Craving a crowd-pleasing appetizer that will make your guests go wild? Imagine all the mouthwatering flavors of pizza, cleverly wrapped in a crispy, golden crescent roll that delivers a cheesy, saucy surprise in every single bite! These Inside Out Pizza Appetizers are not just a snack - they're a culinary adventure that transforms the classic pizza experience into a handheld, irresistible treat that will have everyone asking for your secret recipe.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers
- 1/2 cup sliced olives
- 1 package refrigerated crescent roll dough
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that the crescent roll dough will bake evenly and become golden brown.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook it thoroughly, breaking it apart with a spatula until it is browned and no longer pink, about 7-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Once the beef is cooked, reduce the heat to low and stir in the pizza sauce. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 3-5 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.
- While the beef and sauce are simmering, prepare your vegetables. Dice the bell peppers and slice the olives. Set aside.
- Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the diced bell peppers, sliced olives, and 1/2 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Mix until everything is well combined.
- Open the package of refrigerated crescent roll dough. Unroll the dough and separate it into individual triangles on a clean surface.
- Take a spoonful of the beef and cheese mixture and place it at the wider end of each triangle of dough. Be careful not to overfill, as you want to be able to roll them up without spilling the filling.
- Starting from the wide end, roll the dough over the filling towards the pointed end. Pinch the edges to seal the filling inside and place each rolled appetizer seam-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Once all the appetizers are rolled, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of each one for an extra cheesy finish.
- Bake the appetizers in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crescent roll dough is golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the inside-out pizza appetizers cool for a few minutes before serving. They can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
- Serve with additional pizza sauce on the side for dipping, if desired. Enjoy your delicious Italian-inspired appetizer!
Tips
- Drain ground beef thoroughly to prevent soggy appetizers
- Don't overfill the crescent roll triangles - this helps ensure clean, neat rolls
- Use parchment paper for easy cleanup and prevent sticking
- For extra flavor, consider adding dried Italian herbs to the beef mixture
- Let appetizers cool slightly before serving to prevent burning mouths
- Experiment with different cheese blends like adding some parmesan
- These can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking
- Serve with marinara or ranch dressing for additional dipping options
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 45mg
