Stuffed-Crust Pizza:

When it comes to comfort food, you can’t go wrong with pizza. This cult favorite has a special place in the hearts (and stomachs) of many. In fact, its following is so loyal that you can find shirts, jewelry, and socks adorned with pizza patterns. And thanks to its popularity, finding a cheesy slice when the craving hits is easy. What’s the only thing better than a tasty pie? One with a stuffed crust. Yum.

While there is nothing wrong with a regular crust, there’s something special about the stuffed kind. In general, pizza is versatile to begin with. It can be personalized with your favorite fixings and ingredients. Stuffing the crust is an excellent way to take it up a notch, bringing in even more flavors and goodies. It also paves the way for awesome combinations of toppings and stuffings. It’s enough to make any foodie swoon.

As with most dishes, making your own pizza gives you ample room for customizations. This is where homemade stuffed crust pizza comes in. While a DIY version might seem intimidating, it’s surprisingly easy to make. It’s not far off from making a normal pizza, either. All it takes is a few extra steps and a little creativity. To get started, check out this guide to making your own stuffed crust pizza. Get ready – your taste buds are in for a real treat.

How to Make a Basic Pizza Crust

For a no-fuss option, use pre-made pizza dough to make a basic stuffed crust. It’s fool-proof and easy. Simply follow the instructions below to stuff the edges. If you’re the adventurous type, making your own is quite simple – we promise. Here’s the breakdown.

Pizza Crust Recipe

Pre-heat your oven to 450°F. In a large bowl, combine one envelope (.25 ounce) of active dry yeast with 1 teaspoon of white sugar in ¾ cup of warm water. Let sit for 10 minutes until it becomes opaque and creamy. Next, add 2 cups of all-purpose or bread flour, ¾ teaspoon of salt, and 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Stir until the consistency is smooth. Leave for 5 minutes. With floured hands, mold and pat the dough into a round, flat shape. Place on a lightly greased pizza pan or stone.

Now, here’s the fun part. To make a stuffed crust, add the fillings around the perimeter. You can use anything from cheese to a delicious medley of ingredients. Make sure there is space between the mixture and the outer edge of the crust. Fold over the dough’s edge to completely cover the filling.

Once the sauce and toppings are added, the pizza is ready to bake. Pop it in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.

Adapted from Epicurious.com and All Recipes.

Ideas for Stuffed Crust Fillings

While you can’t go wrong with a cheese stuffing, don’t limit yourself. Take it up a notch with one of these drool-worthy fillings. Combine the ingredients and add to the edge of the pizza dough. The hardest part will be choosing which one to try first.

Herby Cheese

Combine spices, herbs, and cubes of assorted cheeses such as Monterey, cheddar, and pepperjack.

Spinach Dip

Mix ½ package of frozen spinach (thawed and drained), 1 cup of sour cream, ¼ cup of shredded Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Salsa Con Queso

Mix 6 ounces of chunky salsa and 8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese in a sauce pan and heat over medium heat until cheese is completely melted.

French Onion “Soup”

Slice 1 small onion and sauté in butter. Toss with 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce and a sprinkling of salt and pepper.

Crust and Topping Combination Ideas

The stuffed crust is just half the fun. Spice up your homemade pizza even further by adding a complimentary topping. Need some inspiration? Each of these clever pairings has the potential for a serious burst of flavor.

Herb Delight

• Crust Filling: Herby cheese
• Topping: Tomato sauce or pesto, arugula, fresh herbs, sliced mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and a drizzling of olive oil and balsamic vinegar

American Appetizer

• Crust Filling: Spinach dip
• Topping: BBQ sauce, chunks of boneless BBQ chicken, gorgonzola, red onion

Mexican

• Crust Filling: Salsa con queso
• Topping: Tomato sauce, taco meat, tomatoes, cheddar cheese, avocado

French Onion

• Crust Filling: French onion dip
• Topping: Tomato sauce, mozzarella, thinly sliced roast beef (optional) or potatoes, mushrooms

Buffalo Chicken

• Crust Filling: Bleu cheese chunks
• Topping: Tomato sauce, boneless buffalo chicken, mozzarella cheese

Hawaiian

• Crust Filling: Ham chunks
• Topping: Tomato sauce, pineapple chunks, figs, gorgonzola

Greek

• Crust Filling: Feta and olives
• Topping: Pesto or hummus, caramelized onions, mushrooms, spinach

Italian

• Crust Filling: Prosciutto
• Topping: Tomato sauce, arugula, sliced pear, mozzarella

As always, feel free to adjust these ideas according to your preferences, allergies, and dietary restrictions. Don’t be afraid to experiment, too. Play around with your favorite ingredients for a scrumptious pie that’s all your own. For the best results, cook all your meat before adding it to the pizza so you won’t have to worry about adjusting baking times.

Now that you’re armed with this mouthwatering knowledge, you’re ready to make a stuffed crust pizza. Before you know it, you’ll be chowing down on a tasty slice (or three). Score!