Homemade Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza

There’s something incredibly comforting about biting into a warm, gooey slice of pizza with a thick, cheese-filled crust. At Naava’s Nourishing Garden, we believe in homemade goodness, and this stuffed crust cheese pizza brings just that! Whether you’re making dinner for your family or hosting a pizza night, this easy-to-make recipe is sure to become a favorite. Best of all, it’s customizable—add your favorite toppings, and make it your own!

Pizza night is my daughter’s favorite. She loves helping me press out the dough, stuff the crust with cheese, and spread on the sauce. It’s a fun tradition that we both look forward to, especially when I whip up my homemade honey pineapple barbecue sauce and toss some wings in it for a sweet compliment to the pizza. That extra touch really brings our family pizza night to life, and I’ll be sharing that barbecue sauce recipe in a future blog post—stay tuned!

https://www.youtube.com/live/d76hp3LWEsU?si=Ag8Vq8cGYWv2vYkk

Making The Pizza Live on YouTube ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️

Makes: 2 (12-inch) pizzas or 1 (24-inch) pizza

Prep time: 20 minutes + 30 to 1hr rise time

Cook time: 15-45 minutes

Ingredients:

For the dough:

• 3 cups bread flour

• 1 tablespoon instant yeast

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 4 tablespoons to 1 stick room temperature butter (I prefer 1 stick). Oil works as well I sometimes do half of each. It

forgiving recipe.

• 1½ cup water

• 1 large log mozzarella cheese

• 2 extra tablespoons of room temperature butter (to rub on the crust after baking)

• Extra shredded cheese (optional for topping).

For the pizza sauce:

• 1 can of tomato paste

• 1 tablespoon water (add more if needed to reach your desired consistency)

• Your favorite pizza seasoning blend

• Pinch of salt

• 1 teaspoon oregano

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough:

In a large bowl, combine bread flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Mix well. Gradually add the water and butter, kneading the dough until it’s smooth and elastic. Let the dough rest for about 10-15 minutes to allow the yeast to work its magic.

2. Roll Out the Dough:

Divide the dough in half if you’re making two pizzas or roll it out as one large 24-inch pizza. Shape the dough into a circle or a a square (personally I press the dough out using my hands in the pan it’s relaxing) and carefully transfer it to a pizza pan or stone.

3. Stuff the Crust:

Slice a few pieces of the mozzarella log into thin strips. Gently fold the edges of the pizza dough over the mozzarella slices facing inward, pressing the dough to seal them in, creating a stuffed crust.

4. Make the Sauce:

In a small bowl, mix the tomato paste with a little water to loosen it. Add your choice of seasonings (oregano, salt, garlic, etc.) and stir well.

5. Build the Pizza:

Before adding the sauce, poke small holes into the crust using a fork—this will ensure even cooking. Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving the stuffed crust exposed.

6. Add Cheese (and toppings):

Top the sauce with remaining mozzarella circles add extra cheese if desired or any additional toppings you like—pepperoni, mushrooms, veggies, or just keep it classic with extra cheese.

7. Bake:

Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Bake the pizza for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the crust is golden brown. If making a cheese pizza lower the temperature to 400°F to 425°F for up to 45 minutes, adjust according to your stove.

8. Finishing Touch:

As soon as your pizza is out of the oven, brush the crust with the extra butter for an indulgent, buttery flavor. Slice and serve hot!

Naava’s Nourishing Garden Tip:

Get creative! Experiment with different cheeses or toppings like fresh basil, caramelized onions, or even a sprinkle of chili flakes for a little heat. This recipe is a great base to let your culinary creativity shine. Also I don’t precook my dough, I’ve tried it multiple times and it just doesn’t come out the same, but if you prefer it go for it I doesn’t ruin pizza the final product just doesn’t come out how we like our pizza. This dough freezes and thaws beautifully just a Tablespoon or 2 of oil to it before freezing (I usually use a ziplock bag) and let it sit out to thaw and cook as directed above.

We’d love to see your pizza creations! Share your homemade stuffed crust pizza on social media with #NaavasNourishingGarden , #NaavasKitchen or #NaavasCreations and tag us for a chance to be featured. Keep an eye out for my honey pineapple barbecue sauce recipe coming soon, perfect for tossing wings in and pairing with your pizza night! Happy pizza making!