Bushra Griffith
There's nothing quite like a warm, cheesy pizza, and if you're a crust person, you might want to try making a pizza with cheese-filled crusts. It's easier than you think to make a pizza with cheese-stuffed crusts at home, and you can use store-bought dough or make your own. The key to success is to ensure the crust is sealed tight so that the cheese doesn't melt out during baking. You can use shredded mozzarella, string cheese, or cheese sticks, and add herbs and seasoning for extra flavour.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dough | Store-bought or homemade |
| Cheese | Mozzarella, Parmesan, or string cheese |
| Other ingredients | Flour, yeast, salt, sugar, water, olive oil, oregano, basil, cornmeal, beer, garlic |
| Baking temperature | 350-400-475°F (175-246°C) |
| Baking time | 20-25 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly |
| Pan | Pizza stone, screen, or pan |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cheese
Type of Cheese
The most popular cheeses used in pizza crusts are mozzarella, Parmesan, and string cheese. Mozzarella, with its mild flavour and excellent meltability, is a classic choice for pizza in general and works well in the crust. Parmesan, on the other hand, adds a savoury, nutty flavour and can be sprinkled on top of the crust or used in the dough itself. String cheese, as the name suggests, comes in long, thin sticks that are easy to arrange along the crust and melt beautifully.
Flavour Profile
Consider the overall flavour profile you want to achieve with your pizza. If you're aiming for a traditional, classic pizza taste, mozzarella or a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan would be a good choice. For a more savoury, robust flavour, you might want to add some Parmesan to your dough or choose a sharper, more pungent cheese like cheddar or Gruyère. If you want a spicy kick, you can add pepper jack or another spicy cheese.
Texture
The texture of the cheese is also important. You'll want a cheese that melts well, as this will ensure a gooey, cheesy crust. Cheeses like mozzarella, cheddar, and Monterey Jack are known for their meltability. Harder cheeses like Parmesan can add a nice crunchy texture when sprinkled on top of the crust.
Quantity
The amount of cheese you use will depend on the size of your pizza and the desired cheesiness. For a stuffed crust, you'll need enough cheese to line the entire edge of the pizza. Typically, about 1 cup of shredded mozzarella or a similar amount of string cheese is used for a 12-inch pizza. You can adjust the quantity based on your personal preference and the size of your pizza.
Experimentation
Don't be afraid to experiment with different cheeses and blends to find your perfect combination. You can try mixing two or more cheeses together to create a unique flavour profile. Remember to consider the overall flavour balance of your pizza, as you don't want the cheese in the crust to overpower the other toppings.
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Preparing the dough
If you choose to make the dough yourself, start by combining flour, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. You can also add sugar to this mixture if you like a sweeter dough. Stir these ingredients together until they are well combined. For a more savoury dough, you can also add some extra seasonings like Italian seasoning or dried herbs.
Next, you'll need to add liquid to the dry ingredients. You can use water or a combination of warm beer and olive oil. Stir this into the dry ingredients until it just comes together as a dough. If you're using beer, let the mixture stand for 10 to 20 minutes first, until the yeast forms a creamy layer.
At this point, you should have a soft dough. If it seems too dry, add a little more liquid, and if it's too sticky, stir in some extra flour. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead it for a few minutes, until it forms a smooth ball. You can also let the dough rest for a few minutes before kneading, which will make it easier to work with.
Once you've kneaded the dough, it's time to let it rise. Cover the dough and let it sit for about an hour. This will give the yeast time to work and make the dough airy and light. After the dough has risen, punch it down to remove any air bubbles, and you're ready to shape it into a pizza crust.
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Sealing the crust
Begin by rolling out your pizza dough to a size slightly larger than your pizza pan. This will give you enough dough to fold over the cheese. Place the dough on the pan and arrange your chosen cheese sticks or shredded cheese along the edge. The type of cheese you use is up to your preference, but popular options include mozzarella, string cheese, or cheese sticks.
Gently fold the dough over the cheese, ensuring that it is snug and tight. Use your fingers to firmly press down and seal the edges shut. You can wet your fingers with water to act as a natural glue, helping the dough stick together. Go over the crust again to ensure there are no gaps or holes where the cheese can escape during baking.
