Quick Vegetarian Pizza Rolls: Spinach and Ricotta Filling

The Snack That Everyone Wants in 20 Minutes

Do you have a lot of homework, activities, and the never-ending “What’s for dinner?” question on weeknights? We understand that finding a meal that is both quick and approved by the whole family can seem like a superhero task!

Forget about the menus for takeout! These Quick Vegetarian Pizza Rolls with Spinach and Ricotta Fillings are going to be your secret weapon. Little pockets of cheesy, savory goodness wrapped in flaky, golden crescent dough. They take about 20 minutes to make from start to finish.

The best part? You’re putting spinach in something that kids really want. They won’t even know they’re eating vegetables because they’ll be too busy enjoying the gooey cheese and pizza flavors. Victory in parenting!
What Busy Families Like About This Recipe:

• 20 minutes total for everything, from prep to baking The filling only needs five simple ingredients.
• Kids love them (they’ll ask for them over and over).
• Get vegetables in without anyone complaining—can be made ahead of time and frozen
• Great for snacks after school, dinners on weeknights, lunchboxes, or appetizers at parties

A Brief Look at the Recipe: – Time to Prepare: 8 Minutes

• Time to Cook: 12 to 15 minutes
• Time Needed: 20 to 23 minutes- Yield: 8 rolls of pizza
• Dietary Labels: Vegetarian

Why This Recipe Works in Real Life

As a busy parent, I’ve spent many nights staring into the fridge, trying to figure out how to make something healthy and tasty before the kids started to cry from hunger. That’s why I love recipes that give you the most flavor with the least amount of work.

One of those crazy nights, I made these spinach and ricotta pizza rolls because I needed to sneak in some greens, and someone yelled, “Pizza!” The kids wanted pizza. I wanted some vegetables. These rolls were just what we wanted.

I worked on this recipe several times until it was quick, easy, and undeniably tasty. The mix of creamy ricotta and mozzarella tastes rich. The cheese almost completely covers the spinach. The crescent roll dough makes the outside golden and flaky, which makes these feel much more special than they are hard.
Why you can trust this recipe: Our goal at Quick Meals Guide is to give you family-friendly recipes that have been thoroughly tested and will really help you save time and stress in the kitchen. This recipe has been put to the test by a “busy family” and has always come out on top, giving everyone a delicious meal or snack.

This isn’t just a recipe; it’s something that has worked for me on my busiest days.

Things You Need

For the Pizza Rolls

1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough This is the store-bought shortcut that makes this recipe really quick. Any brand will do, but Pillsbury is great.

1 cup of part-skim ricotta cheese makes the filling creamy and rich. Part-skim makes it lighter, but whole milk ricotta works as well.

1 cup of fresh spinach, chopped very finely (or ½ cup of frozen spinach that has been thawed and squeezed very dry)
This is the sneaky part of the vegetable. When you chop it up, it blends in with the cheese.

½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese Adds that classic cheese pull that you get on pizza.

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese adds a savory depth and umami flavor.
*½ teaspoon of garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon of Italian seasoning

**Add salt and black pepper to taste.

Additions that are not required

1 large egg, beaten (for the egg wash, which makes the tops extra shiny and golden)
Warm marinara sauce (for dipping; highly recommended!)

What You Need

• A big baking sheet
• Parchment paper (to make cleaning up easier)
• A medium-sized mixing bowl • A spoon or a spatula

– A small bowl and a pastry brush (if you’re using egg wash)

Choices for Dough: You can also use thawed puff pastry or store-bought pizza dough, but crescent rolls are the quickest option. Follow the package directions to change the baking time.

Spinach: Frozen spinach works great. Just let it thaw completely and squeeze out all the water. This is very important for rolls that are crispy and not soggy!

Cheese Swaps: Instead of mozzarella, try provolone, fontina, or a mix of Italian cheeses for a different taste.

Add Some Kick: A little bit of red pepper flakes in the filling gives it a little bit of heat for families who like spicy food.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Make the Filling (3 Minutes)

Set your oven to 375°F (190°C). Put parchment paper on a baking sheet.

Put the ricotta cheese, finely chopped spinach, mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and a little bit of salt and pepper in a medium mixing bowl.

Mix everything together until the spinach is evenly spread out in the cheese mixture.

Tip: If you’re using fresh spinach, chop it up really small so it mixes in with the cheese and doesn’t make the rolls too big. If you’re using frozen, make sure to squeeze out every last drop of water. This is very important for a crust that is crisp!

Step 2: Get the dough ready (2 minutes)

Put the crescent roll dough on a clean work surface.

Cut the dough into 8 triangles along the dotted lines.
Tip: Don’t take too long with crescent dough; it can get sticky at room temperature. Don’t worry if it rips a little. Just push it back together. It’s very easy to forgive.

Step 3: Fill and Roll (3–4 Minutes)

On the wide end of each crescent roll triangle, put about 1–2 tablespoons of the spinach and ricotta filling.

Starting at the wide end with the filling, gently roll each triangle toward the pointed end, making sure the filling is completely inside.

Put the rolled pizza rolls on the prepared baking sheet with the seam side down, leaving about 2 inches between each one.

Tip: Don’t fill too much! A little filling goes a long way. If you overstuff the rolls, they will burst open while they are baking and be harder to roll. Leave a little space around the edges so that rolling and sealing are easier.

