Introduction

Oh, the smell of pizza! It instantly brings back memories of Friday nights, cozy movie marathons, and happy gatherings. And what if I told you you could capture all that cheesy, saucy goodness in a bite-sized, incredibly easy package? Get ready, because we’re diving into the world of homemade pizza rolls, and trust me, this recipe is a total game-changer. They’re so simple, even the busiest of us can whip them up, making them perfect for any occasion. You’ll be amazed at how quickly these disappear!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Fast: Ready in a flash, perfect for a quick snack or appetizer.
Easy: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps mean success every time.
Giftable: Package them up in a cute tin for a thoughtful homemade treat!
Crowd-pleasing: From picky eaters to seasoned foodies, everyone adores these!

Ingredients

Gathering your ingredients is part of the fun! Here’s what you’ll need to create these little pockets of pizza perfection:

1 lb pizza dough: You can grab a tube from the grocery store, or if you’re feeling ambitious, make your own! Store-bought is super convenient.
1/2 cup marinara or pizza sauce: Your favorite jarred sauce works beautifully here.
3 oz sliced pepperoni: The classic pizza topping that never disappoints.
1 3/4 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese: The star of the show for that gooey, melty goodness.
1/4 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese: Just a little extra to top them off.
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a little salty tang.
Fresh basil, for serving: A sprinkle of fresh basil makes them look and taste even more gourmet!

How to Make It

Alright, let’s get our hands a little floury and make some magic! Follow along, and you’ll have these delicious pizza rolls in no time.

Preheat Your Oven: First things first, get your oven preheating to 375°F (190°C). This ensures they bake up perfectly golden.
Roll Out the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out your pizza dough into a large rectangle. Think of it like a big, blank canvas for your pizza masterpiece!
Sauce it Up: Spread your marinara or pizza sauce evenly over the dough. Be sure to leave a small border along one of the long edges – this helps seal everything up nicely.
Pepperoni Power: Arrange your pepperoni slices all over the sauce. Try to get them as evenly distributed as possible for consistent flavor in every bite.
Cheese, Please! Sprinkle a generous 1 3/4 cups of shredded Mozzarella cheese over the pepperoni. Get it right to the edges (except that one border we left sauce-free!).
Roll ‘Em Up: Now for the fun part! Starting from the long edge that has the sauce, carefully and tightly roll up the dough. Once it’s rolled, pinch the seam to seal it shut. You want to make sure none of that deliciousness escapes!
Slice ‘Em: Using a sharp knife, slice the dough roll into 1-inch thick pieces. These are your individual pizza rolls!
Bake ‘Em Up: Place the pizza rolls cut-side up in a greased baking dish. I like to give them a little space so they can get nice and golden.
Top It Off: Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of shredded Mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese over the top of each roll. Oh, it’s looking good already!
Bake to Perfection: Pop them into your preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. You’re looking for that beautiful golden brown color and bubbly, melted cheese. Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn!
Garnish and Serve: Once they’re out of the oven, let them cool for just a minute. Then, garnish with some fresh basil – it adds a wonderful pop of color and freshness. Serve them warm and watch them disappear!

Substitutions & Additions

The beauty of these pizza rolls is their versatility! Feel free to play around and make them your own.

Veggies: Add finely chopped mushrooms, bell peppers, or onions before the cheese.
Meats: Cooked and crumbled Italian sausage or ham are delicious additions.
Cheese: Feel free to mix in some provolone or cheddar for a different cheese flavor.
Sauce: Pesto or a garlic butter sauce can be a fun alternative to marinara.
Spice: A pinch of red pepper flakes in the sauce can add a little kick!

Tips for Success

Here are a few little tricks I’ve learned along the way to ensure your pizza rolls turn out amazing:

Don’t Over-Sauce: Too much sauce can make the dough soggy and hard to roll. Spread it thinly and evenly.
Pinch That Seam! This is crucial for keeping all the fillings inside. Make sure it’s sealed well.
Uniform Slices: Try to cut your rolls as evenly as possible so they bake at the same rate.
Prep Ahead: You can assemble the rolls (up to the slicing step) a few hours in advance. Keep them covered in the fridge, then slice and bake when ready.
Grease That Dish: Make sure your baking dish is well-greased to prevent sticking. A little cooking spray or butter goes a long way!

How to Store It

Leftovers (if there are any!) are a treat for the next day. Store any cooled pizza rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, pop them in a toaster oven or a regular oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-10 minutes until warmed through and the cheese is melty again. They’re also surprisingly good cold, if you’re in a pinch!

FAQs

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the dough and fillings, roll it up, and cover it tightly in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before slicing and baking. For longer storage, you can freeze the unbaked rolls.

What kind of dough should I use?

You can use store-bought refrigerated pizza dough for ultimate convenience, or if you have a favorite homemade pizza dough recipe, that works perfectly too!

Can I add different toppings?

Absolutely! This recipe is super adaptable. Feel free to swap pepperoni for cooked sausage, veggies, or a different type of cheese. Just make sure any additions are pre-cooked if necessary.

EASIEST Homemade Pizza Rolls

Capture all that cheesy, saucy goodness in a bite-sized, incredibly easy package. Perfect for any occasion, from quick snacks to appetizers.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook Time 20

Equipment

Oven Preheat to 375°F (190°C)
Rolling Pin
Knife Sharp
Baking dish Greased

Ingredients

Main ingredients

1 lb pizza dough Store-bought is super convenient.
0.5 cup marinara or pizza sauce Your favorite jarred sauce works beautifully here.
3 oz sliced pepperoni The classic pizza topping that never disappoints.
1.75 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese The star of the show for that gooey, melty goodness.
0.25 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese Just a little extra to top them off.
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese Adds a little salty tang.
Fresh basil For serving. A sprinkle of fresh basil makes them look and taste even more gourmet!

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
On a lightly floured surface, roll out your pizza dough into a large rectangle.
1 lb pizza dough
Spread your marinara or pizza sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a small border along one of the long edges.
1 lb pizza dough
Arrange your pepperoni slices all over the sauce.
1 lb pizza dough
Sprinkle 1 3/4 cups of shredded Mozzarella cheese over the pepperoni, getting it right to the edges (except that one border).
1 lb pizza dough
Starting from the long edge with the sauce, carefully and tightly roll up the dough. Pinch the seam to seal it shut.
Using a sharp knife, slice the dough roll into 1-inch thick pieces.
Place the pizza rolls cut-side up in a greased baking dish, giving them a little space.
Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of shredded Mozzarella cheese and the grated Parmesan cheese over the top of each roll.
1 lb pizza dough
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, until golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
Let them cool for a minute, then garnish with fresh basil and serve warm.
1 lb pizza dough

Notes

Store any cooled pizza rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a toaster oven or regular oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes. Can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours, or frozen unbaked.