Introduction

These Cheesy Stuffed Garlic Bread Rolls are a perfect game day snack or appetizer. Soft pizza dough rounds filled with gooey mozzarella cheese, baked to golden perfection, and finished with a savory garlic herb butter and cheesy “laces.” Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping and watch them disappear fast!

A baked pull-apart bread shaped like a football with small, round golden-brown dough balls connected together, topped with green chopped herbs and melted white cheese. Five thin, long strips of pale cheese are laid across the top in a crisscross pattern to look like football laces. The bread sits on brown parchment paper on a metal tray. At the top of the tray, there is a white ramekin filled with red marinara sauce. The surface underneath the tray is a white marbled texture with a white cloth napkin partially visible at the top right. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

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, or cheddar)
Marinara sauce (for serving)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Cut the mozzarella sticks into 1-inch pieces (each stick should make about 4 pieces, totaling 32). If using cheese cubes, skip this step. Divide the pizza dough into 32 equal pieces using a knife or bench scraper; use a scale for precision if desired.
Step 3: Press each dough piece into a small rectangle, place a piece of cheese in the center, and wrap the dough around it. Pinch closed and roll into a ball.
Step 4: Arrange the dough balls seam side down on the baking sheet in the shape of a football—about 16 balls form the outer rim and the rest fill the center. Ensure they touch but aren’t crowded.
Step 5: Brush the tops with milk or whisked egg, and sprinkle with flaky sea salt if using. Bake for 18 minutes, then switch the oven to broil and broil for 2-3 minutes until golden on top. Let the rolls cool slightly.
Step 6: In a bowl, mix melted butter, parmesan, garlic, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper. Brush this garlic herb butter over the rolls.
Step 7: Cut the slice of cheese into 7 thin rectangles and arrange them across the top of the rolls to mimic football laces.
Step 8: Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the garlic butter mixture.
Use provolone or cheddar slices inside the dough for a different cheese experience.
Try fresh herbs like oregano or thyme if parsley and basil aren’t available.
If you prefer a crispier crust, broil for an additional minute but watch carefully to prevent burning.

Storage

Store leftover rolls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness and melt the cheese. Avoid microwaving as it may make the dough soggy.

How to Serve

A football-shaped bread made of small golden-brown dough balls all connected together sits on light brown parchment paper on a baking tray with a white marbled texture beneath. The bread is covered with melted white cheese and finely chopped green herbs, giving it a textured look. Five thick white cheese strips are laid across the middle of the bread to resemble football laces. A white ramekin filled with bright red marinara sauce is placed near the top left corner of the tray, and a white cloth is casually folded in the background. The overall scene is warm and inviting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought pizza dough for this recipe?

Yes, store-bought pizza dough works perfectly and speeds up the preparation process. Just make sure to bring it to room temperature before dividing.

What if I don’t have string cheese sticks?

You can substitute with small cubes of mozzarella or a blend of your favorite cheeses. Just be sure to use equal amounts so each roll has a cheesy center.