Chef Mike Williams - Comfort Food Specialist
👨‍🍳 Comfort Food Chef

Recipe by Mitchell

🎓 Culinary Arts Graduate ⏰ 16+ Years Experience 🍽️ Family Recipe Expert

❤️ My Recipe Story

"These rollups were born from a busy weeknight when I wanted to make cheeseburgers but craved something different. My kids loved helping roll them up, and now they're our go-to for game day parties and family dinners alike."

Mike specializes in creating family-friendly comfort food that brings everyone to the table. He believes the best recipes are those that create memories while satisfying both kids and adults with bold, familiar flavors.

View All Mitchell's Recipes →
Golden-brown cheeseburger rollups on a serving platter, brushed with garlic butter and topped with sesame seeds and fresh parsley

The Perfect Beef and Cheese Combination

Creating the ideal filling requires balancing moisture, flavor, and texture. The combination of ground beef and cream cheese creates a creamy base that holds everything together, while the sharp cheddar provides that classic cheeseburger taste and satisfying cheese pull.

The secret lies in properly seasoning the beef mixture and allowing it to cool slightly before adding the cheese. This prevents the cheese from melting completely during assembly, ensuring distinct pockets of melted cheese in every bite.

💡 Professional Tip

Let the beef mixture cool for 5 minutes before adding the cheese cubes. This prevents them from melting completely and ensures better distribution throughout the rollups.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! Assemble the rollups and refrigerate for up to 4 hours before baking. Add 2-3 extra minutes to the baking time if starting from cold.

Don't overfill the rollups, and make sure to seal the edges well by pinching the dough. Place seam-side down on the baking sheet for extra security.

Freeze assembled unbaked rollups for up to 2 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 5-8 extra minutes to the cooking time.

80/20 ground beef provides the best flavor and moisture. Leaner beef may result in dry filling, while fattier beef can make the rollups greasy.

Absolutely! Try Monterey Jack, Swiss, or pepper jack. Just make sure to use a cheese that melts well and cube it for even distribution.

The rollups should be golden brown all over and the internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C). The dough should sound hollow when tapped.

These work great with french fries, a simple salad, or pickles and chips. For parties, serve with ranch or thousand island dressing for dipping.

Yes! Cut each crescent triangle in half and use less filling. Reduce baking time to 12-15 minutes. Perfect for appetizers or kids' portions.

Recipe Troubleshooting Guide

✅

Soggy Bottom

Problem: Rollups have soggy or undercooked bottoms

Solution: Place on lower oven rack, use a preheated baking stone, or brush bottom of dough with garlic butter before filling.

✅

Filling Leaks Out

Problem: Beef and cheese mixture leaks during baking

Solution: Use less filling, seal edges better, and let beef mixture cool completely before assembling. Place seam-side down.

✅

Uneven Browning

Problem: Some rollups brown faster than others

Prevention: Rotate baking sheets halfway through cooking, ensure even spacing, and use light-colored pans for uniform browning.

✅

Dry Filling

Problem: Beef mixture turns out dry or crumbly

Recovery: Don't overcook the beef, use 80/20 ground beef, and ensure cream cheese is fully incorporated while mixture is still warm.

✅

Dough Issues

Problem: Crescent dough tears or won't seal properly

Prevention: Let dough come to room temperature, handle gently, and pinch seams firmly. If dough tears, patch with small pieces.

✅

Flavor Balance Issues

Too Sweet: Add more black pepper, garlic, or a splash of hot sauce

Too Salty: Add a touch more brown sugar or serve with cooling dips

Bland: Increase Worcestershire sauce, garlic, or add pickle relish for tang

Ingredients for cheeseburger rollups including ground beef, crescent roll dough, cheese cubes, garlic, and seasonings arranged on a wooden cutting board

Choosing Quality Ingredients

The foundation of great cheeseburger rollups starts with quality ground beef. Choose fresh ground beef with an 80/20 fat ratio for optimal flavor and moisture. The fat content is essential for keeping the filling juicy and flavorful during baking.

Sharp cheddar cheese provides the best flavor profile, while cream cheese adds richness and helps bind the filling. Fresh garlic makes a significant difference in the garlic butter - avoid pre-minced garlic for the most aromatic results.

Essential Ingredient Notes

  • Ground Beef: Look for freshly ground beef with good marbling. Ask your butcher to grind it fresh if possible, and use within 1-2 days of purchase.
  • Crescent Dough: Keep dough refrigerated until ready to use, and handle gently to prevent tearing. Let it come to room temperature for easier rolling.
  • Cheese Selection: Cube your own cheese from a block for better melting. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can affect texture.
Golden cheeseburger rollups baking in the oven with garlic butter glaze and sesame seeds on top

Mastering the Assembly Technique

Proper assembly is crucial for preventing leaks and ensuring even cooking. The key is not overfilling each rollup and sealing the edges completely. Work with one triangle at a time, keeping the remaining dough covered to prevent drying out.

The garlic butter serves multiple purposes - it adds flavor, helps achieve golden browning, and creates a barrier that helps prevent the dough from becoming soggy. Apply it both before and after baking for maximum impact.

The Perfect Roll

Start rolling from the wide end, tucking in the sides as you go. Roll tightly but not so tight that the filling squeezes out. Seal the point with a gentle press.

Garlic Butter Beef Cheeseburger Rollups

Prep 25 min
Cook 18 min
Serves 8 servings
Level Easy

📋 Ingredients

For the Beef Filling

  • 90g melted butter
    Base for the garlic butter glaze
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
    Fresh garlic for maximum flavor
  • 2 packages crescent roll dough
    Flaky, buttery wrapper
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
    Enhances garlic flavor
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
    Adds Italian herb notes
  • Sesame seeds
    Classic burger bun topping
  • Fresh parsley
    Bright finishing garnish

For Assembly and Finishing

  • 680g ground beef (80/20)
    Perfect fat ratio for juicy filling
  • 225g sharp cheddar, cubed
    Classic cheeseburger flavor
  • 115g cream cheese, softened
    Creamy binding agent
  • 1 large onion, diced
    Sweet, savory foundation
  • 30ml Worcestershire sauce
    Umami depth and complexity
  • 60ml ketchup
    Classic burger condiment flavor
  • 30g brown sugar
    Balances acidity and adds depth

Instructions

  1. Prepare Beef Filling

    Cook ground beef and diced onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat until beef is browned and onion is soft, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat. Add garlic, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and seasonings. Cook 2 more minutes.

  2. Make Cheese Mixture

    Remove from heat and stir in cream cheese, ketchup, and brown sugar until melted and combined. Let cool for 5 minutes, then fold in cubed cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  3. Prepare Garlic Butter

    In a small bowl, combine melted butter with 2 cloves minced garlic, garlic powder, and oregano. Mix well and set aside for brushing.

  4. Assemble Rollups

    Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Unroll crescent dough and separate into triangles. Place 2-3 tablespoons of beef mixture at wide end of each triangle. Roll up tightly and place seam-side down on lined baking sheets.

  5. Bake and Finish

    Brush rollups with garlic butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown. Brush with remaining garlic butter and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Recipe Notes & Tips

Storage

Leftover rollups keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes to restore crispiness rather than microwaving.

Serving Suggestions

Serve with french fries, onion rings, or a fresh garden salad. These also work great as party appetizers with ranch or thousand island dressing for dipping.

Variations

Try adding bacon bits to the filling, use different cheese combinations, or add diced pickles for extra tang. You can also make them spicy with jalapeños or hot sauce.