Pizza Sliders Recipe

Ingredients:

• Cooking spray
• 1 cups finely pre-shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup finely pre-shredded Italian cheese blend
• cup finely chopped fresh basil
• teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning, divided
• 1 cups pizza sauce
• 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato pesto
• 1 (12 count) package Hawaiian sweet rolls
• cup thinly sliced pepperoni
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
• teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375F (190C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set a cooling rack on top. Lightly spray the cooling rack with cooking spray.

Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the mozzarella, Italian cheese blend, fresh basil, black pepper, and 1 teaspoons of the Italian seasoning. Stir until well mixed and set aside.

Step 3: In another small bowl, mix the pizza sauce and sun-dried tomato pesto together. Set this mixture aside as well.

Step 4: Without separating the rolls, use a serrated knife to cut the entire slab of rolls in half horizontally. Place the bottom half on the prepared baking sheet, and set the top half aside.

Step 5: Evenly sprinkle half of the cheese mixture over the bottom layer of rolls. Add half of the pepperoni slices and half of the pizza sauce mixture on top. Repeat this layering process with the remaining ingredients.

Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese has fully melted.

Step 7: While the rolls are baking, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and the remaining teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Stir occasionally until the butter has melted, about 1-2 minutes. Set aside.

Step 8: Once the rolls are done baking, remove them from the oven and place the top layer of rolls on top. Brush the top layer with the melted butter mixture.

Step 9: Return the rolls to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.

Step 10: Remove the rolls from the oven, separate them, and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Variations to Try:

• Sausage: Substitute cup cooked, crumbled Italian sausage for the pepperoni.
• Meat Lover's: Reduce pepperoni to cup, and add 3 oz of thin deli ham slices and cup of cooked, crumbled Italian sausage.
• Veggie: Replace pepperoni with 1 cup of mixed sauted peppers, onions, and mushrooms.
• BBQ Chicken: Substitute pizza sauce and sun-dried tomato pesto with 1 cup of barbecue sauce. Replace pepperoni with 1 cup of chopped or shredded rotisserie chicken.

Nutrition Facts (per serving):

• Calories: 421
• Total Fat: 11g (15% DV)
• Saturated Fat: 9g (47% DV)
• Cholesterol: 68mg (23% DV)
• Sodium: 707mg (31% DV)
• Total Carbohydrate: 46g (17% DV)
• Dietary Fiber: 3g (9% DV)
• Protein: 22g (43% DV)
• Potassium: 50mg (1% DV)

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.