Randy Chandler
There are many ways to add cheese to a pizza crust. For a stuffed crust, you can use string cheese, shredded mozzarella, or cut fresh mozzarella into thin pieces to line the edges. For a flourless crust, you can use a mixture of shredded mozzarella, parmesan, eggs, and Italian seasoning. Alternatively, you can add cheese to the bottom of the crust by sprinkling a thin layer of parmesan, cheddar, gruyere, or mozzarella onto the pan before adding the dough.
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What You'll Learn
Use string cheese for a stuffed crust
String cheese is the perfect hack for creating a stuffed crust pizza. Its shape, width, and texture make it ideal for achieving melty cheese pockets inside the pizza crust. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving the perfect string cheese-stuffed crust:
Firstly, prepare your pizza dough. You can either make your own or use store-bought dough. If using store-bought frozen pizza dough, ensure it is thawed before use. Preheat your oven to 475°F (246°C) and allow it to heat up while you shape the pizza.
In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, yeast, and salt. You can also add Italian seasoning to the mix for extra flavour. In a saucepan, heat water and oil to 120°-130°. Gradually add the liquid to the dry ingredients and mix until combined. You may not need all the liquid, so gradually add and mix until a soft dough forms.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out your dough into a circle. The size will depend on your preference and the size of your pizza pan. Transfer the dough to a greased pizza pan, allowing the dough to drape over the edges. Now, it's time to add the string cheese! Place the string cheese around the edge of the pan, ensuring it is tucked tightly into the crust. Fold the dough over the cheese and pinch to seal it shut. Any gaps will not be a problem, but the cheese may melt out, so ensure it is well-sealed.
You can now add your toppings. For a simple option, use shredded mozzarella and your favourite pizza toppings. If you want to try something different, you can use a combination of mozzarella, parmesan, and asiago cheese, with toppings such as mushrooms, pepperoni, Canadian bacon, or black olives.
Finally, bake your pizza! Place the pizza in the oven and bake for around 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden. For an extra crispy finish, place it under the broiler for a few minutes.
Enjoy your delicious, string cheese-stuffed crust pizza!
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Use shredded mozzarella for a stuffed crust
Shredded mozzarella is a great alternative to string cheese for a stuffed crust pizza. It is easy to use and can be purchased pre-shredded or shredded at home. It is important to note that fresh mozzarella is not suitable for a stuffed crust pizza as it is too high in moisture.
To use shredded mozzarella for a stuffed crust, start by lining up the shredded cheese about 0.5 inches from the edge of your pizza dough. Then, roll the dough over the cheese and pinch it down to secure the cheese in place. Make sure to seal the edges tightly to prevent any cheese from leaking out during baking. Continue this process until you have gone around the entire crust.
Once you have stuffed the crust with shredded mozzarella, it is time to add the toppings. Start by brushing the stuffed edges of the dough with melted butter and sprinkling with garlic salt. Then, spoon your desired sauce over the middle of the base and top with more shredded mozzarella. Finally, add any additional toppings of your choice, such as pepperoni or vegetables.
After adding your toppings, it is time to bake your pizza. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the pizza for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the crust is lightly browned. To ensure even cooking, it is not necessary to pre-bake the crust before adding the toppings.
Using shredded mozzarella for a stuffed crust pizza is a simple and effective way to create a delicious and cheesy experience. By following these steps and adjusting the toppings to your preference, you can enjoy a mouth-watering pizza with a perfectly stuffed crust.
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Make a flourless crust with mozzarella and parmesan
Making a flourless pizza crust with mozzarella and Parmesan is a great option for those who are gluten intolerant or are looking for a low-carb alternative to traditional pizza crust. The process is simple and only requires a few ingredients. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make it:
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
You will need mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, eggs, and Italian seasoning. For the mozzarella, it is recommended to use a pre-shredded variety or shred low-moisture part-skim mozzarella yourself. Avoid using fresh mozzarella as it is too high in moisture. For the Parmesan, you can use shredded or grated, and Asiago or Romano cheese can also be used as substitutes. Ensure you have large, whole eggs as egg substitutes may not work.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C). Spray a 10-inch pizza pan with non-stick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. In a food processor or blender, combine the mozzarella, Parmesan, eggs, and Italian seasoning. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, dried oregano, or other dried herbs and spices to taste. Pulse or blend until the ingredients are well mixed and smooth.
