A few weeks back, our neighbor’s teenage son, Jordan, helped my husband build a shed out back. As a thank-you, I told him to come by anytime for a warm meal. One Sunday afternoon, he did, just as I was pulling a tray of garlic butter beef cheeseburger rollups from the oven. He sniffed the air, smiled, and said, “Smells like fast food, but better.”
We all sat down, and within minutes, there wasn’t a crumb left. Even my youngest, who’s usually picky about anything wrapped in dough, asked for seconds. What makes this recipe so great is how easy it is to pull together on a busy weeknight. Just ground beef, garlic butter, cheese, and a soft roll of dough.
It’s one of those meals you can whip up without a grocery run and still feel like you’ve done something special for your family. I’ve since made these rollups for school potlucks, game nights, and even a bake sale where they were gone in ten minutes flat. A coworker of mine even brought them to a family reunion last weekend and texted me, “My cousin called them genius.”
Short Description
These Garlic Butter Beef Cheeseburger Rollups are the ultimate comfort food shortcut—flaky crescent dough filled with cheesy, seasoned beef and brushed with garlic butter. Easy to make, quick to bake, and loved by the whole family.
Key Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 450 grams ground beef
- 0.5 teaspoon fine salt
- 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- 60 grams diced onions
- 110 grams shredded cheddar cheese
For the Dough and Garnish:
- 1 can (225 grams) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Tools Needed
- Medium nonstick skillet
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or cooking spray
- Small bowl for garlic butter
- Pastry brush
Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with cooking spray.
Step 2: Cook the Beef Mixture
Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onions. Sprinkle in salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Sauté for 8–10 minutes, stirring often, until beef is browned and onions are soft. Drain any excess fat and let the mixture cool for 5 minutes.
Step 3: Mix in the Cheese
Stir the shredded cheddar cheese into the warm beef mixture until evenly combined.
Step 4: Prepare the Dough
Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into 8 individual triangles.
Step 5: Fill and Roll
Place a heaping tablespoon of beef filling onto the wide end of each triangle. Roll gently toward the tip, tucking in the sides slightly to keep the filling from spilling. Place each roll seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 6: Brush with Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, combine melted butter and garlic powder. Brush the tops of each roll generously with this mixture.
Step 7: Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp on top.
Step 8: Garnish and Serve
Remove from oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley, if using. Let cool for a few minutes before serving warm with dipping sauces.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Comforting and Cheesy: Each bite is warm, melty, and packed with rich flavor.
Quick Weeknight Win: Done in under 30 minutes with easy cleanup.
Kid-Approved: The flavors mimic a cheeseburger, making it an instant hit.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Can be prepped earlier and baked later.
Budget-Conscious: Uses simple pantry and fridge staples.
Mistakes to Avoid & Solutions
Overstuffing the Dough: It’s tempting to pile in the filling, but too much causes leaks. Stick to 1 heaping tablespoon per roll.
Not Draining the Beef: Extra fat will make the rollups soggy. Always drain after cooking.
Rolling Too Tight: If rolled too tightly, the dough won’t expand and cook properly. Keep it snug, but leave room for the dough to puff.
Undercooking: Pull them out only when they’re golden brown on top. Underdone centers won’t hold together well.
Skipping the Garlic Butter: This adds flavor and helps browning. Don’t skip it unless you absolutely have to.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
Serve as a snack with ketchup, mustard, or ranch for dipping.
Turn them into a full meal with a side of sweet potato fries or a green salad.
Perfect for party platters—serve family-style with assorted dips.
They also pair great with tomato soup or a chilled pickle slaw.
For a brunch twist, serve alongside scrambled eggs and fresh fruit.
Storage and Reheating Tips
To Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To Freeze: Wrap each cooled roll individually in foil, then place in a zip-top freezer bag. Freeze up to 1 month.
To Reheat (Oven): Bake at 175°C (350°F) for 8–10 minutes until heated through.
To Reheat (Air Fryer): Heat at 180°C (360°F) for 4–5 minutes.
To Reheat (Microwave): Wrap in a paper towel and heat for 30–40 seconds, though the dough may lose its crispness.
FAQs
1. Can I use puff pastry instead of crescent dough?
Yes, but keep in mind puff pastry will take longer to bake and may be flakier. Adjust bake time as needed.
2. Can I add other fillings?
Absolutely! Try cooked mushrooms, jalapeños, or even cooked bacon bits for variety.
3. Can I make these vegetarian?
Yes. Substitute the beef with cooked lentils or crumbled tofu, and adjust seasoning to taste.
4. Can I prepare these ahead of time?
You can assemble the rollups and refrigerate them covered for up to 24 hours before baking.
5. Why did my rollups burst open?
Most likely due to overfilling or not sealing the ends well. Make sure to tuck and pinch the dough ends lightly.
Tips & Tricks
Let the beef mixture cool before adding cheese, it helps prevent greasy filling.
Use parchment paper to avoid sticking and for easier cleanup.
Don’t skip the garlic butter, it’s what gives these their signature flavor.
Want extra crispy bottoms? Bake directly on a greased baking sheet.
Add a pinch of chili flakes to the butter for a spicy kick.
Recipe Variations
1. Taco Rollups
Swap beef seasoning for taco seasoning
Add 2 tablespoons salsa to the filling
Top with sour cream and chopped cilantro after baking
2. Breakfast Rollups
Replace beef with scrambled eggs and cooked sausage
Add a slice of cheese to each before rolling
Bake as directed and serve with hot sauce
3. Barbecue Cheeseburger Rollups
Mix 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce into the beef
Add pepper jack cheese for extra flavor
Brush with garlic butter and bake as usual
4. Veggie Lover’s Rollups
Use sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, and onions
Add mozzarella or cheddar cheese
Sprinkle with Italian seasoning before baking
Final thoughts
Jordan still stops by every so often, hoping there’s a batch waiting. Sometimes there is, sometimes there’s something new but he always asks, “You ever gonna teach me how to make those rollups?” And I always say, “Only if you promise to pass them on.”
Garlic Butter Beef Cheeseburger Rollups
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 450 grams ground beef
- 0.5 teaspoon fine salt
- 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
- 60 grams diced onions
- 110 grams shredded cheddar cheese
For the Dough and Garnish:
- 1 can 225 grams refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley optional
Instructions
- Heat oven to 190°C (375°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment or grease lightly.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef and diced onions with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder for 8–10 minutes. Drain and cool slightly.
- Stir cheddar cheese into the warm beef mixture.
- Unroll crescent dough and separate into 8 triangles.
- Add a spoonful of beef mix to the wide end of each triangle. Roll up and place seam-side down on the sheet.
- Mix melted butter with garlic powder. Brush over each roll.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, until golden and crisp.
- Sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired. Let cool a few minutes and serve warm with your favorite dips.
