If you love the cozy, comforting flavors of pizza but want a fun, handheld twist, this Italian Sausage Pizza Rolls Recipe is going to be your new best friend in the kitchen. Imagine tender pizza dough rolled up with a savory, garlicky sausage filling, vibrant peppers, and a luscious tomato sauce, all baked to golden perfection. These rolls bring together all the classic pizza tastes in a perfectly portable bite, making them ideal for sharing at family dinners, game nights, or casual get-togethers. Once you make them, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for plain pizza slices!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These straightforward ingredients are the heart and soul of your Italian Sausage Pizza Rolls Recipe. Each one plays a vital role in building layers of flavor, texture, and color, making the final rolls irresistibly delicious.
- Italian sausage: Provides a rich, spiced meatiness that’s the star protein of this dish.
- Chopped onion: Adds sweetness and depth once sautéed.
- Chopped green bell pepper: Offers a fresh, slightly crunchy bite and a pop of color.
- Chopped red bell pepper: Brings natural sweetness and vibrant, eye-catching red hues.
- Tomato sauce: Creates a saucy base that keeps the filling moist and flavorful.
- Tomato paste: Intensifies the sauce with concentrated tomato richness.
- Dried oregano: Infuses an earthy, herbaceous aroma reminiscent of classic Italian flavors.
- Dried basil: Adds a sweet, aromatic hint that brightens the sauce.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance every ingredient.
- Refrigerated pizza dough: Convenient, soft, and stretchy, this forms the perfect pizza roll exterior.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts into gooey, stringy pockets of cheesy goodness.
- Grated Parmesan cheese: Sprinkles a sharp, nutty flavor to complement the mozzarella.
How to Make Italian Sausage Pizza Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Italian Sausage
Start by browning the Italian sausage in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir it frequently to break it into small, crumbly pieces. Once it’s fully cooked, drain off any excess grease to keep your filling flavorful but not oily.
Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables
Next, toss in the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper. Cook them with the sausage until the veggies soften, usually around five minutes, allowing their natural sweetness to melt perfectly into the mixture.
Step 3: Simmer the Sauce
Add in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together and let it simmer gently until the sauce thickens slightly. This step intensifies all the flavors and creates the luscious base for your rolls.
Step 4: Prepare the Dough
Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the refrigerated pizza dough into a large 12 by 18-inch rectangle. This gives you plenty of space for layering and rolling.
Step 5: Spread the Sauce
Evenly spread your thickened sausage sauce across the dough, but be sure to leave a 1-inch border all around. This border helps seal the roll later and keeps the filling beautifully contained.
Step 6: Add the Cheeses
Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan evenly over the sauce. The combination of these two cheeses ensures every bite is gooey and flavorful with a hint of nutty sharpness.
Step 7: Roll it Up
Starting at one of the long sides, roll the dough up tightly into a log. The tighter the roll, the neater and more uniform your pizza rolls will be, which is perfect for even baking.
Step 8: Slice into Rolls
Use a sharp knife to cut your log into 12 equal-sized pieces. This gives you perfectly portioned pizza rolls for sharing or snacking later.
Step 9: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the pizza rolls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they’re beautifully golden brown on top and cooked through inside.
Step 10: Serve Warm
Serve these Italian sausage pizza rolls warm, and offer your favorite dipping sauces alongside for an extra burst of flavor with every bite.
How to Serve Italian Sausage Pizza Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or basil over these pizza rolls adds a lovely pop of green and fresh aroma, making them even more inviting. A dusting of extra Parmesan after baking is another tasty touch that elevates the look and taste.
Side Dishes
Pair your pizza rolls with a crisp garden salad or a bowl of mixed greens dressed simply with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. This balances the richness of the rolls beautifully and adds freshness to the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Italian Sausage Pizza Rolls Recipe on a rustic wooden board or a colorful platter to showcase their homey appeal. You can also arrange the rolls in a circular pattern with small bowls of marinara, ranch, and garlic aioli dips in the center for a fun, shareable presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover pizza rolls can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best texture, reheat them until the dough is crisp again, and the cheese is melty.
Freezing
You can freeze uncooked pizza rolls by placing the cut rolls on a baking sheet, freezing until solid, and then transferring them to a freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months, making it easy to bake fresh rolls any time you want.
Reheating
Reheat refrigerated or frozen rolls in a preheated oven at 350°F until warmed through and slightly crisp on the outside, about 10-15 minutes. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that perfect golden crust.
FAQs
Can I use ground beef instead of Italian sausage?
Absolutely! Ground beef can work as a substitute, but for that authentic spicy and flavorful kick, Italian sausage is preferred. If using beef, consider adding Italian seasoning to mimic the sausage flavor.
Is it okay to use homemade pizza dough?
Definitely. Homemade dough adds a personal touch and can be tailored to your preference for thickness and texture. Just roll it out to the suggested size and proceed as directed.
Can these pizza rolls be made vegetarian?
Yes! Swap the Italian sausage for a plant-based sausage or sauté a mix of mushrooms, zucchini, and spinach for a delicious vegetarian filling.
What dipping sauces go best with Italian Sausage Pizza Rolls Recipe?
Marinara sauce is a classic choice, but ranch, garlic aioli, or even a spicy sriracha mayo can bring exciting complementary flavors to your rolls.
How can I make sure the rolls don’t get soggy?
Make sure to drain the cooked sausage well and let your sauce thicken properly before spreading it. Also, leaving that 1-inch border on the dough helps seal the filling and keeps the crust crisp.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting about biting into warm, cheesy Italian Sausage Pizza Rolls that just feels like a big, delicious hug. This Italian Sausage Pizza Rolls Recipe is simple enough for a weeknight meal yet impressive enough for sharing with friends and family. Give it a try soon—you might just find your new favorite way to enjoy all the best parts of pizza rolled into one scrumptious bite!
Print
Italian Sausage Pizza Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
These Italian Sausage Pizza Rolls are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or snack, featuring savory Italian sausage, colorful bell peppers, and a rich tomato sauce rolled inside soft pizza dough and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Sausage Filling
- 1 pound Italian sausage, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 1 (10-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Dough & Cheese
- 1 (15-ounce) can refrigerated pizza dough
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the Italian sausage until it is browned and crumbled. Drain any excess grease to avoid sogginess in the rolls.
- Sauté the vegetables: Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper to the skillet with the sausage. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Make the sauce: Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens, approximately 5 minutes.
- Prepare the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the refrigerated pizza dough into a rectangle approximately 12 by 18 inches in size.
- Spread the sauce: Evenly spread the cooked sausage and pepper sauce over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border around the edges to help seal the roll.
- Add the cheeses: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top of the sauce layer for a rich cheesy flavor.
- Roll the dough: Starting from one of the long edges, carefully roll the dough tightly into a log shape, ensuring the filling stays inside as you roll.
- Slice into rolls: Cut the rolled dough into 12 equal pieces to create individual pizza rolls.
- Bake the rolls: Place the pizza rolls cut side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (204°C) for 15 to 20 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve warm: Let the pizza rolls cool slightly, then serve warm with your favorite dipping sauce such as marinara or ranch for a perfect appetizer or snack experience.
Notes
- For a spicier version, use hot Italian sausage or add crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- The pizza dough can be replaced with homemade dough if preferred for a fresher taste.
- To make ahead, assemble the rolls and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Serve with marinara sauce or garlic butter for extra flavor.
