Not long ago, I hosted a cozy dinner for a few retired colleagues from my old school, some fellow teachers I hadn’t seen in years. We gathered around my kitchen table like we used to gather in the break room, swapping recipes instead of lesson plans.
One of them, Mr. Ellis, who used to teach shop class, leaned in and said, “You still make those meat rolls you brought to the potluck in ’92?” That got me smiling. I hadn’t made those in ages, but I knew exactly what he meant—my Garlic Butter Beef Cheeseburger Rollups.
Back then, I’d bake them for school functions, bake sales, and occasionally sneak them into staff meetings when we needed a morale boost. These rollups were always a hit with the kids, too—packed with seasoned ground beef, melty cheese, and wrapped in golden dough brushed with garlic butter.
Kind of like if a cheeseburger and garlic bread had a warm, doughy hug. They were easy to serve, easy to love, and always gone before I could blink. That night, I brought them back, fresh from the oven, and they vanished just as quickly as they did all those years ago. It felt like sharing a warm memory simple, nostalgic, and deeply satisfying.
Short Description
Flaky crescent roll wrap filled with savory garlic-seasoned beef and melty cheddar, brushed with garlic butter on top.
Key Ingredients
Filling
- 450 g ground beef
- ½ tsp fine salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 60 g diced onions
- 110 g shredded cheddar cheese
Dough & Garnish
- 1 can (225 g) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Tools Needed
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or non-stick spray
- Skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Pastry brush
- Measuring spoons
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Oven
Preheat oven to 190 °C. Line a baking sheet with parchment or grease lightly.
Step 2: Cook the Beef Filling
Heat skillet over medium. Add ground beef and onions. Season with ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder. Sauté until beef is cooked through and onions are soft, about 8–10 minutes. Drain excess fat and let cool slightly.
Step 3: Mix in Cheese
Stir 110 g shredded cheddar into the beef mixture until well combined.
Step 4: Prepare Dough
Unroll crescent dough and separate into 8 triangles.
Step 5: Fill and Roll
Place a heaping tablespoon of beef filling on the wide end of each triangle. Roll from wide end to point, sealing edges. Place seam-side down on baking sheet.
Step 6: Add Garlic Butter
Combine melted butter and 1 tsp garlic powder. Brush generously over rollups.
Step 7: Bake
Bake at 190 °C for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
Step 8: Garnish & Serve
Sprinkle with fresh parsley if using. Let cool slightly before serving with ketchup, ranch, or your favorite dip.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Flavor Explosion: Juicy beef seasoned with garlic and onion, wrapped in buttery crescent dough.
Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy days.
Crowd-Pleaser: Been served at potlucks, kids’ sleepovers, and impromptu brunches with rave reviews.
Versatile: Serve as snack, appetizer, or main dish.
Kid-Friendly: Cheesy, handheld, and fun to dip, perfect for picky eaters.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Overfilling triangles can cause leaks. Use just a heaping tablespoon and seal edges well.
If dough browns too quickly, lower oven to 180 °C or tent with foil.
Don’t skip draining fat, it prevents soggy dough.
Dough pulling away? Let beef cool slightly before filling to avoid melting butter in dough.
Burnt garlic butter? Brush just before baking for best flavor.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve As: Snacks, brunch bites, or fun mains.
Pair With: Coleslaw, garden salad, or roasted veggies.
Serve Style: Family-style on a platter, buffet-style for gatherings, or packed into lunch boxes.
Drinks: Pair with iced tea, light beer, or sparkling water with lemon.
Storage and Reheating Tips
To Store: Keep in airtight container in fridge for up to 3 days.
To Reheat: Warm in oven at 180 °C for 5–8 minutes until crispy.
To Freeze: Freeze unbaked rollups on a tray, then store in freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a minute or two.
FAQs
1. Can I use turkey or chicken instead of beef?
Yes! Substitute with ground turkey or chicken, cook likewise, and adjust seasoning to taste.
2. Can I prep these ahead?
Absolutely, assemble and freeze before brushing butter. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few minutes.
3. What if I don’t like onions?
Skip or swap with diced bell pepper or mushrooms for added flavor.
4. Can I use other cheese?
Swiss, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella work great for melty texture and mild flavor.
5. Are these gluten-free?
Not as written. Use gluten‑free crescent roll dough to make them suitable.
Tips & Tricks
Chop onions small so they cook evenly with beef.
Let filling cool a bit to prevent melting your dough lining.
Brush butter just before baking to keep garlic fresh and aromatic.
Use parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Try adding a pinch of chili flakes to garlic butter for a slight kick.
Recipe Variations
1. Bacon Cheddar Rollups:
Add crisp bacon bits to filling and use smoked cheddar for extra depth.
2. Jalapeño Popper Style:
Stir in diced jalapeños and cream cheese with beef, top with pepper jack cheese.
3. Italian-Inspired:
Use Italian seasoning, mix in marinara into beef, top with mozzarella and a basil garnish.
4. Veggie Boost:
Add finely chopped spinach or bell pepper to beef mixture, hold cheese or reduce slightly for balance.
Final Thoughts
As we cleared the table, Mr. Ellis wiped his mouth and said, “These taste just like I remember.” Funny how food can bring back such vivid snapshots of life. I packed him some leftovers. He said he’d share them with his grandson. I hope that kid finds them just as comforting.
Best Garlic Butter Beef Cheeseburger Rollups
Print ThisIngredients
- Filling
- 450 g ground beef
- ½ tsp fine salt
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 60 g diced onions
- 110 g shredded cheddar cheese
- Dough & Garnish
- 1 can (225 g) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat Oven
Set oven to 190 °C. Line a baking sheet or grease it lightly.
2. Cook Beef Filling
Sauté ground beef and onions in a skillet with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder (½ tsp each) for 8–10 minutes. Drain and cool slightly.
3. Add Cheese
Stir in 110 g shredded cheddar until well mixed.
4. Prep Dough
Unroll crescent dough; separate into 8 triangles.
5. Fill & Roll
Spoon filling onto wide end of each triangle. Roll tightly and place seam-side down.
6. Brush with Garlic Butter
Mix melted butter with 1 tsp garlic powder. Brush over rollups.
7. Bake
Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden and puffed.
8. Garnish & Serve
Sprinkle with parsley if desired. Serve warm with dips.
