  • Flour, for dusting

  • 5-6 mozzarella cheese strings, unwrapped, cut into thirds

  • ¼ cup tomato sauce

  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 1 tsp sesame seeds

  • Basil, to garnish

Preparation:

  1. Add the pizza dough to a large bowl coated with olive oil. Cover with a damp cloth, and let come to room temperature, about 30 minutes. 

  2. Preheat the oven to 450°F.

  3. Lightly oil the pizza pan, and sprinkle with cornmeal. 

  4. Place the pizza dough in the middle of the pan, and working from the middle of the dough, use your fingers to press it outwards to the corners of the pan. 

  5. Stretch the edge of the dough to slightly overhang the pan approximately ¾ inch. Arrange the string cheese around the crust, folding the crust tightly around the cheese, pinching to seal.

  6. Spread tomato sauce in the center of the dough, and top with cheese.

  7. Brush the crust with olive oil, and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

  8. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbling and the crust is golden.

  9. Top with fresh basil.

  10. Enjoy!

Notes

  • Can’t find pizza dough? Use your favorite homemade pizza dough recipe.

  • Top your pizza with your favorite vegetables or cheese, and get your kids in the kitchen to decorate their own pizza!