Pizza Rolls Recipe With Pesto Kid Approved

Pizza Rolls Recipe

Pizza rolls—which is a spiral of pizza dough, sauce, and cheese that get baked in a muffin tin—are a staple in our house. They only involve a few ingredients, they have a comforting mix of bread, cheese, and flavor. Plus, this pesto version has a dose of greens in the mix too. You can make this pizza rolls recipe with store-bought or homemade pizza dough. And purchased or homemade pesto. Whether you make these homemade pizza rolls as a make-ahead option for lunch, as an easy dinner, or as a freezer meal, I think you and the kids will love them. They’re such a fun way to serve pizza to kids. Once you do the rolling and slicing once, you’ll be a total pro. (The only real trick is to cut them with a serrated knife.) Plus: It’s so nice to serve up veggies that are actually fun to eat! Pesto counts as a vegetable in our house and it’s one of the best ways I’ve found to get my kids to eat kale and spinach. When you blend greens with Parmesan and olive oil, it magically transforms into a delicious pesto spread that pairs amazingly well with pizza dough and cheese (or pasta, of course). TIP: They’re perfectly portioned for a toddler’s mealtime, though older kids and adults may need more than one.

Ingredients You Need

To make this recipe, you’ll need these ingredients, which you can pick up at any grocery store. (I like to use baby kale if using kale since it’s usually more tender.) Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox.

Pizza dough: You can use homemade pizza dough or store-bought dough.Kale or spinach pesto (or any store-bought pesto you like)Shredded mozzarella cheese: This melts easily and lends the classic pesto pizza flavor.Grated Parmesan cheese to enhance the flavors even more.Sliced salami, shredded spinach, optional as fillings. Use thinly sliced salami to make sure it’s easy to eat and bite into for little ones once cooked.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a look at the process involved in making this recipe. It’s pretty easy once you get the hang of the rolling and slicing! Scroll down to the bottom of this post for the full recipe.

How do you make pizza rolls?

You make pizza rolls by stretching out pizza dough into a big rectangle, spreading on toppings, rolling up, slicing into spirals, and baking in a muffin pan in the oven.

Which pizza dough is best for this?

You can make your own homemade pizza dough or use a fresh ball of dough from the supermarket. It can be all-purpose flour or whole-wheat. They both work similarly. TIP: You’ll find our method for making homemade pizza dough in the Notes section of the recipe at the bottom of this post.

Which type of pesto works well for pizza rolls?

We love to make this with Spinach Pesto or Kale pesto, but basil pesto from the store works too.

What kind of salmi did you use?

I prefer to use reduced-sodium and very thinly sliced salami here to ensure that it’s easy to chew. You could also use pepperoni.

How to Store

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the fridge or in a zip-lock freezer bag with as much air removed as possible in the freezer for up to 3 months. To serve from frozen, place on a plate and microwave for 30-60 seconds or until warm.

Best Tips for Success

Use thinly sliced salami if using to ensure that it’s easy to chew or omit it all together.Take your time rolling up the dough and fillings to keep it in place. It’s easiest if you place the dough on top of a big piece of parchment paper and use it to help you roll the dough up.Start slicing them in the center, then slice each half into even slices. Use a serrated knife.Use homemade pizza dough and homemade pesto, or store-bought pesto or dough.

We’d love to hear your feedback if you make this recipe if you try it for your kids, so please comment below!