Name: Pizza Rolls
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 loaf (1 pound) frozen pizza dough, thawed; 1/2 cup pasta sauce; 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided; 1 cup coarsely chopped pepperoni (about 64 slices); 1/2 pound bulk Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled, optional; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; Minced fresh basil, optional; Crushed red pepper flakes, optional

This cheesy, pepperoni-studded pizza rolls recipe is so much fun to make! Serve the handheld snacks with warm marinara as a party appetizer, or pair each roll with a side salad for pizza night with the family.

Ingredients

1 loaf (1 pound) frozen pizza dough, thawed

1/2 cup pasta sauce

1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided

1 cup coarsely chopped pepperoni (about 64 slices)

1/2 pound bulk Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled, optional

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Minced fresh basil, optional

Crushed red pepper flakes, optional

Instructions

1 Prepare the pizza dough

2 Preheat the oven to 400°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 16x10-inch rectangle. Brush with pasta sauce to within 1/2 inch of the edges.

3 Add the toppings, and roll up

4 Sprinkle with 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, sausage (if desired) and Parmesan cheese. Roll the dough up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side. Pinch the seam to seal.

5 Cut the dough into eight slices. Arrange the slices in a greased 9-inch cast-iron skillet or greased 9-inch round baking pan, cut side down. Editor's Tip: Give the rolls a little room in the pan to stretch their wings. They will expand in the oven.

6 Bake the pizza rolls

7 Bake for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese. Bake until golden brown, 5 to 10 minutes longer. If desired, serve with minced fresh basil and crushed red pepper flakes. Editor's Tip: Prefer a crisper pizza crust? Bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes.