Pizza Hut Stuffed Crust: What To Know Before Ordering
Go ahead and admit it. You've got an ongoing love affair with pizza, and you are not alone. Pizza has long been regarded as quintessential comfort food, and few places are known for doing it as well as Pizza Hut. According to the company website, this iconic restaurant was first established in 1958 in Wichita, Kansas when the two founding brothers borrowed $600 from their mother to open the first branch. Their growth has been exponential since then, and currently, the company boasts more than 16,000 restaurants in 100 countries with no intentions of slowing down in the future.
Their dizzying accomplishments are enviable and there is a myriad of reasons why they have managed to outpace the competition and stay relevant. One of the most obvious keys to their success is their pizza, and the much-adored Stuffed Crust Pizza has been a crucial part of the menu. Here is everything you need to know about this ooey-gooey delight before you order it for the first time or re-order it for the 100th time.
What is Stuffed Crust Pizza?
It may be hard to believe, but Stuffed Crust Pizza celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2021. What makes this version of pizza so exciting is that it offers more of what you want by putting cheese (string cheese) in the crust and not just on the top of the pizza pie. According to Restaurant Business, it was created by the research and development (R&D) team of Pizza Hut and officially launched at the Super Bowl in 1995.
"Stuffed Crust Pizza was invented after we noticed that customers were leaving the crust behind when they ate a slice of pizza," said Brock Johnson, innovation leader for the chain's Dallas-based R&D global team. "Pizza Hut stuffed the crust with cheese and it became a category disruptor." Since then, Pizza Hut has introduced more than 40 stuffed crust versions globally in places, including Asia, the U.K., Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mexico, Latin America, Canada, and, of course, the United States. "We always look for ingredients that can be executed well with existing equipment and processes," said Johnson.
How does Stuffed Crust Pizza taste?
Pizza lovers unanimously agree that Stuffed Crust Pizza, which goes for $16.99 per large pie (via Fast Food Menu Prices), is a must-try for anyone who is a fan of a super cheesy pizza. The warm golden crust is always on point and manages to perfectly balance the ratio of bread and soft salty mozzarella. The available varieties of Stuffed Crust Pizza are incredibly diverse, but gaining access to all of the different versions largely depends on where you are located around the world.
For instance, Americans can dive headfirst into favs like the popular "Meat Lover's," which is a carnivore's dream with pepperoni, seasoned pork (sausage), beef, mushrooms, green bell peppers, red onions ham, and bacon. The classic " Veggie Lover's" is another winner that gives all the pleasure of the meat lover's without the guilt. Piled high with fresh mushrooms (never canned), red onions, green bell peppers, Roma tomatoes, and black olives, it offers a fresh and healthier option for the toppings while still delivering the gooey delight of the cheese-stuffed crust (via Pizza Hut).
If you prefer something more in the middle, go for the classic "Supreme Pizza," which is a combination of the succulent meats we crave and the fresh vegetables you need. It's a real crowd-pleaser with a loyal fan base and a delectable combination of fresh ingredients that is not to be underestimated.
International flair
Without a doubt, some of the most exciting Stuffed Crust Pizza varieties are found internationally. Pizza Hut Cambodia offers a "Seafood Extreme" that showcases a bevy of options such as cheese, shrimp, squid, clams, mussels, imitation crab sticks, onions, bell peppers, and a special, sweet tomato sauce. Head to the U.A.E. and instead of stuffing the crust with string cheese, they offer either meat "Kebab or Garlic" and cheese in the crust, as noted by Food Business. When in China chow down on a durian pizza that marries the world's stinkiest fruit with the brand's signature cheese and dough (via And Now U Know).
Always one to stay on top of global trends, Restaurant Business announced that Pizza Hut has made a deal to start working with Beyond Meat to start developing plant-based toppings for the menu in 2022. The hope is that there will soon be vegetarian pork, beef crumbles, sausage, and even pepperoni in the future. The U.K already has plans to debut a Stuffed Crust Pizza with vegan cheese and that option will likely expand with global demand.
Stuffed Crust Pizza may not be as unhealthy as you think
Because it is covered in meat and cheese and full of carbs, pizza is often relegated to the junk food category (some for good reason), yet Stuffed Crust Pizza is not as unhealthy as you think. When calculated by Calorie King, a large hand-tossed Pizza Hut pizza with marinara, pepperoni, and cheese clocks in at around 300 calories per slice.
Alternatively, the cheese-stuffed crust option with pepperoni only adds 40 calories for each slice (via Calorie King). What's more shocking is that one slice of pepperoni Stuffed Crust Pizza has fewer calories than a typical salad from Pizza Hut. For instance, their Chicken Caesar Salad packs in a whopping 440 calories per serving and that is without salad dressing (via Calorie King). While no one is suggesting that salads should be replaced with pepperoni pizza, in the grand scheme of things, having a slice or two of Stuffed Crust Pizza from time is an impulse that may be worth giving in to.
Why Stuffed Crust Pizza is so special
While Pizza Hut may not rank at the top of the list of best pizza chains in America, it is far from the worst. Most pizza aficionados will agree that it is well worth trying at least once in a lifetime. There's a lot to love about this charming pizza and it has proved that it can stand the test of time. "Many have tried to recreate it, but there's still only ONE original stuffed crust pizza," Pizza Hut said in a statement (via CNN Business).
Pizza Hut's official blog, probably says it best. "We don't just make pizza. We make people happy. Pizza Hut was built on the belief that pizza night should be special, and we carry that belief into everything we do. With more than 60 years of experience under our belts, we understand how to best serve our customers through tried and true service principles," their message explains. No matter how you slice it, Pizza Hut's Stuffed Crust Pizza is legendary and has left an indelible impression in our minds and on our tastebuds.