Introduction

Cheesy Stuffed Garlic Bread Rolls are a fun and delicious appetizer or snack, perfect for game days or casual gatherings. Soft pizza dough is filled with gooey cheese, baked to golden perfection, and topped with a flavorful garlic herb butter. Serve them warm with marinara sauce for dipping.

Cheesy Stuffed Garlic Bread Rolls Recipe - Recipe Image

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, cheddar)
Marinara sauce for serving

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Cut the mozzarella string cheese sticks into 1-inch pieces (each stick yields about 4 pieces; total 32 pieces). If using Land O Lakes Cheese Cubes, skip this step. Then, divide the pizza dough into 32 equal pieces using a knife, bench scraper, or scale for precision.
Step 3: Press each dough piece into a small rectangle with your fingers. Place one piece of cheese in the center, wrap the dough around it, pinch the edges closed, and roll into a smooth ball.
Step 4: Arrange the dough balls seam-side down on the baking sheet in the shape of a football. Use about 16 dough balls to form the outer rim and place the remaining balls in the middle. Be sure they are touching but not overcrowded.
Step 5: Brush the tops of the dough balls with milk or beaten egg and sprinkle with flaky sea salt if desired. Bake for 18 minutes, then switch your oven to broil and broil for 2-3 minutes until the tops turn golden brown. Allow the rolls to cool slightly.
Step 6: In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter, parmesan cheese, minced garlic, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper. Brush this mixture over the warm rolls.
Step 7: Cut the slice of cheese into 7 thin rectangles. Lay them over the top of the rolls to resemble football laces.
Step 8: Serve the rolls warm alongside marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

Use fresh herbs like oregano or thyme instead of basil and parsley for a different flavor profile.
Try adding pepperoni or cooked sausage inside the dough for a meatier option.
Brush the dough with garlic butter before baking for extra garlicky goodness.
For a crispier crust, bake the rolls a few extra minutes before broiling.

Storage

Store leftover garlic bread rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm them in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes until heated through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving to keep the crust from becoming soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use pre-made pizza dough for this recipe?

Yes, store-bought pizza dough works perfectly and saves time. Just make sure to portion it evenly for best results.

What cheeses work best inside the rolls?

String cheese and small cheese cubes melt nicely and are easy to portion. Mozzarella is mild and gooey, but you can also experiment with provolone, cheddar, or Italian blend cheeses for more flavor.

Cheesy Stuffed Garlic Bread Rolls 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 savory garlic herb butter and topped to look like football laces. Serve them warm with marinara sauce for a crowd-pleasing treat that’s both flavorful and visually fun.

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

Ingredients

Scale

Dough and Cheese

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)

Egg Wash

½ tbsp milk (or 1 egg)
Flaky sea salt (optional)

Garlic Herb Butter

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

To Serve

Marinara sauce, warmed

Instructions

Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Prepare cheese and dough pieces: Cut the mozzarella string cheese into 1-inch pieces, yielding about 32 pieces total. If using Land O Lakes cheese cubes, skip this step. Then divide the pizza dough into 30-32 equal pieces, using a knife or bench scraper. Use a kitchen scale for uniform sizing, if desired.
Shape rolls: Flatten each dough piece into a small rectangle with your fingers. Place a piece of cheese in the center, wrap the dough around it, pinch closed to seal, and roll into a smooth ball.
Arrange dough balls: Place the dough balls seam side down on the parchment-lined baking sheet, shaping them into a football shape. Use about 16 balls for the outer rim and the rest for the interior. Make sure the balls are touching but have some space.
Apply wash and bake: Brush the top of the dough balls with milk or whisked egg. Sprinkle flaky sea salt over them, if using. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 minutes. Then switch to broil and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the tops are golden brown. Remove and allow to cool slightly.
Make and brush garlic herb butter: In a medium bowl, combine melted butter, grated Parmesan, minced garlic, chopped parsley, chopped basil, salt, and pepper. Brush this flavorful mixture evenly over the hot rolls.
Add cheese laces: Cut the slice of cheese into 7 thin rectangular strips. Arrange these strips on top of the rolls to mimic the lace pattern on a football.
Serve: Serve the cheesy stuffed garlic bread rolls warm with marinara sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy your delicious, game-day inspired appetizer!

Notes

If you don’t have string cheese, small cubes of any melty cheese like mozzarella or a creamy Italian blend work well.
For a richer wash, use the egg instead of milk for a beautiful golden shine.
Make sure to seal the dough tightly around the cheese to prevent leaks during baking.
These rolls are best served warm on the same day but can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes.
Fresh herbs add bright flavor, but dried herbs can be used if fresh isn’t available—just reduce quantity.

Keywords: stuffed garlic bread, cheesy bread rolls, game day appetizer, football bread rolls, baked cheese rolls