Irresistible Pesto Mozzarella Stuffed Dough Balls Recipe

Pesto mozzarella stuffed dough balls combine savory Italian flavors in a mouthwatering bite-sized treat that changes ordinary bread into something extraordinary.

Soft, pillowy dough wraps around melted cheese and vibrant herbal sauce, creating a delightful fusion of textures and tastes.

These golden-brown spheres promise a delectable experience that tingles taste buds and sparks culinary excitement.

Cheese lovers will appreciate the gooey center that oozes with rich, creamy goodness when torn apart.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients dance together, delivering a harmonious blend of classic comfort and gourmet elegance.

Home cooks can easily master this impressive appetizer that looks complicated but comes together with surprising simplicity.

One bite guarantees an irresistible combination of crispy exterior and molten interior that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Tips for Golden Edges and Melty Centers

• Seal Tightly: Pinch dough edges firmly to prevent cheese from leaking during baking, creating perfect enclosed balls every time.
• Chill Before Baking: Refrigerate dough balls for 10 minutes before baking to help them maintain their shape and prevent cheese spillage.
• Use Fresh Mozzarella: Select high-quality, fresh mozzarella for creamier, more flavorful stuffed balls with a rich, melty center.
• Don't Overstuff: Add just a small amount of pesto and mozzarella to ensure easy sealing and prevent bursting during baking.
• Room Temperature Dough: Let pizza dough sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before shaping, making it more flexible and easier to work with.

Best Ways to Store Pesto Stuffed Dough Balls

• Refrigeration: Store leftover dough balls in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping them fresh and preventing moisture loss.
• Reheating in Oven: Warm stuffed dough balls at 180°C for 5-7 minutes, restoring their crispy exterior and melty cheese center.
• Microwave Option: Heat for 30-45 seconds on medium power, ensuring they don't become rubbery or dry out completely.

Dips and Pairings for Pesto Mozzarella Dough Balls

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Grab a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to complement the rich, garlicky pesto mozzarella dough balls. Its light acidity cuts through the creamy cheese and buttery texture perfectly.
• Match with Fresh Salad: Create a simple mixed green salad with cherry tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette. The fresh, tangy salad balances the heavy, rich flavors of the dough balls and provides a refreshing contrast.
• Serve with Marinara Dipping Sauce: Prepare a quick homemade marinara sauce for dunking. The bright, slightly acidic tomato sauce enhances the herbal pesto notes and provides a delightful extra layer of flavor to each bite.
• Complement with Charcuterie Board: Add some prosciutto, salami, and olives alongside the dough balls. The salty, cured meats and briny olives create a Mediterranean-style appetizer spread that elevates the entire dish.

Unique Flavor Variations to Try with Stuffed Dough Balls

• Mediterranean Olive Burst: Replace red pesto with green olive tapenade and use feta cheese instead of mozzarella for a zesty Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Spicy Chorizo Popper: Swap mozzarella for small chunks of spicy chorizo and mix in some jalapeño pieces to create a fiery version of the dough balls.
• Herb Garden Blend: Incorporate fresh herbs like basil, thyme, and rosemary into the dough mixture and use goat cheese as the filling for an aromatic herbal experience.
• Sun-Dried Tomato Fusion: Blend sun-dried tomato paste into the dough and stuff with a combination of ricotta and parmesan cheese for an intense Italian-inspired variation.

Why Pesto Mozzarella Stuffed Dough Balls Are a Crowd Favorite

• Burst with Flavor: These dough balls pack an incredible punch of taste with red pesto and mozzarella creating a delightful combination that will make taste buds dance.
• Super Quick Meal Hack: Whip up these delicious balls in just 30 minutes from start to finish, perfect for spontaneous hunger moments or unexpected guests.
• Kid-Friendly Crowd Pleaser: Cheesy, garlicky, and fun to eat, these dough balls will have children and adults reaching for seconds with their irresistible golden-brown exterior and gooey center.
• Versatile Party Starter: Ideal for casual gatherings, game nights, or as a side dish, these stuffed dough balls elevate simple ingredients into something spectacularly tasty that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients to Make Pesto Mozzarella Dough Balls

• Pizza Dough: Homemade or store-bought foundation for these delicious stuffed balls, flexible and easy to work with.
• Garlic: Adds robust flavor and aromatic depth to the dough, fresh cloves preferred for best taste.

