Easy Pizza Pockets

Our family loves pizza!  I try not to eat it too often since it's a splurge, but I think making it at home is always a little healthier than going out for it.  At least I know what ingredients go into what my family eats!  Why am I even mentioning health in the same blog as pizza pockets, anyways!? 

These pizza pockets are fast and simple to make, depending on the ingredients you use.  Here I simply used shredded mozzerella cheese and turkey pepperoni. Yuuummmmy!  I added lots of extra cheese to a few for the cheese lovers... ME!  My little secret ingredient to make them easy to make and taste so good is frozen bread dough.  It thaws and rises in just a few hours, but once it's ready these pizza pockets can be assembled and baked in no time at all!  I also like making calzones filled with a parm, mozz, ricotta mixture with turkey Italian sausage, onions and peppers, but that's for another post.  I got the idea for all of these delicious things from The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, who is very familiar with pleasing her sweet family with easy meals.  I love watching her cooking show, because it feels so real and heartwarming.  The farm life and the way she cooks reminds me of my childhood.  Amazing memories of a simpler time.

The inside of the pockets are filled with gooey cheese, pepperonis, and dried oregano.   The pockets are made of golden, crisp crust with a shower of herbs & spices that make them delicious!  Everyone has their own bowl of luscious, zesty semi-homemade marinara sauce that we dip them in, and it's what makes them taste that like your favorite pizzeria!  Complete the meal with an yummy Italian salad and everybody will be asking for this meal again very soon.  Friday night pizza just got a lot more fun!!

Easy Pizza Pockets

Serves 2-3**

1 loaf frozen bread dough, such as Rhodes

1 1/2 c. shredded mozzerella cheese

21 turkey pepperonis 

Dried oregano

Garlic salt

Pizza Seasoning**

1 egg

Olive oil

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Crack the egg into a small bowl and add about a teaspoon of water.  Whisk together with a fork and set aside.

Allow the frozen bread dough to thaw and rise as if you were about to make bread. Once risen, divide the loaf into thirds by pulling it apart.  Pat into a round shape and place on a floured surface.  Roll,out into a circle(ish) shape.

On one side, sprinkle 1/2 c. Mozzerella cheese, a dash of Oregano, and 6-7 pepperonis, keeping the edge of the dough exposed.  Take the egg wash, and using a brush or your finger, brush the egg around the edge of the dough to help the pocket glue together when folded.

Carefully fold over making a pocket.  Press the edges together, fold them up, and roll or crimp as you would pie crust.  You want the edges to be sealed, but it doesn't have to look pretty.

Place the pizza pockets on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Brush the pizza pocket with olive oil, and generously shower with garlic salt and pizza seasoning.  Bake for about 15 minutes or until light golden brown.

Allow the pizza pockets to cool for a few minutes before slicing. Or serve whole with a side of zesty marinara sauce.

** I bought my pizza seasoning in the food section at T. J. Maxx.  It has yummy spices like garlic, oregano, basil, crushed red pepper, salt, etc.  You can always substitute pizza seasoning by sprinkling some Italian seasoning and crushed pepper instead. :)

**This recipe can easily be doubled for a bigger family.

Zesty Marinara Sauce

1/2 Jar of Marinara Sauce, I used Tomato-Basil

2 Tbsp.Extra Virgin Olive Oil (a couple swirls around the pan)

1 Tbsp. Minced Garlic

1 tsp. Dried Oregano

Black Pepper

Set a saucepan over medium heat and add the oil.  Once hot, add the garlic and oregano (crushing in your hand with your fingers as you add it in).  Cook for a couple minutes and then add the marinara sauce and a black pepper to taste.  Stir everything together a let simmer for a few minutes to blend the flavor together.  Pour into small bowls for each person to dip their pizzas pockets in.  Yum!