Pizza-Filled Crescent Rings

These Pizza-Filled Crescent Rings are a fun and delicious twist on traditional pizza, filled with savory sausage, pepperoni, cheese, and olives. The buttery crust on the outside, combined with the cheesy, flavorful filling inside, makes these rings the perfect snack or appetizer for any occasion. Serve with extra pizza sauce for dipping!

Ingredients:

• For the Filling:
  • 8 oz ground beef and/or Italian sausage
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 30 slices Italian pepperoni, quartered
  • 1/4 cup black olive slices
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1 can (15 oz) pizza sauce
• For the Crescent Dough:
  • 2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent roll dough
• For the Topping:
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Filling:
   • Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef, onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook until the beef is browned, about 4 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
   • Stir in the Italian sausage and olives, then remove from heat. Let the mixture cool for about 10 minutes.
   • Mix in the shredded mozzarella cheese and 3/4 cup of pizza sauce. Set aside.
2. Prepare the Crescent Dough:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
   • Unroll the crescent dough on a clean surface and separate it into 8 triangles. Lay the triangles in a circle on the prepared baking sheet, with the short edges overlapping slightly to form a 5-inch circle in the center.
3. Fill the Dough:
   • Spoon the meat and cheese mixture into the center of the dough circle, distributing it evenly across the overlapping dough sections.
   • Fold the outer edges of the dough over the filling, pinching the ends to secure the filling inside. If needed, tuck the ends under to form a ring shape.
   • Use a sharp knife to cut slits in the dough near the top to allow the filling to peek out.
4. Bake the Crescent Ring:
   • In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
   • Brush the butter mixture over the top of the crescent ring, then sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
   • Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until the crescent dough is golden brown and cooked through.
5. Serve:
   • Let the ring cool for about 5 minutes before cutting it into slices. Serve with warmed pizza sauce for dipping.