This isn't your typical Pizza Roll Recipe. And they certainly aren't what you'll find in the frozen food section at your local grocery store. These are a tribute to Old Chicago's Sicilian Pepperoni Rolls. While this isn't a copycat recipe, it's similar to the overall idea. I just wanted to take them a step further and make a Meat Lovers Pizza Roll. So far, I haven't met anyone who doesn't love them! I trust you'll feel the same.
How to Make Pizza Rolls
Homemade Pizza Rolls can be called many different things. You may know them as pepperoni rolls, pepperoni pinwheels, pizza pinwheels, or pizza roll-ups. Regardless of their name, they're perfect for a party or even a quick weeknight dinner. This Pizza Roll Recipe is super easy and fun to make, especially if you have kids. My family loves to help make them, but they love eating them even more!
Pizza Roll Ingredients
- Thick Cut Bacon
- Yellow Onion
- Ground Italian Sausage
- Thinly Sliced Pepperoni
- Pillsbury Refrigerated Pizza Dough
- Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
- Italian Seasoning
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
- Shredded Parmesan Cheese
With these Pillsbury Pizza roll-ups, you don't have to make your dough.
You'll win the heart of any meat lovers pizza fan with crispy Bacon, Italian Sausage, and thin sliced Pepperoni. And who doesn't love Buttermilk Ranch Dressing!?
Instructions
Like I said before, this is super simple! Let's get this Pizza Roll Recipe started!
Preheat a Cast Iron Skillet over medium-high heat and add the bacon strips. Fry the bacon until crispy and set it aside on a cooling rack placed over a cookie sheet.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the diced onion to the same skillet. Sauté the onions until they begin turning translucent.
Now add the ground Italian Sausage to the skillet with the onions. Turn the heat to medium and brown the Sausage.
While the Sausage is cooking, cut up the bacon. Sometimes I find it easier to use cooking shears, but you can also use a sharp knife.
Once the Sausage is fully cooked, remove the skillet from the heat. If there's too much grease, drain through a strainer or colander, then place the sausage and onion mixture back into the skillet. Now, add the bacon bits to mix, stirring to combine.
Preheat your oven to 425°f and line a baking sheet with foil. The foil will make for easier clean-up.
Next, remove the Pillsbury Refrigerated Pizza Dough from its package, unroll it, and place it on a lightly floured pastry mat. Using a rolling pin, lightly roll the dough to a thin, even rectangle.
Then, using a silicone spatula, spread the buttermilk ranch all over the pizza dough.
Next, lightly sprinkle the entire pizza dough with dried Basil, Oregano, and Parsley, or conversely, use your favorite premixed Italian Seasoning. What's a great Pizza Roll Recipe without Italian Seasoning?!
Evenly place the thinly sliced pepperoni all over the pizza dough and then lightly spoon the Italian sausage mix across the top.
Please don't go TOO crazy with the Sausage; otherwise, they'll be hard to roll up. It may seem like they aren't going to hold together well in the first place.
They will...Trust me!
Generously sprinkle the entire surface of the Pizza Dough with shredded mozzarella and parmesan.
However, save some of the parmesan to top the pizza rolls.
Lastly, roll the pizza rolls up from one short side of the rectangle to the other, then slice them using a metal dough scraper.
Place the rolls on the foil-lined baking sheet, sprinkle the top with freshly shredded parmesan, and bake for 15-20 minutes.
How to Serve Homemade Pizza Rolls
Whenever I make this Pizza Roll Recipe, I serve it with two kinds of sauces. I like to use a great Arrabbiata and Marinara. If you don't already have a recipe of your own, I recommend Rao's Brand.
The Arrabbiata is a bit spicy, whereas the Marinara is a little bit more on the sweet side. This way, your family or guests can pick which one they prefer.
In Conclusion
If you're planning a football party, attending a potluck, or need something quick and easy, this recipe will be a win-win!
It's straightforward, allows for so many different variations, and just about everyone will love them.
If you love this recipe, then I think you'll equally enjoy these:
- Super Easy Bruschetta
- Jalapeño Deviled Eggs with Candied Bacon
- French Dip Sliders
- Naan Pizza
- Homemade Pizza Dough
Tell me in the comments how these turned out for you and what delicious variations you've made. I'd love to hear about other meats and flavors you've tried!
Thank you so much for stopping in at Chicken Fried Kitchen, and as usual...
Happy Cooking!
-Jeremy
📖 Recipe
Pizza Roll Recipe: A Meat Lover's Dream
Ingredients
- 3 Strips Thick Cut Bacon
- ½ lb Ground Italian Sausage
- 1 Pillsbury Refrigerated Pizza Dough
- Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
- Dried Basil
- Dried Oregano
- Dried Parsley
- 4 Oz Thinly Sliced Pepperoni
- Mozzarella Cheese - shredded
- Parmesan Cheese - shredded
FOR SERVING
- Arrabbiata, Marinara, or Your Favorite Sauce
Instructions
- Preheat a Cast Iron Skillet over medium-high heat and add the bacon strips. Fry the bacon until crispy and set it aside on a cooling rack.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the diced onion to the same skillet. Sauté the onions until they begin turning translucent.
- Add the ground Italian Sausage to the skillet with the onions. Turn the heat to medium and brown the Sausage.
- While the Sausage is cooking, cut up the bacon.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. If there's too much grease, strain in a colander.
- Place the sausage and onion mixture back into the skillet with the bacon bits, stirring to combine.
- Preheat your oven to 425°f and line a baking sheet with foil.
- Unroll the Pizza Dough on a lightly floured pastry mat. Lightly roll the dough to a thin, even rectangle using a rolling pin.
- Using a silicone spatula, spread the buttermilk ranch all over the pizza dough.
- Lightly sprinkle the pizza dough with dried Basil, Oregano, and Parsley. Or you can also use your favorite Italian Seasoning.
- Place the thinly sliced pepperoni all over the pizza dough and lightly spoon the Italian sausage mix across the top.
- Generously sprinkle the entire surface with shredded mozzarella and parmesan—Reserve some Parmesan to sprinkle on the top of the Pizza Rolls before baking.
- Roll the pizza rolls up from one short side of the rectangle to the other, then slice them using a metal dough scraper.
- Place the rolls on the foil-lined baking sheet, sprinkle the top with freshly shredded parmesan, and bake for 15-20 minutes.
- Remove and serve with your favorite sauces. (See my recommendations above)
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