There’s a special place in our family’s heart for Italian cuisine. The sheer joy of preparing a delicious Italian meal, knowing it’s relatively simple and guarantees happy, full bellies, is truly unmatched. From classic spaghetti and meatballs to comforting lasagna, and especially the universal delight of pizza, these dishes never fail to bring everyone to the table. What I love most is seeing my kids devour their dinner when Italian is on the menu – a rare and wonderful sight for any parent!
Italian cooking often surprises people with its simplicity, relying on readily available, high-quality ingredients like rich sauces, flavorful meats, and creamy cheeses. Recently, I had the pleasure of discovering the La Romanella product line during a trip to my local Smart & Final. As someone who prides herself on discerning taste, particularly when it comes to Italian food, I was genuinely impressed. The outstanding flavor and the quality of ingredients in every La Romanella product I tried truly elevated my home cooking.
This recipe was born out of a common parental dilemma: the perpetually uneaten pizza crusts left behind on my children’s plates. For years, I’d watch those golden-brown edges go to waste, thinking, “There has to be a better way!” The truth is, plain crusts can be a bit… well, plain. They often lack the exciting flavors of the pizza’s center. So, I set out to solve this age-old problem, determined to create a pizza that encourages every last bite. The secret? Stuffing that crust with delicious cheese and savory meat! This innovation ensures that not a single crust is left behind. Now, if only I could apply this magic to their sandwich crusts!
To embark on this culinary adventure and craft the ultimate stuffed crust pizza, I stocked up on some of my favorite La Romanella products at Smart & Final. My basket was filled with everything needed for a truly divine pizza: robust Italian sausage, classic pepperoni, savory salami, a rich pizza sauce, creamy mozzarella cheese, and a bottle of their exquisite extra virgin olive oil. (For those curious about my shopping journey, you could previously find a glimpse of my entire trip here on Google+).
Fair warning to our vegetarian friends: this recipe is unapologetically meaty! For those who love a hearty pizza packed with flavor, prepare for a treat.
Ingredients:
Homemade Pizza Dough (or your favorite store-bought dough)
La Romanella Prepared Pizza Sauce
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
La Romanella Pepperoni
La Romanella Sliced Salami
La Romanella Grated Parmesan Cheese
La Romanella Extra Virgin Olive Oil
La Romanella Mild Italian Sausage
Begin by preparing your La Romanella Mild Italian Sausage. Remove the casings from two sausage links, crumble the meat, and cook it thoroughly in a skillet until browned. Drain any excess fat and set aside. Next, roll out your pizza dough. Don’t worry about perfection; any shape works, whether it’s a traditional circle, a rustic rectangle, or something more abstract! I usually aim for a rough circle. Lightly brush the rolled-out dough with La Romanella Extra Virgin Olive Oil, extending almost to the edges. Then, spread a generous layer of La Romanella Prepared Pizza Sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a border for the stuffed crust. Finish this base layer with a sprinkle of savory La Romanella Grated Parmesan Cheese.
Now, it’s time for the true “meat lover’s” experience! Begin by layering a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauced and seasoned dough. This forms the perfect canvas for your toppings. For the meats, I like to start with the thinly sliced La Romanella Salami, distributing it evenly across the cheese. You can certainly adjust the order based on your preference. Following the salami, add a layer of delicious La Romanella Pepperoni – truly my absolute favorite for its rich flavor and crispy edges. Don’t be shy with the pepperoni! Add a little more mozzarella cheese to help bind the meats together, and finally, scatter the cooked and crumbled Italian sausage over the entire pizza. This layered approach ensures every bite is bursting with flavor and texture.
Continue this process, working your way around the entire perimeter of the pizza. Roll a piece of meat with cheese, place it, and then carefully fold and crimp the dough over it, creating a continuous, stuffed border. Pay attention to sealing each section well to prevent any cheese from escaping during baking. This methodical approach ensures an evenly stuffed crust throughout.
Keep going until the entire crust is beautifully stuffed and sealed, forming a perfect ring around your pizza. The visual result should be a thick, enticing border, hinting at the cheesy, meaty surprise within!
Once your masterpiece is complete, it’s ready for the oven. Bake the pizza according to the instructions for your specific pizza dough. If you’re using my homemade dough recipe, preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for approximately 15 minutes. The pizza is perfectly done when the crust achieves a beautiful golden-brown hue, and the cheese on top is gloriously bubbly and melted. The aroma filling your kitchen will be absolutely irresistible. Yum!
With this ultimate stuffed crust pizza, you’ll never again face the challenge of uneaten crusts. Your kids, and even the adults, will happily devour every last piece, knowing a delightful, cheesy, meaty surprise awaits them in every bite of the crust!
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The Ultimate Stuffed Crust Pizza – Leave No Crust Behind!
Ingredients
- 2 Mild Italian Sausage links
- 18 oz pizza dough approximately
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/3 cup pizza sauce
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese shredded
- 8 oz pepperoni sliced
- 8 oz salami sliced
Instructions
- 1.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius).
- 2.
Remove the casings from two mild Italian sausage links, crumble the meat, and cook in a skillet until browned. Drain any excess fat. Roll out your pizza dough to your desired shape (approximately an 18-inch circle). Spread a thin layer of olive oil over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Apply pizza sauce evenly, then sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
- 3.
Layer with shredded mozzarella cheese. Next, add salami slices, followed by pepperoni slices, a bit more mozzarella, and finally the cooked crumbled sausage. Ensure toppings are evenly distributed.
- 4.
For the stuffed crust: take a slice of pepperoni or salami, add a small amount of shredded mozzarella, and roll it up. Place this roll along the edge of the pizza dough. Pull the dough’s border up and over the meat and cheese roll, pressing firmly to seal the crust.
- 5.
Continue this process around the entire pizza perimeter, rolling and crimping the dough until the crust is fully stuffed and sealed.
- 6.
Bake the pizza for approximately 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted. Baking time may vary depending on your oven and dough thickness.
Nutrition
Beyond this sensational stuffed crust pizza, what other Italian dishes truly capture your heart and make it to your family’s table?
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Disclosure: This project has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for #collectivebias #CBias. The recipe and opinions expressed are, as always, 100% my own.