PEPPERONI-SAUSAGE STUFFED PIZZA

Pepperoni-Sausage Stuffed Pizza image

For 30 years, friends have been telling me to open a pizzeria using this recipe. It even freezes well. -Elizabeth Wolff, Carmel, Indiana

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 1h25m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
1-1/4 cups warm water (110° to 115°)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon sugar
3-1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour
FILLING:
2-1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
2-1/2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese, divided
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 teaspoons dried basil
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 pound bulk Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
1 package (3-1/2 ounces) sliced pepperoni
1 can (15 ounces) pizza sauce
Grated Parmesan cheese, optional

Steps:

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. In a large bowl, combine oil, salt, sugar, yeast mixture and 1 cup flour; beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough., Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour., Preheat oven to 425°. Grease a 13x9-in. baking pan. Punch down dough; divide into three portions. On a lightly floured surface, combine two portions of dough and roll into a 15x11-in. rectangle. Transfer to prepared pan, pressing onto bottom and up sides of pan. Top with 2 cups mozzarella cheese and 2 cups cheddar cheese. Sprinkle with flour, seasonings, cooked sausage, mushrooms and pepperoni., Roll out remaining dough into a 13x9-in. rectangle. Place dough over filling, crimping edges to seal; prick top with a fork. Sprinkle with remaining cheeses. Bake on a lower oven rack 10 minutes., Reduce oven setting to 375°. Spread pizza sauce over cheese. Bake 30-35 minutes longer or until edges are lightly browned. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. If desired, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese., Freeze option: Freeze cooled baked pizza pieces in a resealable freezer container. To use, reheat on a baking sheet in a preheated 375° oven until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 483 calories, Fat 28g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 67mg cholesterol, Sodium 1092mg sodium, Carbohydrate 36g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 22g protein.