If you want something that feels like a cozy, indulgent deep dish pizza—but takes almost no effort... this is it!
Soft, buttery rolls turn into the perfect little pizza boats with crispy edges, melty cheese, and a saucy, garlicky center. It’s fast, customizable, and honestly… dangerously good!
If you love easy meals like this one, you are going to LOVE my Creamy Garlic Tomato Pasta, Lasagna Soup & my Creamy Pesto Pasta!
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Ingredients
- Dinner Rolls
- Butter
- Garlic cloves
- Tomato sauce
- Ketchup
- Marble cheese
- Polish sausage
- Red onion
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions & Video
Preheat the oven & add garlic butter!
Add the tomato base!
Add the marble cheese & any toppings you'd like!
Serve & enjoy!
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, minced garlic, and parsley to make your garlic butter.
- In another bowl, stir together the tomato sauce, ketchup, and Italian seasoning.
- Place the thawed rolls onto your baking tray. Gently press down the center of each roll to create a well, leaving a small border around the edges so it holds that “deep dish” shape.
- Brush the inside of each roll with the garlic butter. Spoon in the tomato base, then top with cheese, sausage, and red onion.
- Bake for about 18–20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are golden and slightly crispy.
- Let cool slightly and serve warm. (WATCH VIDEO BELOW)
Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card with all the quantities:)
Substitutions
- Polish sausage → pepperoni / ground beef / grilled chicken / rotisserie chicken
- Marble cheese → mozzarella / mozzarella + cheddar / mozzarella + parmesan
- Fresh parsley → dried parsley / Italian seasoning / omit
- Tomato sauce + ketchup → pizza sauce / marinara
- Red onion → white onion / shallot / omit
- Garlic cloves → garlic powder
- Yeast rolls → any soft dinner rolls / brioche buns
Equipment
- Baking tray
- Parchment paper
- Small mixing bowls
- Spoon
- Knife and cutting board
Storage
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, pop them in the oven or air fryer to bring back that crispy edge. The microwave works too, but they’ll be softer.
Top tips for Success!
- Don’t press the rolls too thin...you want a soft, fluffy base with a defined edge to hold everything in.
- Go light on the sauce so the rolls don’t get soggy.
- Shred your own cheese if you can...it melts way better.
FAQs
Can I make these ahead of time?
You can prep everything ahead, but assemble right before baking so the rolls don’t get soggy.
Can I use frozen rolls straight away?
No—make sure they’re fully thawed so they’re soft and easy to shape.
Can I make these in the air fryer?
Yes, just reduce the cooking time slightly and keep an eye on them so they don’t burn.
You can prep everything ahead, but assemble right before baking so the rolls don’t get soggy.
Yes, but then bake at 300F for 30-35 minutes!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite desserts to serve with this deep dish pizza recipe:
20-Min Easy Deep Dish Pizza Rolls
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Make the garlic butter: In a small bowl, mix together melted butter, garlic, and parsley. Set aside.
- Prepare the sauce: In another bowl, combine tomato sauce, ketchup, and Italian seasoning.
- Preheat the oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Shape the rolls: Place the thawed rolls on the tray. Gently press down the center of each roll to create a well, leaving a slight border around the edges for that “deep dish” crust.
- Assemble: Brush each roll with garlic butter, then spoon in the tomato base. Top with cheese, sausage, and red onion.
- Bake: Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until golden, bubbly, and slightly crispy on the edges.
Notes
Food safety
We sometimes take for a granted that we have years (or decades) of cooking experience, that the average visitor may not. Add to, or remove from, the list below with health and safety tips.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
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