Pepperoni Pizza Sliders

A Memorable Baby Shower Treat: Pepperoni Pizza Sliders with Mom Sarah and Daughter Emily! Join us as we prepare a batch of Pepperoni Pizza Sliders for Aunt Jackie’s upcoming baby shower. Pizza sliders on Hawaiian rolls are such a big hit at baby showers and even the upcoming Superbowl.

As we gathered our ingredients, I could feel the excitement bubbling up in the air. Emily’s eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she stood by my side, eager to lend her small hands to the task. Watching her was a pure delight, and I couldn’t help but smile as she assisted in slicing the Hawaiian rolls in half, getting them ready for the layers of flavor that would follow.

Yield: 12 sliders Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 25 minutes | Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 12 count of Hawaiian rolls
• ½ cup pizza sauce
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 25-30 small slices of pepperoni
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

We started by placing the bottom halves of the rolls in a 9×13 baking dish. That’s when Emily took the lead, and her enthusiasm was infectious. She spread the pizza sauce with gusto, creating a vibrant canvas for our culinary masterpiece. Layer by layer, she added the mozzarella cheese and pepperoni slices, each placement executed with childlike joy, making the moment truly unforgettable.

Next, I took over, carefully positioning the top halves of the rolls over the mouthwatering toppings, sealing our mini sandwiches. It was a seamless collaboration, a bonding experience that deepened our mother-daughter connection.

In a small bowl, we mixed together the melted butter, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and grated parmesan cheese. Emily’s tiny whisk worked its magic, stirring the ingredients into a delectable mixture. It was a tangible symbol of the shared passion we had for creating something special together.

Together, we brushed this heavenly concoction generously over the sliders, ensuring every bite would be a burst of flavor. The kitchen filled with the tantalizing aroma of garlic and melted cheese, heightening our anticipation. As the sliders baked in the oven, we took a moment to set up the baby shower decorations. Laughter and stories flowed freely, and these moments of togetherness would be cherished as much as the delicious food we were preparing.

When the timer finally chimed, we retrieved the sliders from the oven, our mouths watering as we gazed upon the golden-brown, cheesy perfection. It was a moment of shared accomplishment, a memory etched in our hearts.

With a decorative platter in hand, we artfully arranged the sliders, placing them alongside a bowl of extra pizza sauce for dipping. The presentation was impeccable, and we couldn’t help but admire the result of our teamwork.

Aunt Jackie’s baby shower was indeed a hit, thanks to the mouthwatering Pepperoni Pizza Sliders that Emily and I created together. But more than the delicious food, it was the memories we built in that cozy kitchen that made this experience truly special.

Pepperoni Pizza Sliders

Yield: 12 sliders

Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 25 minutes | Total time: 30 minutes

These pepperoni pizza sliders are filled with gooey cheese and topped with savory garlic butter. They are perfect for picky eaters, kids, and any party! Enjoy them as an appetizer or a quick and easy dinner.

Ingredients:

• 12 count of Hawaiian rolls
• ½ cup pizza sauce
• 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 25-30 small slices of pepperoni
• 2 tbsp butter, melted
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Slice the Hawaiin rolls in half and place the bottom in a 9×13 baking dish.
3. Layer with pizza sauce, mozzarella, and pepperoni. Add the top of the rolls.
4. In a small combine melted butter, garlic, Italian seasoning, and parmesan.
5. Brush generously over the top of the sliders.
6. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the top is golden.
7. Serve with extra pizza sauce for dipping.

Tips:

• Substitute deli-slicing pepperoni if you prefer.
• Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven for 8-10 minutes at 325 degrees F.
• Use any variety of Hawaiian rolls for this recipe.
• Swap 1 ½ tsp of garlic powder if you do not have fresh garlic.

Homeschooling parents can turn the preparation of Pepperoni Pizza Sliders into an engaging and multi-faceted third-grade lesson that covers various subjects, including English, spelling, and science. Here’s how you can incorporate these subjects into the cooking activity:

English and Spelling: Recipe Reading and Writing

1. Reading Comprehension: Start by providing your child with the Pepperoni Pizza Sliders recipe. Ask them to read the recipe aloud, emphasizing proper pronunciation and enunciation. This helps improve their reading skills and comprehension.
2. Vocabulary Building: Encourage your child to highlight or jot down any unfamiliar words or ingredients they come across in the recipe. Together, discuss the meanings of these words and incorporate them into their vocabulary.
3. Spelling Practice: Create a list of key ingredients and cooking terms from the recipe and have your child practice spelling them correctly. You can turn this into a spelling bee or a fun spelling game.
4. Writing Activity: Ask your child to write step-by-step instructions for making the Pepperoni Pizza Sliders in their own words. This not only reinforces their reading comprehension but also enhances their writing skills.

Math: Measurement and Proportions

1. Math Application: Cooking involves precise measurements. Involve your child in measuring the ingredients using measuring cups and spoons, and discuss the importance of accurate measurements in cooking.
2. Fractions: Talk about fractions when measuring ingredients like ½ cup of pizza sauce or 1 ½ cups of shredded mozzarella cheese. You can even have them practice converting fractions to decimals.

Science: Heat and Chemical Reactions

1. Oven Temperature: Explain the concept of temperature and how it affects cooking. Discuss why the oven needs to be preheated to 350 degrees F for baking the sliders.
2. Chemical Changes: As the sliders bake, discuss the science behind the chemical changes happening in the oven, including the melting of cheese and the browning of the butter mixture on top.
3. Safety Precautions: Teach your child about safety in the kitchen, including handling hot pans, using oven mitts, and avoiding burns. This is an important aspect of science applied to real-life situations.

Life Skills: Planning and Organization

1. Time Management: Discuss the importance of following a timeline and adhering to the cooking instructions. This will teach your child valuable time-management skills.
2. Organization: Teach your child the significance of organizing ingredients and utensils before starting to cook, emphasizing the concept of preparation and planning.

Social Studies: Cultural Exploration

1. Cultural Context: While making the sliders, you can delve into the origins of pizza and Hawaiian rolls, discussing the cultural aspects of different cuisines and how they have become popular worldwide.

By turning the preparation of Pepperoni Pizza Sliders into an educational and interactive experience, homeschooling parents can effectively cover various subjects while creating lasting memories with their child. This hands-on approach to learning not only reinforces academic concepts but also fosters practical life skills.