Let’s be real: sometimes the best part of the pizza should be the crust. And when it’s stuffed with cheese, it absolutely is.

I started making this Cheese-Stuffed Crust Pizza for family movie nights when I wanted something fun and totally over-the-top. The result? A golden, bubbly pizza with an ooey-gooey cheesy edge that no one leaves behind. It's rich, it's stretchy, and yes — it's the kind of dinner you’ll crave even when you’re already full.

Ingredients

For the crust & base:

• 1 ball of pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella (for stuffing)

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

For the toppings:

• 1/2 cup pizza sauce

• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar (optional for color and flavor)

• 15–20 pepperoni slices (or your favorite toppings)

• Optional: red pepper flakes, oregano, parmesan

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 475°F (245°C)
   Line a pizza pan or baking sheet with parchment.

2. Prepare the dough
   Roll out the pizza dough into a large circle (about 12–14 inches). Place it on the pan.

3. Stuff the crust
   Line the edge of the dough with shredded mozzarella (or mozzarella sticks). Fold the edges over the cheese and press to seal all around.

4. Top your pizza
   Spread sauce over the center. Add shredded mozzarella, cheddar, and toppings of your choice.

5. Brush & season the crust
   Mix olive oil with garlic powder and brush over the stuffed crust for that golden, buttery finish.

6. Bake
   Bake for 12–15 minutes or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbling. Let rest 5 minutes before slicing.

Sarah’s Tips

• Mozzarella string cheese makes stuffing the crust super easy.

• Use a cast iron skillet for an even crispier, golden crust.

• Want it extra cheesy? Add dollops of ricotta or more cheddar on top.

• Leftovers (if there are any) reheat beautifully in the oven or air fryer.

Nutrition (per slice – based on 8 slices)

• Calories: ~400

• Carbs: 35g

• Fat: 22g

• Protein: 16g

• Sodium: ~750mg