Pizza Pockets are like miniature calzones or like giant baked ravioli. Either way you look at it, the pizza pocket makes a great lunch, snack or appetizer!
(I was asked by Carusele to participate in the #LaurasLean campaign, sponsored by Laura’s Lean. Although I have been compensated, all opinions are my own.)
Easy Pizza Pockets Recipe
Think of it as a pre-folded slice of pizza with the ingredients tidily tucked inside. I advise making a couple batches worth. They store in the fridge or freezer well. You can’t beat the convenience when you need an easy nibble.
Especially if you crave pizza… and any pizza lover knows exactly what I am talking about.
If you love pizza, check out ALL of my pizza recipes!
The Ease Of Pizza Pockets
Making a homemade pizza pocket, you have choices to make. You can keep things very simple if you get pre-made pizza dough. You can find pre-made pizza dough in the freezer section of your local grocery.
You can also go with puff pastry dough. The thin sheets create a different style of crust but it still works fine.
If you feel more ambitious, and wish to make your own pizza dough for pizza pockets, then go for it! Homemade dough is actually super easy! I included my favorite pizza crust recipe in this recipe. It’s my go-to and only takes minutes to make.
No one should have to miss out on the joys of homemade pizza pockets because making dough is an obstacle!
Regardless, if you are making your own dough, then it makes sense to make extra. You will be happy that day when you crave a pizza pocket… and the only effort required is reaching into the freezer and popping it in the microwave.
Also, for the health conscious, I completely recommend using Laura’s Lean Ground Beef. Not only does this beef meet rigorous standards for being low fat, it also comes from farmers that raise their cattle without ever using hormones or antibiotics and they are always vegetarian fed!
The Right Sauce
Even if you are buying pre-made tomato sauce, or even jars of white sauce, you can still add a bit of something-something to make it your own.
Add a pinch of cayenne to spice it up, or some olives or capers to it. Put some chopped mushrooms, onions, or herbs in it. It doesn’t take much to dial it in just the way you like it.
If you are looking for that classic combination of pizza ingredients, then garlic, thyme, basil, and rosemary all need a place in the sauce to park.
Just like pizza, the sauce makes the pizza pocket.
Great Ingredients To Make Your Pizza Pocket Amazing
The imagination serves as endless inspiration for what is possible to stuff in your pizza pocket. If a pizza can carry everything from a walnut to an anchovy on top, then there is nothing impossible for flavors to pack in your pocket.
Meat lovers will always appreciate the sausage, pepperoni, the meatball. In this pizza pocket recipe, I did the classic marinara sauce with Laura’s Lean Ground Beef and layered in pepperoni and cheese. So delicious and incredibly easy.
In terms of cheese to use, the same cheeses that work for pizza apply. Mozzarella and provolone, and a bit of parmesan all work well. Goat cheese works amazing. It comes out particularly creamy and has that bit of tanginess.
Handy Tips
Handy tips? Use beef like Laura’s Lean Ground Beef. It’s low in fat, high in protein, all great, but the quality of beef adds flavor for days. No joke. Starting with great ingredients guides the easiest path to tasty results every time.
When you seal the pizza pocket, then use an egg wash to make sure the seal is good. Use a fork to pinch down the edge. It will look like the top of a pie with ridges.
You can poke it once on top with a fork to blow off a little steam when it is cooking. This is handy but not absolutely neccessary.
Cool them off in the fridge first, then stack the chilled ones in a container for the freezer. Sprinkle just a bit of flour between each layer as you stack them. This will make it easier to grab them out when you want to pop in a few.
Also, you can certainly up the ante health-wise by using beef like Laura’s Lean Ground Beef. Low in fat, high in protein, all great, but the quality of beef adds flavor for days. No kidding. Starting with great ingredients guides the easiest path to tasty results every time.
Any Other Ideas For Pizza Pockets?
I have some recipes with ideas you can use for pizza pockets…
- Tortellini with avocado sauce– Use this sauce for pizza pockets!
- Pesto pizza, still going to work in a pizza pocket for sure!
- Grilled barbecue pizza – The California Pizza kitchen style pizza pocket is yours for the making!
Easy Pizza Pockets Recipe
Ingredients
- Two 1/4 oz packages dry active yeast
- 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cup warm water 110 degrees
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound Laura's Lean Beef
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp rosemary dried
- 1/2 tsp thyme dried
- 1/2 tsp basil dried
- 1 cup marinara sauce or more, depending on taste preferences
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup pepperoni
- 1 egg beaten
Instructions
Pizza Pocket Crusts
- Dissolve the sugar and yeast in the warm water in a measuring cup, let rest for 8 minutes.
- Combine the flour and salt in a medium sized bowl. Pour yeast mixture over flour mixture.
- Add the olive oil, mix well. Place the dough on a floured surface and knead for 2 minutes. You do NOT need to let this dough rise!
- Split dough into two balls and roll each one out into a rectangular shape. Cut each rectangle into six large squares (or you can make them smaller if you like).
Pizza Pocket Filling
- Heat a large skillet on medium-high. Spray with cooking spray. Add in one pound of Laura's Lean Beef. Break up the beef and cook until brown.
- Add in salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme and basil. Pour in marinara sauce and let simmer until flavors blend.
Assembling Pizza Pockets
- Place a large scoop of the beef mixture onto six of the twelve pizza squares.
- Top with cheese and pepperoni slices.
- Spread a little of the beaten egg on the edges of the dough. Place another square of dough on top and using a fork, press the edges together.
- Continue until all six pizza pockets are finished.
- Bake at 450 degreees for about 10-12 minutes, or until they're browned and heated through the middle. Serve and enjoy!
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I was asked by Carusele to participate in the #LaurasLean campaign, sponsored by Laura’s Lean. Although I have been compensated, all opinions are my own.
How much flour?
Sorry about that, Charlotte! I can’t believe I left out an ingredient! It’s filled in now. Thanks for reading!
How much flour please?
Oh my GOODNESS! I am so sorry! I accidentally left it out but it’s added now. Thank you for the heads up!