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Delicious Cheesy Rolls

Category: Quick Bites for Every Gathering

These fluffy dough rolls, filled with gooey cheese, savory pepperoni, and veggies, are baked till golden in a muffin tray. Each roll gets a garlic butter brush for an extra pop of flavor and pairs beautifully with marinara or warm dipping sauce. They're easy to customize, fun to make, and perfect as appetizers or snacks. Sprinkle on some Parmesan for a little extra zing and dive into that cheesy goodness.

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Clare Greco
Updated on Sat, 17 May 2025 20:55:07 GMT
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Cheesy Rolls | homebitesbyana.com

Turn your favorite pizza tastes into fun, bite-sized pinwheels that bake up perfectly in muffin pans. I stumbled on this idea while trying to mix up our pizza night, and now it’s a staple for easy hangouts and weekend sports viewing.

This all started when friends dropped by one night for a game. Everyone thought they were super fancy, but honestly, they looked tougher than they were. Now people ask for them at nearly every party!

Irresistible Ingredients

  • Premade pizza dough or Pillsbury dough: gives you a hassle-free base
  • Thin-sliced pepperoni: bakes up crisp for a classic taste
  • Low-moisture mozzarella cheese: melts like a dream and stops soggy rolls
  • Veggies like bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms: make the rolls tasty and pack in more goodness
  • Savory garlic butter: takes the flavor to the next level with buttery, garlicky vibes
  • Pizza sauce: makes things juicy and tangy from the inside out

Easy Step-by-Step Directions

Get Ready to Bake:
Hit the oven to 350°F and center your rack. Make sure every muffin well is completely greased up, getting those sides too so you don’t wind up with stuck rolls.
Shape the Dough:
If you have tube dough, just roll it straight onto your floured counter. With a dough ball, flatten and stretch it into a big rectangle, half an inch thick, so all the rolls bake evenly.
Build the Layers:
Smooth on a thin layer of sauce, keeping a border around the edge. Pile on mozzarella so it’s nice and even, get your veggies in, then top with pepperoni so everything rolls together and looks good.
Cut and Spiral:
Take a sharp knife or pizza cutter, mark 12 strips across the rectangle’s long side, and slice down. Grab an end and roll that strip up tight so all the tasty layers peek through.
Brush on Garlic Butter:
Mix melted butter, chopped garlic, and chopped parsley in a bowl. Grab a brush and slather it over the rolls, let the buttery mix run down the sides for max flavor.
Pop in the Oven:
Put the tin in your heated oven and bake 20–25 minutes. You’re looking for golden tops and melty cheese bubbling at the edges.
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Pizza Rolls | homebitesbyana.com

The first batch of these hit the jackpot with my teenage nephew—he said they were "way better than the freezer kind" and polished off half a tray. We never skip the garlic butter because it takes this snack from good to unforgettable.

Handy Make Ahead Ideas

Busy week? No problem. Get everything ready up to baking, wrap in plastic, and stash in the fridge for a day. Toss in the oven, just give ‘em five extra minutes. Freeze unbaked rolls in the tin, pop them out and bag them once they're solid. Cook straight from frozen at 350°F for a half hour.

Tasty Pairings

Pair these pizza rolls with a simple green salad and a splash of vinaigrette for a chill meal. If you’re serving snacks, go for buffalo wings, fresh veggies with ranch, or mozzarella sticks. Hot pizza rolls and crunchy cold veggies make everyone happy, grown-ups or kids.

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Pizza Rolls | homebitesbyana.com

Fix-It Tricks

Are your rolls browning way too fast on top? Lower the oven to 325°F and let them go another 5 to 7 minutes. Want ‘em extra gooey? Sprinkle more cheese over the top in the final 5 minutes. If your dough snaps back and won’t roll out, let it chill out on the counter for 10 minutes so it relaxes.

Recipe FAQs

→ Is homemade dough okay to use?

Sure! If you're making your dough from scratch, just flatten it to the recommended thickness and stick to the same steps.

→ Which cheese should I choose for this dish?

Mozzarella's the best for that stretchy goodness, but blending with cheeses like cheddar, Parmesan, or provolone can amp up the flavor.

→ Any suggestions for vegetarian toppings?

Go for veggie-friendly options like mushrooms, spinach, olives, or diced bell peppers. You can also try plant-based pepperoni!

→ How do I make sure the rolls don’t stick to the pan?

Make sure to spray the muffin tin heavily with cooking spray or brush it generously with some oil before placing the dough inside.

→ Is it possible to freeze these rolls?

Definitely! Once baked and cooled, store them in an airtight container and reheat in the oven before serving them fresh again.

Cheesy Rolls

Cheesy, gooey stuffed rolls with garlic butter flavor in every bite.

Prep Time
10 min
Cooking Time
20 min
Total Time
30 min
By: Ana


Skill Level: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yields: 12 rolls

Dietary Preferences: ~

Ingredients

→ Base Dough

01 1 store-bought pizza dough ball or 1 Pillsbury pizza dough tube

→ Filling

02 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
03 1 ½ cups pepperoni slices (or plant-based pepperoni for a veggie option)
04 1 cup marinara sauce or pizza sauce
05 ½ cup finely diced onions
06 ½ cup finely chopped mushrooms
07 ½ cup diced bell peppers

→ Garlic Butter

08 ¼ cup butter, melted (salted)
09 1 clove minced garlic
10 1 teaspoon parsley, fresh or dried (optional)

→ For Serving

11 Parmesan cheese as a topping
12 Extra pizza sauce for dipping

Steps

Step 01

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and move the rack to the middle. Lightly coat a 12-slot muffin pan using oil or a spray of your choice.

Step 02

Roll the pizza dough ball into a large rectangle roughly ½” thick on a floured tabletop. For Pillsbury pizza dough, just unroll it onto your floured counter or a piece of parchment.

Step 03

Spread marinara or pizza sauce across the dough in a thin, even layer. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella on top to cover the sauce evenly.

Step 04

Scatter your choice of toppings like mushrooms, bell peppers, or onions on top of the cheese. At the very end, spread the pepperoni evenly across everything.

Step 05

Mark 12 even sections along the length of the dough with a knife or pizza cutter. Slice into strips, roll each one tightly, and place into the greased muffin pan.

Step 06

Combine melted butter with garlic and parsley in a small dish. Use a brush to spread this mixture across the tops of the rolls.

Step 07

Pop the rolls into your oven for 20-25 minutes, until their tops turn a nice golden shade.

Step 08

When ready to serve, sprinkle some Parmesan on top and grab a little pizza sauce on the side for dipping. Have fun eating!

Required Equipment

  • Muffin pan (12 slots)
  • Knife or pizza cutter
  • Flour-friendly rolling pin
  • Small bowl for mixing
  • Brush for pastry

Allergen Information

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and consult a healthcare professional if needed.
  • Includes gluten
  • Includes dairy

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

These details are for informational purposes only and don’t replace medical advice.
  • Calories: 238
  • Fat: ~
  • Carbs: ~
  • Protein: ~