Cheese Crust Pizza

Total Time:Prep: 25 min. Bake: 25 min.

By Taste Of Home Editorial Team

Recipe by Terri Gonzalez, Roswell, New Mexico

Tested by Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Updated on Oct. 12, 2022

String cheese is the secret to success for this popular stuffed-crust pizza. Prebaking the crust crust before you add the toppings assures that the cheese inside will melt completely.—Terri Gonzalez, Roswell, New Mexico

TEST KITCHEN APPROVED

Cheese Crust Pizza

Yield:8 slices
Prep:25 min
Cook:25 min

Ingredients

  • 2 to 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 package (1/4 ounce) quick-rise yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 8 pieces string cheese
  • 1/2 pound bulk Italian sausage
  • 1 medium green pepper, diced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 jar (4-1/2 ounces) sliced mushrooms, drained
  • 1-1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
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Directions

  1. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups flour, yeast and salt. In a saucepan, heat water and oil to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Let rest for 5 minutes.
  2. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into a 14-in. circle. Transfer to a greased 12-in. pizza pan, letting dough drape 2 in. over the edge.
  3. Place string cheese around edge of pan; fold dough over cheese and pinch to seal. Prick dough thoroughly with a fork. Bake at 425° for 10 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook sausage and green pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. In a small bowl, combine the tomato sauce, oregano, pepper and garlic powder; spread over crust. Sprinkle with meat mixture, mushrooms and mozzarella.
  5. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is golden brown.
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