Step 4: Add Egg Wash (not required, but recommended)

Brush the tops with beaten egg if you want rolls that are even more golden and like those from a bakery.

This step is optional, but it makes a big difference in how they look. If you’re serving these to guests, you should definitely do it!

Step 5: Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Bake the rolls at 375°F for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they are puffy and a lovely golden brown.
Pro Tip: Ovens are different, so check around the 10-minute mark. Crescent rolls can go from perfectly golden to too brown very quickly. The top should be a deep golden color, and the bottom edges should be a little darker golden.

Step 6: Let the pizza rolls cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving.

Serve hot with marinara sauce on the side for dipping.

Pro Tip: Don’t give in to the urge to bite into them right away! The filling will be very hot right out of the oven. Letting the filling cool for a few minutes helps it set a little and keeps mouths from getting burned, which is very important for kids!

Tips for Storage and Making Ahead

Option to Make Ahead

Put the pizza rolls together completely (by rolling them up), put them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover them tightly with plastic wrap, and put them in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Let them sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before baking them as directed.

Instructions for the freezer

Freeze Unbaked (Best Method): Put together the rolls, but don’t bake them. Put on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until hard, which should take about two hours. Put it in a bag that can go in the freezer. You can freeze it for up to two months.

To Bake from Frozen: No need to thaw! Bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 375°F, or until they are golden and hot all the way through.

Freeze Baked: Let it cool all the way down, then freeze it in one layer before putting it in a freezer bag. Put in the oven or air fryer at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes to reheat.

Keeping in the Fridge

Keep leftover baked pizza rolls in a container that doesn’t let air in for 2–3 days. For the best crispy texture, reheat in a toaster oven or air fryer at 350°F for 5 to 7 minutes. It works in the microwave, but it makes them soft.

Veggie Loaded: To the filling, add finely chopped bell peppers, mushrooms (sautéed and drained), or olives.

Spicy Version: Add ¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese mix.

Fresh Herbs: To make the filling taste better, add 2 tablespoons of fresh basil or oregano.

Different Cheese Blend: For a Mediterranean twist, try provolone and mozzarella or add crumbled feta.

Mini Calzones: For bigger, more filling rolls, press two crescent triangles together.

Pizza-Style: For a classic pizza flavor, add mini pepperoni, diced olives, and Italian seasoning.

• Traditional marinara (the most popular one)
• Sauce with garlic and butter
• Ranch dressing (the kids love it!)
• Pesto-Sauce Alfredo
• Glaze made with balsamic vinegar

Information about nutrition

For each pizza roll (1 of 8):

Main Benefits: Cheese is a good source of protein.

• Has calcium from ricotta and mozzarella
• Gives you iron and vitamins from spinach
• Good for vegetarians

Questions That Are Often Asked

Is it okay to use frozen spinach in these pizza rolls?

Yes, for sure! Just make sure it is completely thawed and that you squeeze out as much extra water as you can. This step is very important because wet spinach will make your pizza rolls soggy instead of crispy. Put the thawed spinach in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze it hard until no more water comes out.

What can I do to keep my pizza rolls from getting soggy?

The most important thing is to make sure your spinach is very dry before you add it to the filling. After washing fresh spinach, dry it off and chop it up small. If it’s frozen, squeeze it hard. Don’t fill the rolls too full either, since more filling means more moisture. Baking on parchment paper also helps make the bottom crisp.

Can I make these vegetarian pizza rolls ahead of time?

Yes! These are great for making ahead of time. You can put the rolls together up to 24 hours ahead of time and keep them covered in the fridge. You can also put unbaked rolls in the freezer for up to two months. This makes them great for planning meals or getting ready for busy days.
What other vegetarian toppings can I put on pizza rolls?

Be creative! Try sautéed mushrooms and onions (well-drained), roasted red peppers and feta, sun-dried tomatoes with mozzarella, or a simple mix of Italian cheeses and herbs. The most important thing with any filling is to make sure the vegetables are cooked and the extra moisture is gone.

Can you freeze these pizza rolls after you bake them?

Yes! After they have cooled completely, freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Then, put them in a bag that can go in the freezer. They can last for up to two months. For the best texture, reheat in the oven or air fryer at 350°F. Microwaving makes them soft.
Is it possible to make these vegan or dairy-free?

If you don’t want dairy, use vegan ricotta (cashew-based works well), dairy-free mozzarella shreds, and nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan. It’s important to pick a brand of crescent dough that doesn’t have any dairy in it. Some do, some don’t.

For Dinner: A simple green salad

• Soup with tomatoes
• Vegetables that have been roasted
• New fruit

For a Snack:

• Sticks of celery and carrots
• More marinara for dipping!
• Cheese on a string

For Parties: Several choices for dipping sauce

• Other finger foods, like a veggie platter
• Small caprese skewers

Last Words

These Quick Vegetarian Pizza Rolls with Spinach and Ricotta Filling show that you can make fast food at home that tastes great and has vegetables in it. You can make golden, flaky rolls filled with creamy, cheesy goodness for your family in just 20 minutes with simple ingredients.

The crescent roll shortcut is brilliant. You get all the satisfaction of homemade without having to make dough. And because you can make them ahead of time and freeze them, you can always have them ready for hungry kids who come home from school or for last-minute dinner emergencies.

This week, make a batch. Your family will keep asking for them!

*Do you love quick snacks that are good for the whole family? Look through our collection of simple appetizers and kid-friendly snacks that make any day special!