One Dough Savory Recipes – A Simple, Flexible Way to Cook

one dough savory recipes

One Dough Savory Recipes – A Simple, Flexible Way to Cook

One Dough Savory Recipes – A Simple, Flexible Way to Cook

If you like the idea of making multiple savory dishes from one easy dough, you’re in the right place. This is a straightforward base dough that turns into hand pies, flatbreads, stuffed rolls, or mini pizzas with just a few tweaks. It’s quick to bring together, forgiving to work with, and friendly to whatever you have in the fridge. Whether you’re feeding a family or prepping lunches, you’ll get a lot of mileage from one bowl and a short ingredient list.

What Makes This Special

One dough savory recipes - One Dough Savory Recipes - A Simple, Flexible Way to Cook If you like the idea of making multiple sa

One dough savory recipes – One Dough Savory Recipes – A Simple, Flexible Way to Cook If you like the idea of making multiple sa

This recipe is all about flexibility without fuss. The dough mixes in minutes and plays well with many flavors, from cheesy fillings to veggie-packed toppings. It’s soft, slightly chewy, and sturdy enough to hold saucy ingredients. You can bake it into different shapes, freeze it for later, and make it weeknight-easy. The real win is how it turns pantry staples into something warm and satisfying.

Ingredients

One dough savory recipes - This is a straightforward base dough that turns into hand pies, flatbreads, stuffed rolls, or mini p

One dough savory recipes – This is a straightforward base dough that turns into hand pies, flatbreads, stuffed rolls, or mini p

  • 3 cups (360 g) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
  • 2 teaspoons instant yeast (or rapid-rise yeast)
  • 1 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar or honey
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for greasing
  • 1 to 1 1/4 cups (240–300 ml) warm water (about body temperature)
  • Optional boosters: 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
  • For finishing: 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water (egg wash), or a splash of milk for a softer crust
  • For savory fillings/toppings: shredded cheese, sautéed onions, cooked sausage or chicken, olives, spinach, roasted peppers, tomato sauce, pesto, herbs

Instructions

One dough savory recipes - It’s quick to bring together, forgiving to work with, and friendly to whatever you have in the fridg

One dough savory recipes – It’s quick to bring together, forgiving to work with, and friendly to whatever you have in the fridg

  1. Mix the dry base. In a large bowl, whisk flour, instant yeast, salt, and sugar. If using garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or Parmesan, whisk them in now.
  2. Add liquids. Stir in olive oil and 1 cup warm water. Mix with a spoon until a shaggy dough forms. If it’s dry, add more water a tablespoon at a time until it comes together.
  3. Knead briefly. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead 3–4 minutes, just until smooth and elastic. It should be soft but not sticky. Add flour only if it clings to your hands a lot.
  4. First rise. Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled, about 45–60 minutes. If your kitchen is cool, give it more time.
  5. Prep fillings. While the dough rises, get your savory parts ready. Cook and cool meats, squeeze excess moisture from spinach, and shred cheese. Keep fillings fairly dry so your crust stays crisp.
  6. Choose your path. After the rise, punch down the dough and pick a shape:
    • Hand pies/calzone-style: Divide into 8 pieces. Roll each into a 6-inch round, add a small scoop of filling, fold over, pinch edges to seal, and crimp with a fork. Brush with egg wash.
    • Flatbreads: Divide into 4 pieces. Press into ovals or rounds, brush with olive oil, add toppings, and season lightly.
    • Stuffed rolls: Roll dough into a 10×14-inch rectangle. Scatter fillings evenly, roll up from a long side like a jelly roll, pinch the seam, and slice into 8 spirals. Place cut-side up in a greased pan.
    • Mini pizzas: Divide into 6–8 balls. Flatten into 5–6 inch rounds, spread a thin layer of sauce, and add toppings.
  7. Second rise (short). Let shaped dough rest 15–20 minutes. This relaxes the gluten and gives you a lighter texture.
  8. Bake hot. Heat the oven to 450°F (230°C). For pizzas and flatbreads, use a preheated sheet or stone if you have one. Bake:
    • Hand pies: 12–16 minutes, until golden and crisp.
    • Flatbreads: 10–14 minutes, edges browned.
    • Stuffed rolls: 18–22 minutes, centers puffed and tops deep golden.
    • Mini pizzas: 10–13 minutes, cheese bubbling.
  9. Finish and serve. Brush hot crusts with olive oil or garlic butter for shine and flavor. Let cool a few minutes to set, then serve with a simple salad or dipping sauce.

