Frederic Melton
Cheese-stuffed crust pizza is a popular option for pizza lovers worldwide, with many major pizza chains offering their own take on this indulgent treat. The concept is simple yet effective: cheese is stuffed into the outer edge of the pizza crust, resulting in a delicious, oozy texture when baked. While mozzarella is a popular choice, other types of cheese like cheddar and parmesan can also be used. The popularity of cheese-stuffed crust pizza can be largely attributed to Pizza Hut, which debuted its Original Stuffed Crust Pizza in 1995. Since then, other chains like Papa John's, Domino's, and Little Caesars have followed suit, offering their own variations of cheese-stuffed crust pizzas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of crust | Stuffed |
| Type of cheese | Mozzarella, string cheese, cheddar, Parmesan, Romano |
| Other ingredients | Shrimp, mayonnaise, sausage, bacon, meat pies, garlic sauce, hot dogs, Marmite |
| Availability | Papa John's, Pizza Hut, DiGiorno, Little Caesars, Pizza Pizza, Domino's |
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What You'll Learn
Pizza Hut's Original Stuffed Crust Pizza
In 1995, Pizza Hut changed the pizza game forever with its Original Stuffed Crust Pizza. The pizza features warm and melty cheese stuffed into the crust of traditional pizza dough, topped with classic marinara, 100% real cheese made from whole milk mozzarella, and your choice of toppings. Since its launch, many have tried to recreate Pizza Hut's Original Stuffed Crust Pizza, but there's only one original.
The Original Stuffed Crust Pizza is a large pizza with warm, melty cheese baked directly into the crust. All traditional Pizza Hut locations carry the Original Stuffed Crust Pizza, although product availability may vary. Pizza Hut's stuffed crust is made with 100% real cheese from whole milk mozzarella.
The concept of stuffed crust pizza was popularized by Pizza Hut, which debuted this style of pizza in 1995. Created by Patty Scheibmeir, the pizza was launched on March 25, 1995, and marketed in a commercial featuring Donald Trump. Since then, Pizza Hut has continued to innovate with stuffed crust pizzas, introducing variations such as the Grilled Cheese Stuffed Crust Pizza in 2018 and unique stuffed crust pizzas in different countries, like the hot dog stuffed crust pizza in Japan, China, and South Korea, and the Marmite stuffed crust pizza in New Zealand.
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String cheese in the crust
String cheese is a popular choice for creating stuffed crust pizzas. Its shape, width, and texture make it ideal for achieving the perfect melty cheese pockets inside the crust. When using string cheese, it is important to ensure that it is full-fat mozzarella string cheese to guarantee optimal melting. Reduced-fat or fat-free cheese may not melt properly and could result in a greasy crust.
To use string cheese in your stuffed crust pizza, start by preparing your pizza dough. You can either make your own dough or use store-bought dough, ensuring it is thawed if frozen. Preheat your oven to 425°F (246°C) and allow it to heat up while you shape your pizza. For a thin crust, stretch the dough out until it is thin and barely fits on your pizza stone or pan.
Once your dough is prepared, it's time to add the string cheese. Unwrap the cheese sticks and cut them in half lengthwise and crosswise to create 8-10 pieces. Place these pieces around the edge of the pizza, leaving minimal gaps between them. You can also sprinkle Italian seasoning over the cheese for added flavour. Pull the dough over the cheese sticks and seal it shut by firmly pressing down with your fingers. Make sure there are no gaps, as they may cause the cheese to melt out onto the pizza instead of staying inside the crust.
After assembling the stuffed crust, continue with your desired pizza toppings. Bake the pizza according to your recipe's instructions, typically between 17 and 22 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Allow the pizza to rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving it warm.
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Papa John's Epic Stuffed Crust
Stuffed crust pizza has become a popular offering at many pizza chains, with Papa Johns offering its own unique take on the concept. Papa Johns' Epic Stuffed Crust pizza stands out for its generous amount of cheese stuffed into the crust, creating a truly indulgent and heavy pizza experience. The chain's dedication to using high-quality, fresh ingredients, including their original dough made from just six ingredients, sets them apart from competitors.
Papa Johns' Epic Stuffed Crust features a blend of mozzarella and savoury garlic-herb ricotta cheese, stuffed into their fresh, never-frozen original dough. This combination delivers a calzone-inspired crust with a unique flavour profile that has earned a fan following. The stuffed crust is then baked to golden perfection, resulting in a crispy, indulgent bite.
While the concept of stuffed crust pizza is not unique to Papa Johns, the chain has perfected its version by focusing on the quality and taste of the crust. The dough, made from scratch, is hand-stretched to create a thin base, balancing out the heft of the stuffed crust. The result is a pizza that is both familiar and innovative, appealing to those who enjoy the classic Papa Johns taste with an extra cheesy twist.
