Store-bought pizza crust dough is packed with Italian sausage and two kinds of cheeses and fashioned into pumpkin-shaped buns.
Mini Stuffed Pizza Buns
Makes 12
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup cooked and crumbled sweet Italian sausage
- ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 14 ounces refrigerated pizza crust dough
- 36 (5-inch-long) pieces butcher’s twine
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- Marinara sauce, to serve
- Garnish: fresh oregano
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, stir together sausage and cheeses.
- On a lightly floured surface, cut dough into 12 equal portions. Using a rolling pin, roll out each dough portion to a ¼-inch thickness.
- Using a 2-teaspoon levered scoop, portion sausage mixture into center of each dough portion. Referring to how-to photographs, and working with one dough portion at a time, fold dough edges over filling into one central point, pinching edges together to seal bun (Photos 1 to 7 below).
- On a clean work surface, arrange 3 twine pieces in a crisscross pattern, intersecting at center of twine (Photo 8). Center one bun, smooth side down, on top of twine (Photo 9). Working with one twine piece at a time, bring opposite ends of twine pieces together over bun and tie together snuggly, but not too tight, or it will tear dough (Photos 10 to 12). Trim excess twine and place knot-side down on prepared baking sheet. Continue with remaining twine and buns.
- Using a pastry brush, lightly coat buns with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic salt.
- Bake buns until golden brown, approximately 10 minutes. Let cool slightly before clipping and removing twine from buns. Serve buns warm with marinara sauce on the side.
- Garnish with oregano, if desired.
Adorable! These remind me of peaches….. which is perfect for a bridal tea party in honor of my daughter, Georgia:) Can these be made ahead and frozen to be baked the morning of the party? Thank you for sharing!