Cheesy Stuffed Garlic Bread Rolls with Marinara Recipe

Introduction

These Cheesy Stuffed Garlic Bread Rolls are a fun and flavorful twist on classic garlic bread. Filled with gooey cheese and topped with a savory herb butter, they’re perfect for sharing at game day or as a comforting snack.

Ingredients

• 16-19 oz pizza dough (see note)
• 8 mozzarella string cheese sticks (or 32 Land O Lakes Creamy Italian Blend Cheese Cubes)
• ½ tbsp milk (or 1 egg)
• Flaky salt (optional)
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter (melted and cooled slightly)
• ¼ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
• 2 small cloves garlic (minced, or 1 large clove)
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley
• 1 tbsp chopped basil
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• 1 slice cheese of choice (mozzarella, provolone, or cheddar)
• Marinara sauce (for serving)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: Cut the mozzarella sticks into 1-inch pieces, about 4 pieces per stick for a total of 32. If using cheese cubes, skip this step. Then divide the pizza dough into 32 pieces using a knife or bench scraper; you can use a scale for even portions.
3. Step 3: Press each dough piece into a small rectangle. Place a cheese piece in the center, wrap the dough around it, pinch closed, and roll into a ball.
4. Step 4: Arrange the dough balls seam side down on the baking sheet in the shape of a football, using about 16 dough balls for the outer rim and the rest filling the center. Make sure they touch but are not too crowded.
5. Step 5: Brush the tops with milk or whisked egg and sprinkle with flaky salt if desired. Bake for 18 minutes, then switch the oven to broil and broil for 2-3 minutes until golden. Let cool slightly.
6. Step 6: Mix melted butter, parmesan, garlic, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Brush this herb butter over the warm rolls.
7. Step 7: Cut the slice of cheese into 7 thin rectangles and arrange them on top of the rolls to mimic football laces.
8. Step 8: Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh herbs or dried if you don’t have fresh; just reduce the quantity slightly.
• Swap mozzarella for your favorite melting cheese for different flavors.
• For extra garlic flavor, add a bit of garlic powder to the dough before shaping.
• If you want softer rolls, cover them with foil while baking for the first 15 minutes.

Storage

Store leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to maintain crispness. Avoid microwaving to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought pizza dough for this recipe?

Yes, store-bought pizza dough works perfectly and saves time without sacrificing flavor.

What can I use if I don’t have marinara sauce on hand?

You can serve these rolls with any tomato-based pasta sauce, or even a garlic butter dip for a different twist.

Cheesy Stuffed Garlic Bread Rolls with Marinara Recipe

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These Cheesy Stuffed Garlic Bread Rolls are a fun and delicious appetizer perfect for game day or any casual gathering. Soft pizza dough is stuffed with gooey mozzarella cheese, baked to golden perfection, then brushed with a flavorful garlic herb butter and topped with cheese “laces” to resemble a football shape. Serve with warm marinara sauce for dipping and enjoy a crowd-pleasing savory treat that’s bursting with cheesy goodness and aromatic herbs.

• Author: Rita
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 32 rolls 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Dough and Filling

• 16–19 oz pizza dough
• 8 mozzarella string cheese sticks (or 32 Land O Lakes Creamy Italian Blend Cheese Cubes)
• 1 slice cheese of choice (mozzarella, provolone, cheddar), cut into 7 thin rectangles
• Marinara sauce, for serving

For the Egg Wash

• ½ tbsp milk (or 1 egg, whisked)
• Flaky sea salt (optional), for sprinkling

For the Garlic Herb Butter

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter (melted and cooled slightly)
• ¼ cup finely grated parmesan cheese
• 2 small cloves garlic, minced (or 1 large clove)
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley
• 1 tbsp chopped basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
2. Prepare Cheese and Dough Pieces: Cut the mozzarella string cheese sticks into 1-inch pieces, yielding about 32 pieces total. If using Land O Lakes Creamy Italian Blend Cheese Cubes, skip this step. Next, divide the pizza dough into 32 equal pieces using a knife or bench scraper. Weigh with a scale if you want uniformity.
3. Stuff and Shape Dough Balls: Press each dough piece into a small rectangle with your fingers. Place one piece of cheese in the center, then wrap the dough around it, pinching the edges securely, and roll into a smooth ball to seal in the cheese.
4. Arrange Dough Balls on Baking Sheet: Place the dough balls seam side down onto the prepared baking sheet in the shape of a football. Use about 16 dough balls to form the outer rim of the football shape and fill the interior with the remaining dough balls. Ensure they touch but have a little space to expand without overcrowding.
5. Apply Egg Wash and Bake: Brush the tops of the dough balls with milk or whisked egg for a shiny golden crust. Optionally, sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 minutes until cooked through and lightly golden. Then switch your oven to broil and broil for an additional 2-3 minutes until the tops are a beautiful golden brown. Allow rolls to cool slightly.
6. Make Garlic Herb Butter: In a medium bowl, combine the melted, slightly cooled butter with grated parmesan, minced garlic, chopped parsley, chopped basil, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well to incorporate the herbs and flavors.
7. Brush Rolls with Herb Butter: Generously brush the garlic herb butter mixture over the tops of the warm rolls to infuse them with rich, garlicky flavor and add extra shine.
8. Add Cheese Laces: Arrange the thin rectangles of sliced cheese on top of the rolls in the pattern of football laces for a playful and appetizing presentation.
9. Serve: Serve the cheesy stuffed garlic bread rolls warm alongside a bowl of marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy this cheesy, garlicky treat with friends and family!

Notes

• Using a kitchen scale will help you cut dough pieces evenly for consistent baking.
• If you don’t have fresh pizza dough, store-bought dough in the refrigerated section works well.
• The broiling step adds a lovely golden crust, but watch closely to avoid burning.
• Use any cheese you prefer for the filling, such as provolone or cheddar, for different flavor profiles.
• Leftover rolls can be warmed in the oven and reheated with marinara for a quick snack.

Keywords: cheesy stuffed bread rolls, garlic bread rolls, stuffed pizza dough rolls, appetizer, game day snack, cheesy garlic bread, football shaped bread