The Epic Stuffed Crust pizza is available in two varieties: the original cheese-stuffed crust and the Garlic Epic Stuffed Crust. The latter incorporates Papa Johns' signature garlic sauce, adding an extra layer of flavour to the crust. The garlic sauce can also be enjoyed as a dipping sauce on the side, enhancing the garlicky goodness.
Papa Johns' Epic Stuffed Crust pizza is a testament to the chain's commitment to innovation and quality. By taking a well-loved concept and elevating it with their signature ingredients and attention to detail, they have created a stuffed crust experience that stands out in a crowded market.
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Garlic sauce stuffed into the crust
Pizza is a versatile dish that can be customised with various toppings and sauces to match different preferences. While cheese-stuffed crusts are popular, some people may prefer a garlic sauce stuffed into the crust instead.
When making a garlic sauce-stuffed crust at home, one can use a regular or whole wheat pizza dough recipe, as long as the dough is stretchy and soft enough to assemble a stuffed crust. The key to a successful garlic sauce-stuffed crust is to ensure that the sauce is enclosed tightly within the crust. Any gaps may cause the sauce to leak out during the baking process.
Some recipes suggest using string cheese in the crust, as its shape, width, and texture make it ideal for creating pockets of garlic sauce. However, narrow piles of shredded mozzarella or thin pieces of fresh mozzarella can also be used to achieve a similar effect. The crust can then be brushed with olive oil and seasoned with garlic salt for an extra garlicky punch.
Papa John's, a popular pizza chain, recognised the demand for garlic sauce-stuffed crust and launched its Garlic Epic Stuffed Crust Pizza in July 2023. This innovation combines their signature dough with garlic seasoning, garlic sauce, and the option of additional garlic sauce on the side for dipping. The brand later introduced a spicy variation with chilli flakes, showcasing the versatility of garlic sauce-stuffed crusts and their ability to cater to diverse taste preferences.
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Variations in different countries
Stuffed crust pizza, popularized by Pizza Hut in 1995, typically features mozzarella cheese or other ingredients stuffed into the outer edge of the crust. While it is not true that "every" pizza has a cheese-stuffed crust, this variety has certainly gained popularity across the globe, with several countries offering their own unique twists on the concept.
In Brazil, for instance, a creamy and loose white cheese called requeijão is commonly used as a stuffed crust filling. Brazilian pizzas are known for their exotic toppings, such as chicken or beef Stroganoff, cheeseburger, and even French fries. They also offer sweet pizzas, which can have stuffed crusts filled with chocolate. In Germany, Pizza Hut introduced the "German King" pizza with a sausage, bacon, and cheese-stuffed crust. Similarly, Pizza Hut Japan offered a unique crust stuffed with shrimp and mayonnaise, while its branches in Hong Kong served a "Cheesy Lava"-stuffed crust pizza with abalone sauce.
Pizza Hut New Zealand took a different approach with their Marmite stuffed crust pizza, appealing to those who enjoy the savoury spread. Meanwhile, in the United States, Pizza Hut launched a hot dog stuffed crust pizza in 2012, which was also offered by Domino's in the US, UK, and New Zealand. The US also has quite authentic Neapolitan-style pizza restaurants in virtually every suburb and city, showcasing the diverse pizza landscape in the country.
While the UK is home to several international Italian and American pizza chains, it also has its own homegrown chains like PizzaExpress, Strada, and Prezzo. Spicy pizzas are particularly popular in the UK, with toppings like Chicken Tikka Masala, chilli, and standard "Italian-American" combinations like Hawaiian (ham and pineapple).
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Frequently asked questions
Not every pizza has a cheese-stuffed crust. However, many pizza chains like Pizza Hut, Papa John's, and Domino's offer this as an option.
Some alternatives to cheese-stuffed crust include hot dog-stuffed crust, shrimp-stuffed crust, and sausage-stuffed crust. Pizza Hut has also offered pizzas with crusts stuffed with shrimp and mayonnaise in Japan, and sausage, bacon, and cheese in Germany.
You can make a cheese-stuffed crust pizza at home by using a regular or whole wheat pizza dough, and stuffing the edges with string cheese, shredded mozzarella, or thin pieces of fresh mozzarella. Ensure that the cheese is tucked tightly into the crust to prevent it from melting out.
Pizza Hut popularized the stuffed crust pizza in 1995, and it was created by Patty Scheibmeir. However, Pizza Hut was sued by the family of Anthony Mongiello, who claimed that the stuffed crust infringed on Mongiello's 1987 patent for making stuffed pizza shells. Ultimately, Pizza Hut was found to have not infringed on the patent.
