Cheesy Handheld Pepperoni Rolls

This cheesy, pepperoni-studded pizza rolls recipe is so much fun to make. The swirled bites of dough filled with sauce, cheese, and savory toppings always bring smiles to my table. I discovered these when looking for a creative way to serve pizza flavors at my son's birthday party, and they've become our Friday night tradition ever since.

I first made these during a game night with friends, and everyone kept reaching for more. Now my family requests them almost weekly, especially when we have movie nights at home.

Ingredients

• Frozen pizza dough that's been thawed gives you bakery quality results without the work of making dough from scratch
• Pasta sauce adds moisture and classic pizza flavor use your favorite jarred variety or homemade
• Shredded mozzarella cheese melts beautifully and creates that essential stretchy cheese pull when the rolls are hot
• Chopped pepperoni provides smoky flavor and those crispy edges everyone fights over
• Optional bulk Italian sausage brings extra protein and savory depth cook it ahead to save time
• Parmesan cheese adds a salty nutty dimension that elevates the overall flavor profile
• Fresh basil optional but worth it for brightening the rich flavors with herbal notes
• Crushed red pepper flakes optional but perfect for those who enjoy a hint of heat

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare Your Work Surface

Roll out your thawed pizza dough on a lightly floured surface until you have a 16x10 inch rectangle. The dough should be about 1/4 inch thick throughout. If it keeps springing back, let it rest for 5 minutes before trying again.

Add Your Sauce Layer

Brush pasta sauce evenly across the dough, leaving a 1/2 inch border all around. This border ensures your filling stays inside when rolled. Use just enough sauce to cover without making the dough soggy.

Layer Your Toppings

Sprinkle half the mozzarella first, then distribute the pepperoni pieces and cooked sausage if using evenly across the sauce. Follow with the Parmesan cheese. Layering in this order helps everything stick together when rolled.

Roll and Slice

Starting from a long edge, roll the dough tightly into a log shape, similar to making cinnamon rolls. Pinch the seam firmly to seal it closed. With a sharp knife, cut into 8 equal slices, about 2 inches thick each.

Arrange and Bake

Place the slices cut side down in your greased cast iron skillet or round baking pan. Allow a little space between each roll for expansion. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes until the dough begins to turn golden.

Add Final Cheese and Finish

Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella over the partially baked rolls and return to the oven. Bake for another 5 to 10 minutes until deeply golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned on top.

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My favorite part of this recipe is how the cheese caramelizes where it touches the hot skillet. That crispy cheese edge reminds me of Detroit style pizza and adds incredible texture. My husband always claims the center roll because it stays the softest, while the kids fight over the crispier edge pieces.

Make Ahead Options

These pizza rolls work beautifully as a make ahead option. You can prepare the entire roll then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap without slicing. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then slice and bake when you're ready to serve. The flavors actually benefit from this rest period as they meld together overnight. If you're really planning ahead, you can freeze the whole unsliced roll for up to a month just thaw in the refrigerator overnight before slicing and baking.

Creative Variations

The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. Try a vegetarian version with sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, and olives. For meat lovers, add cooked bacon bits or shredded chicken along with the pepperoni. Buffalo chicken pizza rolls are another favorite in our house simply substitute buffalo sauce for some of the pasta sauce and add diced cooked chicken and blue cheese crumbles. For a breakfast twist, use scrambled eggs, cooked breakfast sausage, and cheddar cheese.

Serving Suggestions

While these rolls are delicious on their own, serving them with a side of warm marinara sauce for dipping takes them to the next level. For a complete meal, pair with a simple Caesar salad or roasted vegetables. They also make excellent school lunch options when packed in an insulated container. For entertaining, I like to place the hot skillet on a wooden board in the center of the table with small ramekins of marinara, ranch dressing, and pesto for dipping variety.

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Commonly Asked Questions

→ Can I use homemade pizza dough instead of frozen?

Absolutely! While the recipe calls for frozen dough for convenience, homemade pizza dough works wonderfully. Just ensure it's rolled to the same 16x10-inch rectangle dimension for proper filling distribution and cooking time.

→ What can I use if I don't have a cast-iron skillet?

If you don't have a cast-iron skillet, a 9-inch round baking pan works well as mentioned in the recipe. You can also use a square baking dish of similar size, though you might miss some of the excellent browning that cast-iron provides.

→ Can I prepare these rolls ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the rolls up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate them (unbaked) in the skillet covered with plastic wrap. Allow them to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking. You can also freeze the assembled unbaked rolls for up to a month.

→ How can I make these vegetarian?

To make these vegetarian, simply omit the pepperoni and Italian sausage. Consider substituting with sautéed vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, and onions, or adding olives and artichoke hearts for a Mediterranean twist.

→ What dipping sauces work well with these rolls?

While warm marinara is the classic pairing, these rolls also taste delicious with garlic butter, ranch dressing, or a spicy arrabbiata sauce. For something different, try a creamy pesto dip or a balsamic glaze drizzle.

→ Can I add other pizza toppings to the filling?

Absolutely! As Dorothy Smith suggests, use whatever pizza toppings your family enjoys. Consider adding vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms (pre-cook vegetables with high water content), different cheeses like provolone or fontina, or herbs like oregano and thyme.