Step 3: Form the Crust
Pour the cheese mixture onto the prepared pizza pan and spread it into a thin, even layer. You can use a spatula or the back of a spoon to help spread and shape the mixture.
Step 4: Bake the Crust
Place the pizza pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and firm to the touch. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't burn. Once done, remove the crust from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes before adding any toppings. This cooling step is important as it helps create a seal so that your crust won't become soggy.
Step 5: Top and Bake Again
After the crust has cooled slightly, you can add your desired toppings. Sauce, cheese, and various toppings can be added. For sauce options, consider keto pizza sauce, pesto, alfredo sauce, or store-bought tomato sauce with no added sugar or starch. Popular topping choices include pepperoni, cooked Italian sausage, shredded chicken, ground beef, sauteed mushrooms, bell peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, and sliced olives. Brush the sides of the crust with olive oil and then place the pizza back into the oven. Bake for an additional 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden and the cheese is melted.
And that's it! You now have a delicious and chewy flourless pizza crust made with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Enjoy your homemade pizza!
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Use parmesan on the bottom of the crust
If you're looking to add some extra flavour and texture to your pizza, sprinkling a thin layer of Parmesan on the bottom of the crust could be the answer. This technique, recommended by award-winning author Joshua McFadden in his book, 'Grains for Every Season', can add a crispy, caramelised layer of cheese to the base of your pizza.
To do this, start by pouring a generous amount of olive oil into your pan and swirling it around to coat the entire bottom surface. Then, sprinkle on the Parmesan. You could use around 40g (1/3 cup) of grated Parmesan for a 13" x 18" pan, or 4 teaspoons per quadrant for a 14" square pan. Shape your pizza dough to size on parchment paper, then gently place it atop the cheese in the pan. Be sure to do any significant stretching and pushing of the dough before you add it to the pan, as it will be harder to shape once it's on top of the cheese.
Parmesan is a great choice for a bottom crust as its low moisture level means it will crisp up nicely. Other cheeses such as cheddar, Gruyère, and mozzarella may not work as well, as they can form an unpleasant leathery layer on the bottom of the crust.
If you're looking to add cheese to the crust itself, rather than the bottom of the pizza, you could try using string cheese, or thin piles of shredded mozzarella, to line the edges of the crust.
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Bake the pizza at 400°F for 20-25 minutes
To make a pizza with cheese in the crust, you can use either store-bought or homemade pizza dough. For the cheese, string cheese is the easiest option, but you can also use shredded or fresh mozzarella. If you are using shredded mozzarella, create narrow piles to line the edges of the crust. If you are using fresh mozzarella, cut it into thin pieces. Make sure to tuck the cheese into the crust tightly, folding the edges over and pressing down to seal it shut.
Once you have assembled your pizza, it is time to bake it. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place your pizza in the oven and bake it for 20-25 minutes. While the exact baking time may vary depending on your oven and the thickness of your crust, 20-25 minutes should be sufficient to ensure the cheese is melted and the crust is cooked through.
Keep a close eye on your pizza during the baking process to ensure it does not burn. If you find that the top of your pizza is browning too quickly, you can loosely cover it with foil to prevent further browning. Alternatively, if you want to add some extra colour and crispness to your crust, you can broil the pizza for an additional 2 minutes after baking.
Once your pizza is baked to perfection, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing and serving. Enjoy the fruits of your labour!
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few ways to do this. You can make a flourless crust using a mixture of mozzarella, parmesan, eggs, and Italian seasoning. You can also make a traditional pizza dough crust and add cheese to the bottom of the crust before baking. If you want a stuffed crust, you can use string cheese or shredded mozzarella along the edges of the crust, folding the dough over the cheese and pressing down to seal.
String cheese is the easiest option for a stuffed crust pizza, but shredded or thin pieces of mozzarella cheese can also be used.
Bake the pizza in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
