10 Time-Saving Frozen Bread Dough Recipes for Busy Weeknights!

Introduction

Life gets busy, and sometimes cooking feels like just another chore. But with frozen bread dough, you can whip up delicious meals and snacks without spending hours in the kitchen. Here are 10 recipes that are perfect for those hectic weeknights when you need something quick and satisfying. I remember when I first discovered frozen bread dough—it was a game-changer! Suddenly, I could make homemade pizza in minutes, and my kids thought I was a superhero. These recipes are tried and true, and I hope they make your life a little easier too.

1. Quick and Easy Pizza

Who doesn’t love pizza? It’s the ultimate comfort food, and with frozen bread dough, you can have it on the table in no time. I like to keep it simple with classic toppings, but feel free to get creative!

Pro tip: Let your kids choose their own toppings to make dinner fun and interactive.

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of frozen bread dough, thawed
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Your favorite toppings (pepperoni, mushrooms, bell peppers, etc.)
• Olive oil for brushing

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Roll out the thawed dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness.
3. Transfer the dough to a greased baking sheet or pizza stone.
4. Brush the dough lightly with olive oil.
5. Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the dough.
6. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top.
7. Add your favorite toppings.
8. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
9. Let it cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving.

2. Garlic Parmesan Breadsticks

These breadsticks are a hit at my house. They’re perfect as a side for pasta or just as a snack. The best part? They’re so easy to make! Try them with tomato soup for a comforting meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of frozen bread dough, thawed
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Roll out the dough into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick.
3. Cut the dough into strips about 1 inch wide.
4. Twist each strip and place on a greased baking sheet.
5. In a small bowl, mix the melted butter and minced garlic.
6. Brush the garlic butter over the breadsticks.
7. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt.
8. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
9. Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping.

3. Cheesy Spinach Calzones

Calzones are like little pockets of joy. These are filled with cheese and spinach, but you can customize them with whatever you have on hand. Bonus: You can make these ahead and freeze them for later.

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of frozen bread dough, thawed
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• Marinara sauce for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Divide the dough into 4 equal pieces.
3. Roll each piece into a circle about 6 inches in diameter.
4. In a bowl, mix the ricotta, mozzarella, spinach, and Parmesan.
5. Place a scoop of the cheese mixture on one half of each dough circle.
6. Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape and pinch the edges to seal.
7. Brush the tops with beaten egg.
8. Place on a greased baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden.
9. Serve with warm marinara sauce.

4. Pepperoni Stromboli

Stromboli is like a pizza roll, and it’s perfect for slicing and sharing. This one is loaded with pepperoni and cheese. Feel free to add veggies like bell peppers or onions for extra flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of frozen bread dough, thawed
• 1/2 cup pizza sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Roll out the dough into a large rectangle.
3. Spread the pizza sauce over the dough, leaving a 1-inch border.
4. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly.
5. Layer the pepperoni slices on top.
6. Roll up the dough tightly from one long side, like a jelly roll.
7. Pinch the seams to seal and place seam-side down on a greased baking sheet.
8. Brush with beaten egg.
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
10. Let it cool slightly before slicing.

5. Garlic Butter Knots

These knots are soft, buttery, and full of garlic flavor. They’re great as a side or just to munch on. If you love garlic, don’t be shy with it—the more, the merrier!

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of frozen bread dough, thawed
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces.
3. Roll each piece into a rope about 6 inches long.
4. Tie each rope into a knot and place on a greased baking sheet.
5. In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, garlic, parsley, and salt.
6. Brush the garlic butter over the knots.
7. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until golden.
8. Serve warm.

6. Cinnamon Sugar Rolls

Who says frozen bread dough is only for savory dishes? These cinnamon rolls are quick and satisfy any sweet tooth. They’re perfect for a weekend breakfast too—just prep them the night before.

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of frozen bread dough, thawed
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1-2 tbsp milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Roll out the dough into a large rectangle.
3. Brush with melted butter.
4. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon.
5. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar evenly over the dough.
6. Roll up the dough tightly from one long side.
7. Cut into 1-inch slices and place in a greased baking dish.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden.
9. While baking, mix powdered sugar and milk to make a glaze.
10. Drizzle the glaze over the warm rolls.

7. Monkey Bread Delight

Monkey bread is fun to make and even more fun to eat. It’s perfect for sharing, and the kids love pulling it apart. This is a great recipe to make with little ones—they’ll enjoy rolling the dough in sugar.

Ingredients:

• 2 loaves of frozen bread dough, thawed
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cut the dough into small pieces, about 1 inch each.
3. In a bowl, mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon.
4. Roll each dough piece in the cinnamon sugar.
5. Place the coated pieces in a greased bundt pan.
6. In a small saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar together.
7. Pour the butter mixture over the dough pieces.
8. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden and cooked through.
9. Let it cool for 10 minutes, then invert onto a plate.

8. Soft Pretzel Bites

These pretzel bites are addictive! Serve them with mustard or cheese sauce for a perfect snack. Experiment with different dips like honey mustard or even chocolate for a sweet twist.

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of frozen bread dough, thawed
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1 egg, beaten
• Coarse salt for sprinkling

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Cut the dough into small pieces, about 1 inch each.
3. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the baking soda.
4. Drop the dough pieces into the boiling water for 30 seconds, then remove with a slotted spoon.
5. Place the boiled pieces on a greased baking sheet.
6. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse salt.
7. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
8. Serve warm.

9. Herb and Olive Focaccia

Focaccia is so versatile. This version has herbs and olives, but you can top it with anything you like. Try adding cherry tomatoes or caramelized onions for a different flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of frozen bread dough, thawed
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives
• Sea salt for sprinkling

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Press the dough into a greased baking sheet, stretching it to fit.
3. Use your fingers to make dimples all over the dough.
4. Drizzle with olive oil.
5. Sprinkle with rosemary, thyme, olives, and sea salt.
6. Let it rise for 20 minutes.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden.
8. Cut into squares and serve.

10. Pigs in a Blanket

A classic appetizer or snack that’s always a hit. These are quick to make and disappear even faster! Make a double batch because they go fast at parties.

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf of frozen bread dough, thawed
• 1 package of mini sausages or hot dogs
• 1 egg, beaten
• Sesame seeds or poppy seeds for sprinkling (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Roll out the dough and cut into small rectangles, big enough to wrap around each sausage.
3. Wrap each sausage in a piece of dough, sealing the edges.
4. Place on a greased baking sheet.
5. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with seeds if desired.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden.
7. Serve with ketchup or mustard.

Conclusion

There you have it, folks! Ten fantastic recipes using frozen bread dough that will make your weeknights a breeze. Whether you’re in the mood for something savory or sweet, there’s a recipe here for everyone. So, next time you’re at the store, grab a few loaves of frozen bread dough and get creative in the kitchen. Your family will thank you, and you’ll have more time to relax after a long day. Remember, cooking doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious. With these recipes, you can enjoy homemade goodness without the hassle. Happy cooking!