Pizza Balls

I made these the other day, thinking that my kids would love to dip little pizza balls in sauce. I made two batches and the first I made into balls and the second I made into a regular pizza (because of time). Maren and Grant liked the pizza balls. Avery (surprise, surprise) and Ryan wouldn't touch them and ate the regular looking pizza. Hey, but on the upside, Avery usually hates homemade pizza. I guess it was better than the alternative. Anyway, I thought they were fun. I am throwing in my easy pizza dough recipe, in case you don't have a super easy one of your own.

Pizza Dough

1 Pkg. yeast

1 c. warm water

2 1/2 c. flour

2 Tbsp. oil

1 tsp. sugar

1 tsp. salt

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in remaining ingredients and beat vigorously 20 strokes. Let rest 5 minutes. Shape into pizza.

Marinara Sauce

2 cans tomato sauce

garlic powder

onion powder

italian seasoning

2 tsp. sugar

salt & pepper to taste

Stir all ingredients in a saucepan over medium low heat. I always make pizza sauce to taste the way I like, so I have no idea on the amounts of the seasonings, but I usually do at least that much sugar.

Pizza Balls

1 recipe pizza dough

1 recipe marinara sauce-for dipping

1 tsp. italian seasoning

1/2 tsp. garlic

2 Tbsp. butter

parmesan cheese

pizza toppings

Make your pizza dough and roll out into a rectangle shape (about 9X13). Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into 24 squares. Place desired toppings on each square. I used pepperoni, sausage and mozzarella cheese. I put two pepperoni slices or 1-2 tsp. sausage and maybe 2 tsp. of cheese.

Pick up each square and fold dough around the ingredients. Pinch the bottom to seal the ball shut. Now, I had 3 little helpers rolling, cutting and adding ingredients (plus, I didn't get a nice shaped rectangle). Don't panic if yours don't look like nice little squares. I made sure the balls were mostly sealed and they all worked out just fine. Place them, seam side down, in a pie tin.

Melt butter and brush over the top of the balls. Mix garlic and italian seasoning and sprinkle over top of balls. Sprinkle Parmesan on top, as well.

Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Serve warm with marinara for dipping.

Adapted from http://www.ourbestbites.com/