Garlic Mozzarella Knots

This is the easiest side dish ever! And, these warm, chewy and cheesy rolls are so fabulous, consider serving them as an appetizer or snack for game day (or Netflix binging)!

Serve with marinara if desired: I served these cheesy knots by themselves, but feel free to serve them with warm marinara sauce for dunking if desired.

Easy to double: If you're serving a crowd and need more than 32 knots, double or triple the recipe - it's as simple as that!

About the smashed cloves of garlic: Why did I smash the garlic cloves? I wanted the garlic flavor in the butter, but I didn't want bits of garlic on the bread (I didn't want the garlic to burn and turn bitter while baking, and I didn't want the garlic flavor to overpower the cheese and pizza dough). Infusing fresh garlic into the melted butter gives you all the wonderful garlic flavor you need.

Garlic Mozzarella Knots

2 tablespoons butter
4-5 cloves garlic, smashed
1 tube refrigerated pizza dough
2 cheese sticks
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Melt the butter and garlic together in a small saucepan over medium heat. When the butter is foamy, remove the pan from the heat.

Unroll the pizza dough on a flat surface.

Cut the dough into 4 equal pieces.

Cut each piece into 8 strips, making a total of 32 strips.

Tie each strip into a knot and place the knots on the prepared pan.

Cut each cheese stick into 16 equal pieces. 

Nestle a piece of cheese into the center of each knot.

Brush the knots with the garlic butter, leaving the smashed garlic in the saucepan.

Sprinkle the parmesan cheese over top.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the knots are puffed up and golden brown. Serve warm.

Makes 32 knots