Easy Pizza Roll Ups

Easy Pizza Roll Ups are the ultimate weeknight dinner hack when you want homemade pizza flavor without all the work. I started making these when my kids began requesting pizza every single night, and honestly, they’ve become one of my go-to recipes for busy evenings.

The first time I rolled these up in my kitchen, I was skeptical they’d actually taste like pizza. But when I pulled them from the oven and watched that melted cheese bubble up, I knew I’d found something special. These Easy Pizza Roll Ups combine all your favorite pizza toppings wrapped in golden, flaky dough that bakes up crispy on the outside and stays soft inside. They’re perfect for game day snacks, school lunches, or when you need a quick dinner that everyone will actually eat. The best part? You can customize them with whatever pizza toppings your family loves most.

What You’ll Need to Make Pizza Roll Ups

Before you start rolling, let me walk you through what makes these Easy Pizza Roll Ups so delicious. I always use ground beef or Italian sausage because the seasoned meat adds incredible flavor, but you can swap in ground turkey if you prefer. Pro tip: drain that fat really well or your dough might get soggy.

• 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage
• 1 cup pizza sauce (I prefer a thicker sauce to avoid sogginess)
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated melts better)
• ½ cup pepperoni, chopped
• 1 (13.8 oz) can refrigerated pizza dough
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

My go-to tip: Let the refrigerated dough sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before unrolling. It makes it much easier to work with and less likely to tear.

How to Make These Delicious Roll Ups

I recommend prepping your baking sheet first so everything goes smoothly once you start rolling. Trust me, having everything ready makes this process so much easier.

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef or Italian sausage over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes until completely browned with no pink remaining. Drain any excess fat thoroughly. You should see the meat crumbled into small pieces and deeply browned for maximum flavor.

Step 3: Stir in the pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat and let it cool for about 5 minutes. This cooling step is crucial for preventing soggy dough.

Step 4: Unroll the pizza dough onto a lightly floured surface. If the dough springs back, use a rolling pin to gently shape it into a 12×9 inch rectangle. The dough should be about ¼ inch thick.

Step 5: Spread the cooled meat mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a ½ inch border around all edges. This border helps seal the roll and prevents filling from spilling out during baking.

Step 6: Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and chopped pepperoni over the meat mixture. Press down gently so everything sticks together. I like to add a little extra cheese on the edges for maximum cheesiness.

Step 7: Starting from one of the long sides, carefully roll the dough up into a tight log, just like a jelly roll. Keep it tight but don’t squeeze too hard or the filling will push out the ends. The roll should be about 12 inches long.

Step 8: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the log into 1-inch thick rounds. You should get about 10-12 pizza roll ups. Pro tip: wipe your knife between cuts for cleaner slices, or use unflavored dental floss for perfect rounds every time.

Step 9: Place the slices cut-side up on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 2 inches apart. They’ll expand slightly as they bake.

Step 10: Brush the tops of the roll ups with olive oil. This creates a beautiful golden crust and adds extra flavor.

Step 11: Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Watch for the edges to turn crispy and the cheese to start browning slightly. If you want extra crispiness, broil for the last 1-2 minutes, but watch them closely.

Step 12: Let the Easy Pizza Roll Ups cool for 3-4 minutes before serving. Serve warm with extra pizza sauce for dipping.

Perfect Pairings for Your Pizza Roll Ups

These roll ups pair beautifully with classic Italian sides that complement the rich pizza flavors.

Caesar Salad: The crisp romaine and tangy dressing cut through the richness of the cheese and meat, creating perfect balance on your plate.

Garlic Breadsticks: Because you can never have too much carbs with your pizza flavors, and kids especially love this combination for dipping in marinara.

Roasted Vegetables: Try zucchini, bell peppers, or broccoli tossed with olive oil and Italian seasoning for a lighter, nutritious side that adds color and vegetables to your meal.

Italian Chopped Salad: Diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion with Italian dressing provide a fresh, crunchy contrast to the warm, cheesy roll ups.

Antipasto Platter: Olives, marinated artichokes, and salami make this feel like a complete Italian feast, perfect for game day gatherings.

More Tasty Ideas to Serve Alongside Pizza Roll Ups

These Easy Pizza Roll Ups work wonderfully as part of a larger meal spread that brings variety to the dinner table. When serving these at gatherings, consider pairing them with hearty comfort foods like Cheeseburger Soup or Mac Cheese Burger Soup for a filling, crowd-pleasing menu that balances different flavor profiles.

For a complete party spread, these roll ups complement other handheld favorites beautifully. Serve them alongside Cheesy Pepperoni Pizza Roll Ups for variety, or pair with Easy Pizza Grilled Cheese and Hawaiian Roll Grilled Cheese for a fun pizza-themed dinner night that keeps everyone happy.

Keeping Your Roll Ups Fresh

Store leftover Easy Pizza Roll Ups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They actually taste amazing cold straight from the fridge, which makes them perfect for lunch boxes.

For reheating, I recommend using your oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes to get that crispy exterior back. The microwave works in a pinch (30-60 seconds), but the dough will be softer. If you microwave them, place a paper towel underneath to absorb moisture.

Pro tip: these freeze beautifully! Place cooled roll ups in a freezer-safe bag with parchment paper between layers. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. Reheat frozen roll ups directly in the oven at 350°F for about 15-18 minutes, no thawing needed.

Your Pizza Roll Up Questions Answered

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