Garlic Butter Bacon Cheeseburger Rollups – The Ultimate Cheesy Snack! 🥓🧀
Craving something indulgent, cheesy, and packed with flavor? These Garlic Butter Bacon Cheeseburger Rollups hit all the marks: melted cheddar, smoky bacon, savory beef, and crescent dough brushed with garlic butter. They’re perfect for game‑night, a snack, or even a casual dinner. Let’s dive into the details, chef tips, health considerations, and everything you need to make them amazing.
Ingredients & Prep
Ingredients (Makes About 6 Rollups)
- 1 lb (≈ 450‑500 g) ground beef
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (≈ 100‑115 g)
- 1 can crescent roll dough
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Optional: onion powder, ketchup, fresh parsley for garnish
Equipment
- Skillet or frying pan
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper (optional, for easy cleanup)
- Brush for the garlic butter
- Sharp knife or spatula
Step‐by‐Step Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to **375 °F (≈ 190 °C)**. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to avoid sticking.
2. Cook the Beef & Bacon
- In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Season with salt and pepper. Once cooked, drain any excess fat.
- Cook bacon slices separately until crisp, then chop and set aside. Reserve some bacon fat if you like more bacon flavor; otherwise, discard excess.
3. Prepare the Filling
Combine the browned beef, chopped bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese in a mixing bowl. If using onion powder or a small spoon of ketchup (for a cheeseburger‑like flavor), stir those in now.
4. Handle the Dough
Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate into triangles as per the package directions. Be gentle so the dough doesn’t tear.
5. Make the Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, mix melted butter with minced garlic. You can optionally add a pinch of onion powder or fresh parsley for extra flavor. Brush this garlic butter generously over each crescent dough triangle (especially on the side that will be outside of the rollup).
6. Assemble the Rollups
Spoon a portion of the beef‑bacon‑cheese mixture onto the wide end of each crescent triangle. Roll up from the wide end toward the point. Place each rollup seam‑side down on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake
Bake in the preheated oven for about **12‑15 minutes** (sometimes up to 15 if your oven runs cool), or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep an eye so they don’t overbake.
8. Serve & Garnish
Allow the rollups to rest a few minutes after baking so the cheese sets a bit. Garnish with fresh parsley, extra garlic butter on top if desired, or dip into ketchup, ranch, or your favorite sauce.
Chef Tips & Variations
Flavor Upgrades from the Pros
- Add a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce or a dash of smoked paprika to the beef mixture for deeper savory notes.
- Mix in diced onions or jalapeños for extra texture and heat.
- Swap cheddar for pepper jack, smoked gouda, or a cheese blend for different melting qualities and flavor profiles.
Crispy Exterior Hacks
- Ensure the rollups are on a baking sheet with space between them, so they bake evenly.
- Brush the outer dough well with garlic butter (or even a little extra butter at the end) to encourage browning.
- If you have convection bake, use it (reduce time slightly) to help crisp the outside nicely.
Healthier Tweaks
- Use lean ground beef (90‑95%) to reduce saturated fat.
- Skip some bacon or use turkey bacon to lower fat and calories.
- Reduce the amount of cheese or use a lower‑fat cheddar.
- Consider a whole grain or “healthier dough” version if available (though crescent dough is usually white flour based).
Nutrition Estimate & Health Info
Here is an estimated nutrition breakdown per rollup (assuming 6 rollups total, so one rollup ≈ 1/6 of the batch). These are approximate and will vary depending on brand of ingredients, exact weights, etc.
| Nutrient | Estimated Amount per Rollup | Notes / Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | ≈ 300‑350 kcal | Mainly from beef, cheese, bacon, and dough. |
| Protein | ~ 15‑18 g | Beef & cheese supply most of it. |
| Total Fat | ~ 20‑25 g | Includes saturated fat from cheese & bacon. |
| Saturated Fat | ~ 9‑11 g | Limit if watching cholesterol or heart health. |
| Carbohydrates | ~ 15‑20 g | Dough is the major contributor. |
| Fiber | ~ 1‑2 g | Unless dough or add‑ins have fiber, this is modest. |
| Sodium | ~ 600‑800 mg | Cheese, bacon, and dough are salty; adjust accordingly. |
| Cholesterol | ~ 60‑80 mg | From beef, bacon, and cheese. |
Health & Safety Tips
Cooking Meat Safely
- Ensure ground beef is cooked until no pink remains. Use a meat thermometer if unsure (safe internal temp ≈ 160°F / 71°C).
- Drain excess fat but leave some for flavor if desired.
Handling Bacon
- Cook bacon until nicely crisp to reduce fat and improve texture.
- Let bacon rest on paper towels to remove excess grease before chopping.
Garlic & Dough Safety
- Minced garlic can burn easily; mixing it into butter and brushing helps distribute heat evenly.
- Handle the crescent dough gently; avoid over‑stretching so it doesn’t tear and leak filling.
- Use parchment or a non‑stick surface to avoid sticking and burning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I freeze these rollups?
Yes. Assemble them (without baking), flash freeze on a sheet, then store in freezer bag. Bake from frozen—add a few extra minutes. The texture of dough may be slightly softer but still tasty. - What can I serve with these rollups?
They are hearty on their own. Good with a fresh salad (greens + vinaigrette), coleslaw, roasted vegetables, or pickles to cut through richness. Also with dipping sauces: ketchup, ranch, or spicy mustard. - Can I use a different cheese?
Absolutely. Pepper jack for heat, smoked gouda for smoky flavor, mozzarella for stretch—any melty cheese works. - How do I make them less greasy?
Use leaner beef, reduce bacon or drain it well, blot excess fat, use less butter on the outside, and don’t overfill so filling doesn’t leak out. - What if my rollups don’t brown well?
Brush with extra butter or egg wash (a beaten egg) before baking. Also ensure oven is fully preheated. Using convection helps. - Can I add vegetables to the filling?
Sure! Diced bell peppers, onions, mushrooms work. Cook them with the beef so moisture reduces before filling the dough. - Is there a way to reduce carbs?
You might try using low‑carb dough, wrap in lettuce (lessly classic), or smaller dough portions. But crescent roll dough tends to have flour so carbs will be moderate. - Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble them and refrigerate uncooked up to 12‑24 hours. Brush with garlic butter just before baking. Bake when ready to eat. - How do I store leftovers?
Let cool, store in fridge in airtight container for up to 2‑3 days. Reheat in oven or air fryer to restore crispness; avoid microwaving if you want the crust to stay crisp. - Are these good for parties?
Definitely! They’re handheld, flavorful, and crowd‑pleasing. Make an extra batch, keep warm in oven set to low, or serve with dips to stretch out servings.
Recipe Summary
- Prep Time: ~ 15 minutes
- Cook Time: ~ 15 minutes
- Total Time: ~ 30 minutes
- Servings: ~ 6 rollups
- Estimated Calories per Rollup: 300‑350 kcal
Why You’ll Love This Dish
It’s cheesy, bacon‑rich, buttery, and satisfying. Combines textures (crispy dough + molten cheese + meaty filling) and flavors (garlic + beef + bacon + cheddar). It’s comfort food, snack food, and party food all in one. If you want indulgence—with possibilities to adjust for health—this rollup delivers.