• Mozzarella: Soft, mild cheese that creates a gooey, stretchy center when melted, choose fresh buffalo or cow's milk variety.
• Red Pesto: Adds vibrant color and tangy tomato-basil flavor, store-bought or homemade works perfectly.

• Butter, Melted: Creates golden, rich exterior and helps achieve a beautiful sheen on the dough balls, unsalted butter recommended.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that provides bright, green color and subtle fresh taste, can use flat-leaf or curly variety.

How to Bake Pesto Mozzarella Dough Balls Perfectly

Step 1: Prepare The Oven

Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Step 2: Create Dough Mixture

• Pizza dough
• Red pesto
• Fresh mozzarella cheese
• Garlic butter
• Fresh parsley

Step 3: Shape Delicious Parcels

• Small dollop of red pesto
• One small cube of mozzarella

Carefully fold the dough edges over the filling, creating smooth round balls. Pinch the seams to seal completely.

Step 4: Prepare Garlic Butter Coating

• Melted butter
• Finely minced fresh garlic
• Chopped parsley

Step 5: Add Flavor Before Baking

Generously brush each dough ball with the garlic butter mixture. Ensure complete coverage for maximum flavor.

Step 6: Bake To Golden Perfection

Place dough balls on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 18-22 minutes until they turn golden brown and appear puffy.

Step 7: Final Flavor Boost

Drizzle remaining garlic butter over hot dough balls. Sprinkle additional chopped parsley for a fresh touch.

Step 8: Serve And Enjoy

Transfer to a serving plate. Best enjoyed warm, straight from the oven. Perfect as an appetizer or party snack.

Pesto Mozzarella Stuffed Dough Balls Recipe

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4.9 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Pesto mozzarella stuffed dough balls deliver Italian-inspired comfort right to your table. Cheesy, herbal pockets of pure deliciousness emerge from golden-brown shells, promising a delightful experience that leaves taste buds dancing with Mediterranean flavors.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 quantity pizza dough
• 100 grams (3.5 ounces) mozzarella, cut into 8 cubes
• 2 tablespoons red pesto

Flavor Enhancers:

• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 small bunch parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating it to 200°C, creating an ideal environment for the dough balls to transform into golden, aromatic treats.
2. Gently divide the pizza dough into eight uniform segments, creating a canvas for the delectable filling.
3. Carefully flatten each dough portion, creating a delicate base for the vibrant red pesto and creamy mozzarella cube.
4. Carefully envelop the filling by folding the dough edges, meticulously sealing the contents to create perfect, compact spheres.
5. Arrange the formed dough balls on a parchment-lined baking tray, ensuring they have enough space to expand and crisp.
6. Craft a fragrant garlic butter by blending half of the crushed garlic with melted butter, releasing an enticing aroma.
7. Delicately brush the garlic butter mixture across each dough ball, ensuring an even coating that promises rich, savory notes.
8. Slide the tray into the preheated oven, allowing the dough balls to bake for approximately 15-20 minutes, watching carefully to prevent over-browning.
9. While baking, combine the remaining butter, garlic, and freshly chopped parsley to create a final flavor-enhancing drizzle.
10. Once golden and puffy, remove the dough balls and generously drizzle with the herb-infused butter mixture, elevating the dish with a burst of freshness.

Notes

• Unexpected culinary magic happens when pizza dough transforms into cheesy, garlicky treasure pockets.
• Red pesto adds a zesty surprise that elevates these golden-brown dough balls from simple to spectacular.
• Melted garlic butter drizzled over warm, freshly baked balls creates an irresistible aroma that draws everyone to the kitchen.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg