Description
This Stuffed Crust Pepperoni Pizza features a crispy crust stuffed with gooey mozzarella sticks, topped with a generous layer of mozzarella cheese, pepperoni slices, and a bold pizza sauce. Finished with a brush of olive oil or melted butter and optional seasonings, it delivers a deliciously melty and savory pizza experience perfect for any pizza lover.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pizza sauce
- 20 to 25 pieces of turkey or beef pepperoni
- 6 to 8 mozzarella cheese sticks
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 pound fresh pizza dough
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
Optional Seasonings
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F and place your pizza stone inside to heat up if using one. If not using a stone, lightly grease your baking sheet or pizza pan to prepare it for baking.
- Prepare the dough: Lightly dust your countertop with flour and roll out the fresh pizza dough into a 12-inch circle. Then transfer the rolled dough onto your greased baking sheet, pizza pan, or hot pizza stone.
- Stuff the crust: Arrange the mozzarella sticks along the edge of the dough, leaving about an inch space from the rim. Fold the dough edge up and over the cheese sticks, pinching it well to fully encase the cheese inside the crust.
- Add sauce and toppings: Spread the pizza sauce evenly in the center of the dough, avoiding the stuffed crust area. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then scatter pepperoni slices generously on top.
- Season and brush crust: Brush the stuffed crust with olive oil or melted butter using a pastry brush. For extra flavor, sprinkle garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and grated Parmesan cheese over the crust.
- Bake the pizza: Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the crust is golden, the cheese is melted, and the toppings are slightly browned on top.
- Rest and serve: Remove the pizza from the oven and let it rest on a cooling rack for about 5 minutes before slicing. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious stuffed crust pepperoni pizza.
Notes
- If using a pizza stone, preheat it before placing the pizza for a crispier crust.
- Make sure to pinch the dough well around the cheese sticks to prevent them from leaking during baking.
- Customize your pizza with additional toppings if desired, but avoid overloading to maintain even cooking.
- Letting the pizza rest after baking helps the cheese set slightly for easier slicing.
- Use turkey pepperoni for a leaner option or beef pepperoni for a traditional flavor.
