If you know how to make pizza dough, you might be wondering if you’re limited to using this dough for only pizza. Actually, pizza dough is incredibly versatile and can be used to make calzones, stromboli, garlic knots, breadsticks, and dessert pizza along with many other culinary creations. While pizza dough is best used for pizza, it can be used for many other dishes, as well.
Let’s dive into just a few of the many possibilities offered by homemade pizza dough. If you learn how to store homemade pizza dough you can have a batch on hand for these delicious variations.
Exploring the Versatility of Pizza Dough
Pizza dough can truly extend far beyond its traditional role as a foundation for our pizzas. This simple yet magical mixture of flour, water, yeast, and salt opens up a world of possibilities that go well beyond the dinner table.
Whether you’re looking to make a quick weeknight dinner, prepare snacks for a gathering, or even make desserts, pizza dough is your friend. Here are a few ways you can get creative with this versatile ingredient:
Make Breadsticks with Pizza-Dough
Naturally, breadsticks are a no-brainer here‒they are a crowd-pleasing appetizer and are perfect for dipping in our San Marzano tomato sauce or our signature garlic butter sauce.
To get started, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, cut and roll out the dough into six-inch logs. Leave them plain, or add salt, garlic, crushed red pepper, shredded parmesan, or any other topping that sounds mouth-watering. Finally, place your dough logs on a sheet-lined pan and bake for fifteen to twenty minutes or until golden brown.
How to Make Calzones for an Easy Dinner
Calzones are essentially a folded-over pizza, making them the perfect meal idea when you have extra pizza dough. Though the two recipes are similar, there are some key differences that give each dough its own unique texture after baking.
Start by preheating the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. While your oven preheats, spread your dough onto a lined baking sheet and place your calzone filling on top, steering clear of the edges. Next, fold the dough over and pinch the sides closed. Use a fork to crimp your sides to seal your calzone closed. Cut three slits into the top of your pastry, brush with olive oil, and bake for fifteen minutes or until golden brown.
Stromboli Recipes That Use Your Pizza Crust
Stromboli is an Italian American savory pastry that is typically made with its own dough and filled with meat, cheese, and other ingredients.
Take half of your dough and layer ham and pepperoni lengthwise onto the dough. Add in whatever other stromboli fillings you want, such as ricotta or mozzarella. Roll up the dough around the toppings and seal the edges tight. Bake at 375 degrees for about thirty minutes or until golden brown.
Irresistible Garlic Knots or Dinner Rolls
Garlic knots are a delightful combination of dough and aromatic garlic that goes perfectly with pasta dishes or makes for a delightful snack, on its own. Start by twisting your dough into knots and place the twists onto a greased or sheet-lined pan. Next, bake the knots at 400 degrees for thirteen minutes or until golden brown.
Once they are ready to leave the oven, brush the knots with garlic butter. Sprinkle them with parmesan cheese, salt, and basil. All that’s left is to serve and enjoy!
Making a Sweet Nutella Dessert Pizza
Did you leave any room for dessert–specifically, a Nutella dessert pizza? Whoever said that baking with pizza dough means you can’t indulge your sweet tooth? To make a dessert pizza, begin by rolling your pizza dough into a thin, ten-inch circle. While you roll out your dough, be sure to preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Once the dough is stretched out to size, use a fork to poke holes all around the surface to keep the center from puffing up when you bake it. Next, brush melted unsalted butter around the surface and stick in the oven on a baking sheet-lined pan for twelve minutes.
After it’s turned golden brown, heap a couple of spoonfuls of Nutella in the center, spreading it around the surface like it’s tomato sauce. From there, you can either top it with marshmallow, M&Ms, hazelnut crumbs, or any other sweets you’d like.
Finally, place your dessert pizza back into the oven and broil on low for one more minute and that’s it! Let cool and enjoy.
Moving Forward
Now that you have some new alternative ideas on what to do with your pizza dough, check out our article about how long fresh pizza dough is good for so you can make dinner a fun and easy experience every time.
