Valentine’s Day is a special occasion for families to celebrate love, and what better way to do it than with a delicious and creative meal? These pizza roses bring both fun and flavor to your dinner table. They are simple to make, and your kids will love helping out in the kitchen. This recipe won’t take much time, making it a perfect choice for busy moms who want to whip up something special.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
Pizza roses are quick to prepare, which is a win for any family meal. Minimal prep means you can spend more time enjoying the moment rather than stuck in the kitchen. Kids love getting involved in the assembly process, making it a fun family activity. Plus, everyone can customize their pizza roses according to personal preferences. Tasty, fun, and quick; this recipe ticks all the boxes!
How to Make Pizza Roses
Ingredients
- 1 can of pizza dough: This is the base for your pizza roses. Store-bought pizza dough is convenient and saves you time, so you won’t have to worry about making dough from scratch.
- Marinara sauce (1/2 cup): Marinara sauce is the classic pizza sauce, but feel free to get creative and swap it out for a different kind of sauce, like pesto or Alfredo.
- Mozzarella cheese (6-8 slices): Mozzarella is the perfect melting cheese for pizza, but you can also try other cheeses, like cheddar, provolone, or gouda, for a more complex flavor.
- Pepperoni (12-18 slices): Pepperoni is a popular pizza topping, but if you prefer something else, feel free to swap it out for veggies, sausage, or any protein of your choice.
Directions
- Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for your pizza roses.
- Lightly grease a muffin tin with cooking spray or butter. This will help your pizza roses come out easily once they’re baked.
- Open your can of pizza dough and unroll it onto a clean surface. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, slice the dough into six long strips. These strips should be about 1-2 inches wide each.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce across each strip of dough. Be sure to leave a small border along the edges so it doesn’t spill out while you roll the dough. You can adjust the sauce amount depending on how saucy you like your pizza!
- Cut mozzarella cheese into slices that will fit comfortably along the length of the dough strips. Layer the cheese over the marinara sauce.
- Arrange your pepperoni slices on top of the cheese, with half of each slice hanging off the edge of the dough. This will help create the “petals” of your pizza rose once it’s rolled up.
- Carefully roll each strip of dough into a tight rose shape. Make sure the ends are tucked underneath so the pizza rose stays intact during baking.
- Gently place each rolled pizza rose into a muffin tin. The dough will fit snugly in the muffin cup, creating a perfect rose shape.
- Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once your pizza roses are baked to perfection, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before serving. If desired, garnish with a sprinkle of fresh basil or a drizzle of olive oil for extra flavor.
Easy Pizza Roses
Delicious and creative pizza roses for a fun family meal, perfect for Valentine’s Day.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 can of pizza dough
- 1/2 cup marinara sauce
- 6–8 slices mozzarella cheese
- 12–18 slices pepperoni
Instructions
- Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Lightly grease a muffin tin with cooking spray or butter.
- Open the can of pizza dough and unroll it. Slice the dough into six long strips, about 1-2 inches wide.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce across each strip, leaving a small border.
- Cut mozzarella cheese into slices and layer over the sauce.
- Arrange pepperoni slices on top of the cheese, with half hanging off the edge.
- Roll each strip tightly into a rose shape, tucking the ends underneath.
- Place the rolled pizza roses into the muffin tin.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
- Allow to cool slightly before serving, and garnish with fresh basil or olive oil if desired.
Notes
Get creative with toppings like vegetables or different sauces. Can be made ahead and refrigerated.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Omnivore
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
How to Serve
Pizza roses make a delightful main dish that you can serve with a side salad or some fresh veggies. They are great for family dinners, but they also shine at parties or gatherings. Pair them with dipping sauces like ranch or extra marinara for a fun twist.
How to Store
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay fresh for up to three days. To reheat, simply pop them in the microwave for about 30 seconds or warm them in the oven at 350°F until heated through.
Tips and Variations
Get creative with toppings! Use your family’s favorite vegetables, different cheeses, or even switch to a barbecue or buffalo sauce base. You can also make mini versions by cutting the dough strips smaller or using a mini muffin tin for bite-sized treats.
FAQs
Can I make pizza roses ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the pizza roses and place them in the muffin tin, then cover and refrigerate until you are ready to bake them.
What if I don’t have a muffin tin?
If you don’t have a muffin tin, you can roll the pizza roses and place them on a baking sheet. Just make sure to leave space between them so they don’t stick together.
Can I freeze pizza roses?
Absolutely! You can freeze them before baking. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then store them in a freezer-safe container. Bake them straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Conclusion
These pizza roses are a delightful way to celebrate love this Valentine’s Day. They combine fun, flavor, and family time, making them a perfect treat for everyone at the table. Give this recipe a try, and save it for later to keep the love alive in your kitchen. Enjoy!
