Description
Transform simple pizza dough into elegant Pizza Roses for Valentine’s Day! These rose-shaped appetizers feature layers of marinara, melted mozzarella, and your favorite toppings, all baked until golden. Perfect for romantic dinners, Galentine’s parties, or special celebrations. Ready in just 30 minutes with stunning results!
Ingredients
1 pound pizza dough (room temperature)
1/2 cup thick marinara or pizza sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
24 slices pepperoni (optional, or substitute vegetables)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
12–15 fresh basil leaves
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Additional marinara sauce for dipping (warmed)
Cooking spray for greasing muffin tin
Instructions
1. Remove pizza dough from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes until pliable.
2. Preheat oven to 375°F. Generously grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray or olive oil.
3. Mix olive oil, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning in a small bowl. Set aside.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll pizza dough into a 12×16-inch rectangle, about 1/8 inch thick.
5. Spread marinara sauce evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border along one long edge.
6. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauce.
7. Distribute pepperoni slices (or other toppings) across the surface, spacing about 1 inch apart. Add torn basil leaves.
8. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough lengthwise into 12 equal strips (each about 1 inch wide).
9. Starting from one end, gently roll each strip into a spiral, keeping it somewhat loose. The toppings should be visible along the edge like rose petals.
10. Stand each rolled rose upright in a prepared muffin cup, swirled pattern facing up. Press down gently to secure.
11. Brush the top of each rose with the garlic-herb oil mixture.
12. Bake for 18-22 minutes until golden brown on top, cheese is melted and bubbly, and edges are crispy.
13. Let roses rest in the muffin tin for 3-5 minutes to set.
14. Run a butter knife around the edge of each rose and carefully lift out with a spoon onto a serving platter.
15. Garnish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan. Serve warm with additional marinara sauce for dipping.
Notes
Use thick marinara sauce to prevent soggy roses. If your sauce is thin, simmer it for 5-10 minutes to reduce.
Room temperature dough is essential—cold dough tears easily and is difficult to roll.
Don’t overfill with toppings. Too many toppings release moisture and prevent proper cooking.
For make-ahead convenience, assemble roses in the muffin tin, cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking. Add 3-5 minutes to baking time.
Freeze baked roses for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen at 350°F for 12-15 minutes.
Customize with your favorite toppings: cooked chicken, sautéed vegetables, different cheeses, or pesto.
If tops brown too quickly, tent loosely with aluminum foil and continue baking.
Best served warm when cheese is melted and dough is crispy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Main Dish, Valentine's Day
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pizza roses
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: pizza roses for valentine's day, valentine's day pizza, heart shaped pizza, romantic dinner, pizza appetizer, muffin tin pizza, easy valentine's recipe