Pizza Rolls With Garlic Butter

Pizza rolls bring all the best parts of a pizza into one neat, cheesy bite. Soft dough swirled with savory garlic butter makes each roll melt in your mouth with a perfect balance of rich and fresh flavors.

These little rolls are just as good fresh from the oven as they are dipped in your favorite sauce or savored on their own.

They carry the charm of a casual Italian snack—simple, comforting, and made with a little love in every swirl.

Ingredients

These pizza rolls are a cozy treat, all swirled up with rich garlic butter and sprinkled with herbs to bring out those classic Italian flavors. The combination is simple but full of heart—just what you want when you need a bite that feels like a warm kitchen on a chilly evening.

• 1 package refrigerated pizza dough
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• Salt, a pinch
• Black pepper, a pinch

Instructions

These pizza rolls come together beautifully, layering gooey cheese and tangy marinara inside a soft dough embrace, then finishing with buttery garlic and fresh herbs that make every bite a tiny celebration of Italian flavors. Let’s get rolling!

1. Preheat your oven: Set it to 375°F (190°C) so it’s ready to bake your rolls into golden, melty perfection.
2. Prepare the garlic butter: In a small bowl, mix the melted unsalted butter with minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, dried oregano, dried basil, a pinch of salt, and black pepper; this will soak into the dough and add that rich, savory note.
3. Roll out the dough: On a clean surface, unroll the refrigerated pizza dough into a large rectangle about 12×10 inches; if it resists, let it sit for a few minutes to relax.
4. Brush the dough with garlic butter: Use about half of the garlic butter mixture to gently spread a thin, even layer over the entire dough surface, making sure every corner gets some love.
5. Spread marinara sauce: Spoon the marinara sauce evenly over the garlic-buttered dough, leaving a small edge bare on one side to seal the rolls later.
6. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese: Scatter the mozzarella evenly over the marinara, covering every bit so each roll gets a cheesy center.
7. Roll and slice: Starting from the longer side, carefully roll the dough up into a tight log, pinching the edge to seal it; then slice into 1 to 1½-inch thick rolls with a sharp knife.
8. Arrange rolls in a baking dish: Place the rolls cut side up, close but not touching, in a greased or parchment-lined baking dish to give them room to puff up while baking.
9. Brush with remaining garlic butter: Give each roll a good brushing with the rest of the garlic butter to keep them moist and flavorful.
10. Bake until golden: Pop the dish into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the rolls are golden brown, bubbly, and the cheese is melted just right.
11. Finish with Parmesan and parsley: Right after removing from the oven, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the hot rolls and scatter some fresh parsley on top for that final touch of color and flavor.
12. Let cool slightly before serving: Give your pizza rolls a few minutes to rest—this helps the cheese settle so each bite holds together perfectly.

Tweaks and Additions

These pizza rolls are already a treat, but there’s always room to play and make them your own. Here are some simple tweaks and additions that bring in extra flavor, texture, or a little twist without making things complicated. Remember, Italian cooking is about joy and sharing—not stress.

• Add Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: Sprinkle a pinch into the garlic butter for a gentle kick of heat that wakes up the flavors without stealing the show.
• Swap Mozzarella for a Blend: Mix mozzarella with provolone or fontina cheese for a gooey, slightly nuttier bite that melts beautifully.
• Include Thinly Sliced Pepperoni: Nestle a few pepperoni slices on top of the cheese before rolling for that classic Italian-American pizza vibe in every bite.
• Mix Fresh Spinach Into the Filling: Toss a handful of fresh spinach leaves over the marinara before adding cheese to sneak in some greens and a lovely fresh note.
• Use Fresh Herbs Boldly: Chop a mix of basil, oregano, and thyme, then sprinkle inside the rolls and on top just before baking for a burst of garden-fresh aroma.
• Brush with Honey-Garlic Butter After Baking: Add a subtle sweet finish by mixing a teaspoon of honey into the remaining garlic butter before brushing on the hot rolls.
• Add Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Scatter chopped sun-dried tomatoes on the sauce layer for an extra tangy, chewy bit of umami sunshine.
• Top With Toasted Pine Nuts After Baking: For a delicate crunch and a nutty flavor, sprinkle a few toasted pine nuts over the finished pizza rolls before serving—they add an unexpected charm.