Name: Pizza Roses Recipe: A Tasty Valentine’s Day Idea
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-483880H13M34S
Total time: PT-483880H13M34S
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: Pizza dough – 1 batch (enough to roll out into a rectangle or square, approx. 1/2 lb or 225g if store-bought); Marinara sauce – 1/2 cup (120ml); Mozzarella cheese (shredded) – 1 1/2 cups (150g); Pepperoni slices – 10-12 slices (or your choice of toppings, such as 1/2 cup bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, etc.); Italian seasoning – 1 tsp (optional); Olive oil – 1-2 tbsp (for brushing); Fresh basil – a handful of leaves for garnish (optional)

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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and if you’re looking for something creative, delicious, and fun to make, these pizza roses are the perfect treat. Imagine savory pizza ingredients wrapped up like beautiful, edible roses. It’s a charming idea that’s bound to impress your loved ones (or yourself!). You don’t need to be a professional chef to pull this off – trust me, it’s simpler than it looks and incredibly tasty. Here’s how to make your own pizza roses, whether you’re celebrating with someone special or treating yourself to something yummy!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe is not just a feast for the stomach, but also a feast for the eyes. These pizza roses are the perfect combination of crispy pizza crust, melted cheese, tangy sauce, and all your favorite pizza toppings – rolled up in a fun, rose-like shape. Plus, it’s a great way to involve the kids or your significant other in the kitchen! If you’re in the mood to try something unique for Valentine’s Day or any occasion, this is a recipe you’ll want to keep on hand. It’s quick, easy, and utterly satisfying.

You’ll find the full list of ingredients at the end of the post, but here’s a little preview: pizza dough, marinara sauce, mozzarella, and your favorite toppings. Keep reading for the full details.

Ingredients

Pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
Marinara sauce
Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
Pepperoni slices (or any toppings of your choice like bell peppers, olives, etc.)
Italian seasoning (optional)
Olive oil (for brushing)
Fresh basil (for garnish, optional)

Full list of ingredients can be found below in the recipe card.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare Your Dough

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the pizza dough on a lightly floured surface into a rectangle or square shape – just big enough for you to create your pizza roses. If you’re using store-bought dough, it’s super easy, but if you’ve got homemade dough, make sure it’s well-rested and easy to stretch.

Step 2: Add the Marinara Sauce

Once the dough is rolled out, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce over the surface, leaving a small border around the edges. You don’t want too much sauce, just enough to give the roses that delicious tangy flavor. Be careful not to overdo it, as too much sauce can make the dough soggy.

Step 3: Layer with Cheese and Toppings

Next, sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce. Then, arrange your toppings. If you’re using pepperoni, place the slices evenly across the dough, or add other toppings like mushrooms, bell peppers, or olives. You can get creative here depending on your flavor preferences!

Step 4: Slice the Dough

Now comes the fun part! Slice the dough into strips, about 1.5 inches wide. Each strip will become one “rose,” so make sure they’re not too thin, or the rose shape might not hold.

Step 5: Roll the Strips

Starting at one end of each strip, roll them up gently to create a spiral shape. Tuck the edges in a bit so that the filling stays inside, but keep the rose shape as neat as possible.

Step 6: Bake Your Pizza Roses

Place each rolled-up “rose” into a muffin tin. Lightly brush the tops with olive oil and sprinkle with some Italian seasoning if you like. Bake them for 15-18 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden, and the crust has turned crispy. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t burn!

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Once the pizza roses are out of the oven, let them cool for a minute or two. Garnish with fresh basil leaves for that extra pop of color and flavor. Serve immediately while the cheese is still gooey and the crust is nice and crispy. Enjoy the compliments you’re sure to get!

