Ingredients
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Olive oil, for greasing and brushing
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1 pound white or whole wheat pizza dough
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¾ cup chopped broccoli florets
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1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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½ cup pizza sauce
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Grated Parmesan cheese, for topping
Optional fillings: Pepperoni, kale, spinach, ham, pineapple, bell peppers, olives, or mushrooms.
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a 9-inch pie plate with olive oil.
2. Divide the Dough
Divide the pizza dough into 16 evenly sized pieces. Keeping the pieces similar in size helps the pizza balls bake evenly.
3. Mix the Filling
In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped broccoli, mozzarella, and pizza sauce. Stir until everything is evenly mixed.
4. Fill the Dough
Take one piece of dough and roll or flatten it into a circle about 3 inches wide. Place approximately 1 tablespoon of the filling in the center.
5. Shape the Pizza Balls
Bring the edges of the dough together over the filling and pinch them firmly to seal. Gently roll the dough between your hands to form a ball.
Place the ball seam-side down in the prepared pie plate. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling, arranging the balls close together.
6. Add the Topping
Brush the tops of the dough balls lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
7. Bake Until Golden
Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown and cooked through. If the tops brown too quickly, check them a little earlier.
8. Cool and Serve
Let the pizza balls cool for a few minutes before serving, as the cheese filling will be very hot. Serve with extra pizza sauce for dipping.
Notes
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Don’t overfill: About 1 tablespoon of filling per ball helps keep the dough easy to seal.
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Seal the edges well: Pinch the dough together firmly so the cheese and sauce stay inside as the balls bake.
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Keep the filling manageable: Chop broccoli and any other vegetables into small pieces so they fit easily inside the dough.
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Avoid excess moisture: If using mushrooms, spinach, or other watery vegetables, cook them first and drain off excess liquid.
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Leave a little space: Arrange the balls close together in the pie plate, but avoid squeezing them too tightly.
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Check the centers: Dough thickness and oven performance can affect baking time, so make sure the dough is fully cooked before serving.