After sealing, sprinkle a light coating of flour over the wet areas of the dough. This will help absorb any excess moisture and ensure a crispy crust. If you're concerned about potential cheese leakage, you can place a drip pan under your pizza pan in the oven as an extra precaution.
Finally, before adding your toppings, consider pre-baking your crust for 6 to 10 minutes. This step helps prevent a soggy crust and ensures that the cheese inside melts completely. After pre-baking, you can add your desired toppings and bake the pizza until the crust is golden brown.
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Baking the pizza
Once you've prepared your pizza dough and filled the crust with cheese, you're ready to start baking. First, preheat your oven to a temperature between 350°F (175°C) and 475°F (246°C). The ideal temperature will depend on the size of your pizza and your oven, so you may need to experiment a little to find the perfect setting for your setup. Grease a large baking sheet or pizza pan with olive oil, and sprinkle it with cornmeal to give your crust extra crunch and flavor.
If you're using store-bought frozen pizza dough, make sure it's thawed before you start shaping it. Punch down the dough to release any air bubbles, and shape it into a circle that's about one inch bigger than your pizza pan. This step is important because you want to ensure that the dough is evenly distributed and will fit snugly in the pan.
Now it's time to add your toppings. Start with the pizza sauce, spreading it evenly over the dough. Then, add your desired toppings, such as pepperoni, sausage, peppers, onions, or olives. Get creative and choose toppings that complement the cheese in your crust. You can also sprinkle a little extra cheese on top if you like.
Finally, place your pizza in the preheated oven and bake it for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. Keep a close eye on it to ensure it doesn't burn. Once it's done, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly before slicing and serving. Enjoy the fruits of your labor, and don't forget to share with your friends and family!
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Topping the pizza
Once you've prepared your pizza crust, it's time to top it! The options are endless, and you can get as creative as you like. Here are some tips and ideas to help you create a delicious and visually appealing pizza:
Sauce
The sauce forms the base of your pizza and adds flavour to each bite. Traditional pizza sauces include tomato-based options like marinara or pizza sauce, but you can also experiment with white sauces like alfredo or pesto. If you're feeling adventurous, try something different like a BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or a spicy chilli sauce.
Cheese
Since you've already filled your crust with cheese, you might want to opt for a more modest amount on top. Traditional options include mozzarella, which has a beautiful melt and stretch, or cheddar, which has a sharper flavour. You could also try a blend of cheeses, like a 'pizza mix' or a combination of mozzarella and Parmesan.
Meat Toppings
Meat lovers can add a variety of options, including pepperoni, Italian sausage, bacon, ham, salami, or ground beef. If you're feeling adventurous, try something different like BBQ chicken, prosciutto, or even meatballs. Just remember to ensure your meat is cooked before adding it to the pizza, as the baking time may not be sufficient to cook raw meats through.
Vegetable Toppings
Vegetables add colour, flavour, and texture to your pizza. Popular options include sliced peppers (bell peppers), onions, mushrooms, olives, tomatoes, spinach, and jalapenos. If you're feeling creative, try artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted eggplant (aubergine), or fresh arugula (rocket).
Herbs and Spices
Don't forget to add some dried or fresh herbs and spices to enhance the flavour of your pizza. Oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, and red pepper flakes are all excellent options. You can also add these directly to your sauce or sprinkle them on top of your cheese layer.
Final Touches
Before putting your pizza in the oven, you can add some final touches. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, a drizzle of olive oil, or a sprinkle of Italian seasoning can take your pizza to the next level. You could also try adding cornmeal to the crust for extra crunch, as suggested by Crunchy Creamy Sweet.
Remember, the key to a great pizza is balance. Don't overload your pizza with too many toppings, as this can make it difficult to cook evenly and may result in a soggy pizza. Less is more, and you can always add more toppings to half of the pizza to satisfy different tastes!
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Frequently asked questions
You can use store-bought or homemade pizza dough, shredded mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning, and toppings of your choice.
First, roll out your pizza dough about one inch bigger than your pizza pan. Place the dough on the pan and arrange cheese sticks along the edge. Gently fold the dough over the cheese and seal it by pressing down. Make sure there are no holes for the cheese to melt out of during baking.
Bake the crust for 6-10 minutes before adding toppings to prevent soggy dough. Then, add your sauce and toppings and bake for another 20-25 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
