I still remember the first time I made these — the kitchen filled with savory garlic butter aroma while melted cheddar oozed from warm, golden crescents. Garlic Butter Beef Cheeseburger Rollups are bite-sized, hamburger-flavored pockets made by filling crescent roll dough with seasoned ground beef and cheddar, then baking until puffed and golden. They’re quick, comforting, and perfect when you want cheeseburger flavor without firing up the grill.
Reasons to try it
These rollups are a no-fuss way to get all the components of a cheeseburger in a neat package. They’re ideal for busy weeknights, game-day snacking, or packing for lunches. Benefits include:
- Speed: total hands-on time is low; the oven does most of the work.
- Crowd-pleasing: kids and adults both love the familiar cheeseburger flavor.
- Budget-friendly: simple pantry ingredients and a single pound of beef feed several people.
- Versatile: they can be served as appetizers, sandwiches, or a main when paired with a salad.
“Everything about these says comfort food—garlic butter on top makes them irresistible.” — a quick reader note from my test kitchen
The cooking process explained
Overview: Brown the beef with garlic and seasonings, drain the fat, then spoon the beef and cheddar onto crescent roll triangles. Roll, seal, brush with garlic butter, bake until puffed and golden, rest briefly, and serve warm.
Step-by-step outline:
- Preheat oven and prepare a baking sheet.
- Brown and season the ground beef; drain excess fat.
- Unroll crescent dough and portion beef plus cheddar onto each triangle.
- Roll the dough, seal seams, and place seam-side down.
- Brush with melted butter and bake 12–15 minutes.
- Rest briefly before serving.
This short roadmap gives you a quick preview so you know exactly what to expect before you start.
What you’ll need
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced (about 2–3 cloves)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp for more flavor; mild is fine for kids)
- 1 package refrigerated crescent roll dough (usually 8 triangles)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted (use salted or unsalted and adjust salt)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Substitutions/notes: Swap ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version. Use pepper jack for a spicy kick or mozzarella for a milder, stringier melt. If you don’t have fresh garlic, 1 teaspoon garlic powder can substitute.
Directions to follow
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with a spatula.
- Stir in the minced garlic, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and fully cooked.
- Drain any excess fat from the skillet and return the beef to the heat briefly to remove extra moisture.
- Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into individual triangles on a clean surface.
- Spoon about a heaping tablespoon of the beef mixture onto the wide end of each triangle. Sprinkle a little shredded cheddar over the beef.
- Roll each triangle up from the wide end toward the point, pressing the seam to seal. Place the rollups seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush the tops with the melted butter and sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the dough is puffed and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let rest 2–3 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy the cheesy, juicy rollups.
Serving suggestions
- Serve with classic burger condiments on the side: ketchup, mustard, and dill pickles for dipping.
- Pair with a crisp green salad or coleslaw to cut the richness.
- For a loaded plate, add oven fries or sweet potato wedges.
- Make a dipping station: garlic aioli, ranch, or a smoky BBQ sauce pair especially well.
- For party service, place the rollups on a platter with toothpicks (remove toothpicks before eating) and small bowls of sauces.
Storage and reheating tips
- Refrigerator: Store cooled rollups in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days (per USDA guidelines for cooked ground beef).
- Freezing: To freeze, arrange cooled rollups on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Transfer to a freezer bag and store up to 2 months for best quality. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: For best texture, reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 8–12 minutes until warmed through and crisp on the outside. Microwaving is faster but makes the dough softer; reheat briefly and then finish in a hot skillet or broiler for a minute if you want crispness.
- Food safety: Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of baking. Reheat to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) when serving.
Pro chef tips
- Don’t overfill the crescents — a heaping tablespoon keeps the seam manageable and prevents leakage.
- Drain the beef well; excess grease will make the dough soggy.
- Brush with butter just before baking for the best browning. You can add a pinch of garlic powder or finely minced garlic to the butter for extra punch.
- Seal seams tightly by pressing with your fingers or tucking the point under the roll.
- If you like a crispier crust, give the tops a quick broil for 30–60 seconds at the end—watch closely so they don’t burn.
Flavor swaps
- BBQ cheeseburger rollups: mix 1–2 tablespoons of BBQ sauce into the beef and add chopped red onion.
- Bacon cheeseburger: fold in 1/2 cup cooked, crumbled bacon with the beef.
- Vegan/vegetarian: use seasoned crumbled tempeh or plant-based ground beef and dairy-free cheese.
- Breakfast twist: add a scrambled egg and cheddar for morning rollups.
- Tex-Mex: swap cheddar for pepper jack and add a tablespoon of taco seasoning to the beef.
Common questions
Q: How long does this recipe take from start to finish?
A: About 25–30 minutes total. Browning the beef takes 8–10 minutes, assembly 5–7 minutes, and baking 12–15 minutes.
Q: Can I make these ahead and bake later?
A: Yes. Assemble and place on a parchment-lined sheet, then cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Alternatively, freeze assembled rollups and bake from frozen (you’ll need a few extra minutes in the oven).
Q: Are these safe to freeze?
A: Absolutely. Freeze cooked or assembled (unbaked) rollups. Cooked rollups keep best for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating if frozen cooked.
Q: Can I use pizza dough or biscuit dough instead of crescent rolls?
A: Yes. Pizza dough gives a chewier, breadier result; biscuit dough puffs differently and may be denser. Adjust baking time if using a thicker dough.
Q: How can I make them less greasy?
A: Use lean ground beef (90/10 or leaner) and be sure to drain and blot excess fat after cooking.
Q: My rollups get soggy—what did I do wrong?
A: Likely too much filling or fat. Use less filling per triangle and drain the beef thoroughly. Also bake on parchment on a hot sheet and don’t stack them immediately after baking.
Conclusion
If you want a quick, comforting snack that captures cheeseburger flavor with minimal fuss, these Garlic Butter Beef Cheeseburger Rollups are a smart choice. For the original source and one more set of tips, see the Garlic Butter Cheeseburger Rollups recipe page.
Print
Garlic Butter Beef Cheeseburger Rollups
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: None
Description
Savory, bite-sized rollups filled with seasoned ground beef and cheddar cheese, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced (about 2–3 cloves)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 package refrigerated crescent roll dough (usually 8 triangles)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and break it up with a spatula.
- Stir in the minced garlic, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook until the beef is browned and fully cooked.
- Drain any excess fat from the skillet and return the beef to the heat briefly to remove extra moisture.
- Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into individual triangles on a clean surface.
- Spoon about a heaping tablespoon of the beef mixture onto the wide end of each triangle. Sprinkle a little shredded cheddar over the beef.
- Roll each triangle up from the wide end toward the point, pressing the seam to seal. Place the rollups seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Brush the tops with the melted butter and sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the dough is puffed and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let rest 2–3 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy the cheesy, juicy rollups.
Notes
These rollups can be served with classic burger condiments on the side and are great for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American