One morning, I came home after clearing the sidewalks in my neighborhood after a morning snowstorm. My grandson, visiting from college, bundled up in my oversized scarf, peeked into the kitchen and muttered something about being hungry. I remembered how he used to devour cheeseburgers back in high school football season, so I decided to honor that memory in a cozy, new way.
As I browned the ground beef in my skillet, seasoned with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, it felt like a nod to the old diner where I once waited tables as a teenager. When I stirred in crumbled bacon, melting cheddar, the kitchen filled with that hearty, familiar aroma. He wandered in, spotted the bubbling skillet, and flashed that grin that always says, “This is gonna be good.”
Then came the fun part. Pressing crescent dough into a rectangle, I remembered rolling pie crusts with my grandmother—soft floury fingertips, careful seams. I spread the cheesy burger mixture, tightly rolled it, brushed it with garlic butter, and slid the rollups into the oven.
When they emerged golden, glistening, with garlic-scented steam wafting out, my grandson cheered like he was seeing fireworks. We dipped them in ketchup and ranch, gathered around the table, and chatted about his week back at school. These rollups called Bacon Cheeseburger Garlic Butter Rollups weren’t just filling, they were a warm bridge between past and present, built on nostalgia and savory flavor.
Short Description
Crescent dough rollups filled with seasoned beef, bacon, cheddar cheese, brushed with garlic butter. Savory, cheesy, and perfect for breakfast, lunch, or casual dinner.
Key Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Tools Needed
- Skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Baking sheet lined with parchment
- Pastry brush
- Sharp knife
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Beef Mixture
Heat skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook for 6–8 minutes until browned. Drain excess grease, then stir in crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar until cheese melts. Set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
Preheat oven to 375°F. Unroll crescent dough and press seams together to form a single rectangle.
Step 3: Assemble Rollups
Evenly spread beef mixture across dough. Starting from the long edge, roll dough tightly into a log.
Step 4: Slice and Arrange
Cut log into 1-inch slices and place rolls flat on the prepared baking sheet, cut side up.
Step 5: Add Garlic Butter
Mix melted butter with minced garlic. Brush the tops of each roll generously.
Step 6: Bake
Bake 15–18 minutes until rollups are puffed and golden brown.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle with fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm with ketchup, ranch, or burger sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Flavor Explosion: Juicy seasoned beef, smoky bacon, and gooey cheese in every bite
Quick to Make: Ready in under 30 minutes—perfect for busy days
Comfort Food: Familiar flavors in a fun, handheld form
Party Friendly: Great for game nights, potlucks, or family gatherings
Customizable: Add onions, peppers, or swap meats to suit tastes
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Overfilling dough causes spills
Solution: Spread meat evenly and leave a small border.
Uneven baking undercooks centers
Solution: Make slices a uniform 1 inch thick.
Dry tops from too much butter
Solution: Brush lightly, just enough to catch garlic flavor.
Rolling too loosely leads to unraveling
Solution: Tuck in edges tightly and pinch ends securely.
Burning bottoms on hot sheet
Solution: Bake on center rack with parchment liner
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve on a platter alongside pickle spears or coleslaw
Pair with fresh salad, fries, or roasted veggie sticks
Ideal for buffet or family-style meals and casual gatherings
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftover rollups in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days
Reheat in a 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes to regain crispiness
Microwave for 30 seconds for a quick reheat, though crust may soften
Freeze unbaked slices on a tray then transfer to freezer bags; bake from frozen with an extra 5 minutes added time
FAQs
1. Can I use puff pastry instead of crescent dough?
Yes, puff pastry works well but watch for quicker browning.
2. Can I prepare ahead of time?
Absolutely. Assemble slices on a baking sheet, wrap, and refrigerate or freeze before baking.
3. Is it okay to use pre-cooked bacon?
Yes, crispy pre-cooked bacon can be crumbled and used to save time.
4. Can I add vegetables to the filling?
Try finely diced onions, bell peppers, or jalapeños mixed in with the beef.
5. How do I keep rollups from getting soggy underneath?
Bake on parchment and on the middle rack for even heat; avoid excess grease under rolls.
Tips & Tricks
Chill the filled log for 10 minutes before slicing to maintain shape
Use parchment paper for easy cleanup and lift-out
Rotate the baking sheet halfway for even golden tops
Brush garlic butter right out of the oven for extra flavor absorption
Try different cheeses like Pepper Jack or Swiss for variety
Recipe Variations
BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger: Mix in 2 Tbsp barbecue sauce and top with crispy onions
Southwest Style: Add diced green chiles and replace cheddar with pepper Jack
Healthier Option: Use lean turkey or chicken and reduced-fat cheese
Breakfast Version: Stir in scrambled eggs and chopped breakfast sausage into the filling
Final Thoughts
These Bacon Cheeseburger Garlic Butter Rollups bring together memories of snowy mornings and family warmth in a single bite. The garlic-scented crust, the hearty beef and melty cheese, and the smoky crunch from bacon make them feel like a hug on a plate.
I remember my grandson’s delighted surprise when he told me they tasted like a burger in pastry form. He polished off four before he paused to say, “Grandma, these are perfect.” That moment reminded me why I share these recipes because good food creates stories and connects us across generations.
Bacon Cheeseburger Garlic Butter Rollups
Print ThisIngredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Beef
Brown beef in a skillet over medium heat with salt, pepper, and garlic powder (6–8 minutes). Drain, then stir in bacon and cheddar until melted.
Step 2: Prep the Dough
Preheat oven to 375°F. Unroll crescent dough and press seams to form a rectangle.
Step 3: Fill and Roll
Spread beef mixture evenly over dough. Roll tightly from the long edge into a log.
Step 4: Slice and Arrange
Cut into 1-inch slices. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cut side up.
Step 5: Add Garlic Butter
Mix melted butter with garlic and brush over roll tops.
Step 6: Bake
Bake 15–18 minutes until golden and puffed.
Step 7: Serve
Garnish with parsley. Serve warm with dipping sauces.
