Description
This recipe guides you through making a delicious stuffed crust pepperoni pizza from scratch, featuring a rich tomato sauce and melty mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups warm water (105-115°F)
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for greasing
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 8 ounces low-moisture mozzarella string cheese or fresh mozzarella, cut into ½-inch strips
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1 ½ cups shredded low-moisture mozzarella cheese
- 3 ounces sliced pepperoni
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes, until foamy.
- Stir in olive oil and salt. Gradually add flour, mixing until a shaggy dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
- Lightly grease a large bowl with olive oil. Place the dough in the bowl, turning to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1-1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C). Lightly grease a 12-inch round pizza pan or baking sheet.
- Punch down the risen dough. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 14-inch circle.
- Carefully transfer the dough to the prepared pizza pan. Arrange the mozzarella cheese strips around the edge of the dough, about 1 inch from the edge.
- Fold the edge of the dough over the cheese, pressing firmly to seal and create a stuffed crust.
- Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving the stuffed crust exposed.
- Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese, then arrange pepperoni slices over the cheese.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and dried oregano.
- Let cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Ensure your water temperature is correct for yeast activation.
- Do not overcrowd the pizza with toppings.
- Adjust baking time based on your oven.
- For a crispier crust, preheat a pizza stone in the oven.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: pizza, stuffed crust, pepperoni, cheese, homemade, Italian, comfort food