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Irresistible Stuffed Pizza Rolls: Your Ultimate Guide to a Family Favorite!

Imagine soft, golden-crusted dinner rolls, each bursting with savory cheese and zesty pepperoni, then crowned with a delightful blend of more cheese and aromatic seasonings. These are not just any rolls; they are easy Stuffed Pizza Rolls, a culinary delight that perfectly marries the comfort of homemade bread with the beloved flavors of pizza. Prepare to transform your mealtime into an unforgettable experience!

Why Stuffed Pizza Rolls Are Your New Go-To Recipe

It’s a dinner roll. It’s pizza. It’s utterly mmmm-azing! For anyone seeking a crowd-pleasing dish that combines convenience with incredible flavor, these homemade pizza rolls are a revelation. Whether you’re planning a casual family dinner, a lively game day gathering, or simply need an exciting after-school snack, these stuffed rolls fit the bill perfectly. They’re designed to delight taste buds of all ages, making them a true culinary champion in any household.

The Universal Appeal of Pizza – Reimagined!

Every parent knows the power of a “P” word when it comes to pleasing their children. Pancakes for breakfast, peanut butter and jelly for lunch, and pizza for dinner – these are often the staples that bring smiles to little faces (peas, of course, being the notable exception!). As a passionate home baker and parent, I understand the desire to keep mealtime exciting while introducing new culinary experiences. That’s where these delightful stuffed dinner rolls come in. They take a familiar favorite, pizza, and present it in an innovative, fun-to-eat format, keeping everyone engaged and eager for more.

The initial reaction from my own children was priceless. When I announced pizza for dinner, their plates held what looked like innocent dinner rolls alongside roasted vegetables. Confusion quickly turned to sheer delight the moment they bit into the rolls, discovering the warm, melting mozzarella and savory pepperoni hidden within. The best part? Dipping these cheesy pockets into classic pizza sauce became an instant hit, adding an extra layer of interactive fun to their meal. It’s these moments of culinary discovery that make cooking so rewarding, and these easy pizza rolls are guaranteed to create similar joyful experiences in your home.

Crafting the Perfect Homemade Pizza Rolls: Simplicity Meets Flavor

These stuffed pizza rolls are not only incredibly delicious but also surprisingly simple to prepare, making them an ideal choice for busy households. While the classic combination of pepperoni and mozzarella is always a guaranteed winner, the beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. You can unleash your creativity with various fillings, tailoring them to your family’s preferences or whatever ingredients you have on hand.

One of the standout features of this recipe is its make-ahead potential. The dough can be prepared and allowed to rise earlier in the day or even the day before, significantly cutting down on last-minute meal prep. You can even assemble the stuffed rolls in advance and then bake them fresh just before serving. This flexibility makes them perfect for entertaining or for ensuring a delicious, homemade meal is always within reach.

The Delectable Details: Texture and Taste

Every bite of these homemade pizza rolls delivers a delightful contrast: a perfectly crispy exterior giving way to a soft, fluffy interior, brimming with gooey, melting cheese and savory pepperoni. The experience is further elevated by the flavorful garlic butter and Parmesan cheese topping, which creates an aromatic and irresistible crust. This combination of textures and flavors ensures that each roll is a miniature explosion of pizza goodness, making them truly m’m! m’m! good!

Versatility Unleashed: Perfect for Any Occasion

The beauty of these stuffed pizza rolls extends beyond their incredible taste and ease of preparation; it lies in their remarkable versatility. They are truly a chameleon of cuisine, adapting effortlessly to various roles in your meal planning:

Weekday Dinner Solution: When time is short, and hunger is high, these rolls provide a satisfying and complete meal, especially when paired with a fresh side salad or some roasted vegetables.
Game Day Grub: Hosting friends for the big game? These savory bites are the ultimate finger food, easy to eat and packed with flavor, ensuring your guests stay fueled and happy.
Party Appetizer: For any gathering, big or small, stuffed pizza rolls make an impressive and approachable appetizer. Their individual portion size makes them perfect for mingling.
After-School Snack: A nutritious and delicious option for hungry kids returning from school. They’re much more exciting than a regular sandwich!
Lunch Box Fave: Pack them cold or reheat them slightly in a thermos for a delightful surprise in school or work lunchboxes. They hold up well and remain tasty.

Easy to eat and undeniably pleasing, these savory stuffed dinner rolls are destined to become a staple in your recipe repertoire. They offer a delightful twist on classic pizza, providing comfort, flavor, and convenience all in one delicious package.

Essential Tips for Pizza Roll Perfection

Achieving perfectly golden and deliciously stuffed pizza rolls is simple with a few key tips:

Dough Consistency: When forming the dough balls and flattening them into circles, use well-floured hands and a floured surface to prevent sticking. The dough should be moist but manageable.
Sealing is Key: Ensure you firmly pinch the edges of the dough together to completely seal the fillings inside. This prevents any cheese or pepperoni from escaping during baking, keeping your rolls neat and flavorful.
Even Spacing: Give your rolls about an inch of space on the baking sheet. This allows for even air circulation, promoting a beautiful, consistent golden-brown crust.
Butter Up: Don’t skimp on the melted butter before baking! It contributes significantly to the crust’s crispiness and acts as a fantastic base for the garlic salt, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan cheese, enhancing the overall flavor.
Serving Temperature: While delicious at any temperature, these rolls are truly magical when served warm, straight from the oven, allowing the cheese to be perfectly melted and gooey.