Expert Tips and Tricks

Use a muffin tin for a perfect shape: The muffin tin not only helps hold the pizza roses upright, but it also creates that beautiful rose shape as they bake.
Experiment with fillings: Don’t limit yourself to just pepperoni and cheese. Try adding cooked sausage, roasted vegetables, or even a sprinkle of garlic powder to kick up the flavor!
Make the dough in advance: If you’re short on time, you can prepare your pizza dough the night before and let it rest in the fridge overnight. This way, you can quickly assemble your pizza roses the next day.
Brush with garlic butter: For extra flavor, brush the edges of the dough with melted garlic butter before baking. It adds a wonderful savory richness.

Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions

Dough substitutions: If you’re gluten-free, you can use gluten-free pizza dough. You could also use puff pastry for a flakier result.
Vegetarian options: Try using a variety of vegetables like mushrooms, onions, and spinach as toppings. You can also replace mozzarella with a dairy-free cheese if needed.
Spicy kick: Add some crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat if you love spicy foods.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

These pizza roses make a perfect appetizer or snack for Valentine’s Day, but they also work as a fun dinner option. Pair them with a side of marinara sauce for dipping. A simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette complements these cheesy little treats beautifully. You could also serve them with a light Italian white wine or sparkling water to balance out the richness.

Storage and Reheating Tips

If you have any leftovers (though I doubt it!), you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, place them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until they’re warm and the cheese is nice and melty again. You can also reheat them in the microwave, but the texture won’t be quite as crisp.

4 FAQs

Can I make the pizza roses ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the pizza roses the night before and keep them covered in the fridge. Just pop them in the oven the next day to bake.
Can I freeze the pizza roses?
Absolutely! You can freeze the rolled-up pizza roses before baking. Place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, just pop them into a preheated oven straight from the freezer and bake as usual (you might need a couple extra minutes).
What other toppings can I use?
The beauty of pizza roses is that you can use any toppings you love! Try olives, mushrooms, spinach, sausage, or even some crumbled feta or parmesan cheese.
Can I make these with puff pastry?
Yes, you can use puff pastry instead of pizza dough for a flakier, buttery version of pizza roses. Just make sure to adjust the baking time as puff pastry cooks a little quicker.

Conclusion

These pizza roses are a fun, creative, and mouth-watering way to celebrate Valentine’s Day (or any day, really). With a combination of cheesy goodness, savory toppings, and a beautiful rose shape, it’s the perfect way to show someone you care. Plus, they’re easy to make and sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. So, grab your ingredients and get ready to impress – these little pizza treats will steal the show!

Pizza Roses Recipe: A Tasty Valentine’s Day Idea

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Author: Emily
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
Total Time: 30-35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Appetizer, Snack, Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian, American
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Pizza roses are a fun and creative way to celebrate Valentine’s Day (or any occasion). With savory pizza dough wrapped into rose shapes, filled with melted mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, and your favorite toppings, this dish combines delicious flavor and a beautiful presentation. They’re easy to make and perfect for impressing loved ones.

Ingredients

Pizza dough – 1 batch (enough to roll out into a rectangle or square, approx. 1/2 lb or 225g if store-bought)
Marinara sauce – 1/2 cup (120ml)
Mozzarella cheese (shredded) – 1 1/2 cups (150g)
Pepperoni slices – 10-12 slices (or your choice of toppings, such as 1/2 cup bell peppers, mushrooms, olives, etc.)
Italian seasoning – 1 tsp (optional)
Olive oil – 1-2 tbsp (for brushing)
Fresh basil – a handful of leaves for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Prepare Your Dough: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll the pizza dough into a rectangle or square shape.
Add the Marinara Sauce: Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
Layer with Cheese and Toppings: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce, then add your toppings (e.g., pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, etc.).
Slice the Dough: Cut the dough into strips (about 1.5 inches wide).
Roll the Strips: Starting at one end of each strip, roll them up gently into a spiral shape.
Bake the Pizza Roses: Place the rolled strips into a muffin tin, brush with olive oil, and sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden and bubbly.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh basil and serve immediately while hot.