Keeping It Fresh

For short-term storage, cool completely and keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours, or refrigerate for 3 days. Reheat at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes to bring back the crisp edges. For longer storage, freeze baked items in a single layer, then bag for up to 2 months.

You can also freeze the raw dough. After the first rise, portion and oil lightly, then freeze in bags. Thaw overnight in the fridge, bring to room temp for 30–45 minutes, shape, rest, and bake. Avoid microwaving if you want a crisp texture.

Benefits of This Recipe

  • One dough, many meals: Turn it into lunch, dinner, snacks, or party bites with little effort.
  • Budget-friendly: Pantry staples do the heavy lifting, and small amounts of meat or cheese go far.
  • Flexible with timing: The dough is forgiving and can handle a longer rise in the fridge if needed.
  • Customizable nutrition: Load up veggies, choose lean proteins, or go meatless without losing flavor.
  • Kid and crowd friendly: Let everyone assemble their own; it’s hands-on and fun.

Pitfalls to Watch Out For

  • Overly wet fillings: Watery spinach, saucy meats, or juicy veggies can make the crust soggy. Pat everything dry.
  • Too much flour while kneading: Extra flour makes a tough dough. Aim for soft and slightly tacky.
  • Underbaking: Pale dough tastes flat. Bake until deep golden with crisp edges.
  • Overloading toppings: Thick layers steam the dough. Keep toppings light and even.
  • Skipping the rest period: A short second rise improves texture and makes shaping easier.

Variations You Can Try

  • Garlic herb dough: Add 1 teaspoon garlic powder and 1 teaspoon dried oregano or thyme to the flour.
  • Whole wheat boost: Swap 1 cup of the flour for whole wheat. Add an extra tablespoon of water if needed.
  • Cheesy crust: Mix 2–3 tablespoons finely grated Parmesan into the dough and dust the top with more before baking.
  • Spicy version: Add 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper to the dough and use pepper jack or harissa on top.
  • Mediterranean hand pies: Fill with feta, spinach, olives, and roasted peppers. Finish with lemon zest.
  • Breakfast rolls: Stuff with scrambled eggs, cooked bacon, and cheddar; serve with hot sauce.
  • Veggie flatbread: Top with pesto, zucchini ribbons, cherry tomatoes, and a drizzle of balsamic.
  • BBQ chicken mini pizzas: Use BBQ sauce, cooked chicken, red onion, and mozzarella; sprinkle cilantro after baking.

FAQ

Can I make the dough ahead?

Yes. After kneading, place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. It will rise slowly in the fridge. Bring it to room temperature for about 30 minutes before shaping.

What if I only have active dry yeast?

Use the same amount. Dissolve it in the warm water with the sugar and let it stand 5–10 minutes until foamy, then add to the flour and proceed as directed.

How do I keep the bottoms from getting soggy?

Preheat your baking sheet or stone, keep fillings dry, and bake hot. Brushing the dough lightly with olive oil before saucing also helps create a barrier.

Can I make this gluten-free?

Use a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend designed for yeasted doughs and add 1 teaspoon xanthan gum if your blend lacks it. The texture will be softer, so shape with oiled hands and expect a shorter rise.

Is egg wash necessary?

No. Egg wash gives shine and color, but you can brush with milk for a softer crust or olive oil for a deeper, rustic finish.

What’s the best way to reheat without drying out?

Reheat at 350–375°F (175–190°C) for 8–12 minutes. If items seem dry, tent loosely with foil for the first half of reheating, then uncover to crisp the edges.

Can I add vegetables raw?

Some, like thin-sliced bell peppers or onions, are fine raw. High-moisture vegetables like mushrooms or spinach should be cooked and drained first to avoid sogginess.

Wrapping Up

One reliable dough can unlock a week’s worth of savory options without much planning. Keep the base recipe in your back pocket, and mix and match fillings based on what you have. With a hot oven, light toppings, and a short second rise, you’ll get crisp edges and tender centers every time. It’s easy, flexible, and ready to become your go-to for simple, satisfying meals.

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