Enjoy the process of creating these wonderful bites, and savor every moment!

xoxo,

Stuffed Pizza Rolls

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Author: Maegan – The BakerMama
Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 2 hours 25 mins
Yield: 18
Category: Meals

Print Recipe

Description

Soft crusty dinner rolls stuffed with cheese and pepperoni and topped with more cheese and seasonings for easy Stuffed Pizza Rolls. These homemade pizza rolls are a fantastic way to enjoy the classic flavors of pizza in a fun, portable, and utterly delicious format. Perfect for a quick family dinner, game day appetizer, or an exciting snack, they are simple to make and always a hit with everyone!

Ingredients

Dough:

4 tablespoons butter, melted & slightly cooled
1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast (2–1/4 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 cup warm water (approximately 105-115°F for optimal yeast activation)
3/4 cup milk, warmed slightly
1 large egg, at room temperature
2–1/2 cups Gold Medal™ Better for Bread™ flour (or a good quality all-purpose flour)
1 teaspoon salt

Fillings:

36 pepperonis (about 2 per roll, feel free to use mini pepperonis or finely chopped larger ones)
2–1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (for stuffing inside)

Toppings:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided (for baking sheet and topping)
1 tablespoon garlic salt
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1/3 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
prepared pizza sauce, for dipping (marinara, ranch, or even a garlic butter dip would also be delicious!)

Instructions

In a large, microwave-safe bowl, melt 4 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, set it aside to cool slightly while you prepare the yeast.
In a separate small bowl, combine the active dry yeast and sugar. Gently pour the warm water (ensure it’s not too hot, typically between 105-115°F, to activate the yeast without killing it) over the mixture. Let it proof for about 10 minutes until it becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
Once the melted butter has cooled to a lukewarm temperature, whisk in the milk, the room-temperature large egg, and the activated yeast mixture. In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until everything is well combined and a moist dough forms. Using well-floured hands, gently form the dough into a smooth ball. Place this dough ball into a lightly buttered bowl, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for approximately 1 1/2 hours, or until it has visibly doubled in size.
While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Pour and spread this melted butter evenly over the bottom of a large rimmed baking sheet. This butter will create a wonderfully crispy bottom crust for your pizza rolls. Set the prepared baking sheet aside.
Once the dough has completed its first rise and doubled in size, gently punch down on it to release the trapped air bubbles. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 18 equal portions, each approximately 1/4 cup in size, and roll them into individual balls. Working with one ball of dough at a time, use your floured hands to flatten it into a 4-inch circle on the floured surface. Place about a tablespoon of shredded mozzarella cheese in the center of the dough circle, followed by two pepperonis, and then top with an additional teaspoon of mozzarella. Carefully fold the edges of the dough up over the fillings, bringing them together at the top, and firmly pinch the seams to seal the roll completely. Place the sealed side down onto the buttered baking sheet. Continue this process with the remaining dough balls and fillings, arranging the rolls about an inch apart on the baking sheet to allow for expansion during baking.
Melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Using a pastry brush, evenly brush this melted butter over the tops and sides of all the assembled rolls. In a small bowl, mix together the garlic salt and Italian seasoning. Evenly sprinkle this seasoning blend, along with the finely shredded Parmesan cheese, over the tops of the buttered rolls.
Place the baking sheet on the top rack of your preheated oven. Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until they are beautifully golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. Once baked, remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Serve these delicious stuffed pizza rolls warm with a side of prepared pizza sauce for dipping. Enjoy your homemade masterpiece!

Notes

Make-Ahead Dough: The dough for these delightful pizza rolls can be prepared in advance. After the initial rise (until doubled in size), simply cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to proceed with making the rolls, allow the chilled dough to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before punching it down and dividing it.

Prepared Rolls Ahead of Time: You can also prepare the stuffed pizza rolls up to the point of brushing them with butter and adding the seasonings and cheese. After assembling the rolls and placing them on the buttered baking sheet, cover them securely with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Before baking, let the rolls sit at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes. Then, proceed with brushing on the butter, sprinkling the toppings, and baking as instructed.

Storage for Leftovers: Any leftover stuffed pizza rolls can be stored in a sealed baggie or an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.

Reheating Instructions: To reheat, microwave individual rolls for about 30-45 seconds until warm. For a crispier texture resembling freshly baked, place them on the middle rack of a 350°F (175°C) oven for 8-10 minutes, or until they are thoroughly warm and the crust has regained its crispness. This ensures your leftover pizza rolls are just as delicious as the first batch!