Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These rollups combine familiar comfort-food flavours with fun, handheld convenience. The buttery, flaky wrap pairs wonderfully with the savoury seasoned beef and gooey cheddar inside. It’s quick to put together, makes a strong impression, and fits perfectly for a busy weeknight or casual get-together.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

→ Savoury beef filling

1 pound ground beef
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ cup yellow onion, diced
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

→ Dough and garlic butter topping

2 tubes (8 count each) refrigerated crescent roll dough
4 tablespoons (¼ cup) unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

Directions

Preheat your oven to 375 °F (190 °C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is no longer pink and the onion is translucent (about 8-10 minutes). Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Remove from heat.
Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese into the beef mixture until evenly combined.
Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate into individual triangles along the perforations.
Place a generous tablespoon of the beef-cheese mixture on the wide end of each triangle, leaving a small margin around the edges for sealing.
Tightly roll each triangle from the wide end toward the pointed end, tucking in any escaping filling if needed. Place each roll-up seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.
In a small bowl, mix the melted butter with the garlic powder. Using a pastry brush, generously brush the tops of all the rollups with this garlic-butter mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crescent dough is golden brown and sounds hollow when lightly tapped. In the final 3 minutes of baking, you may choose to brush a second coat of the garlic butter for extra shine and flavour.
Remove from oven and if using parsley, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the rollups for garnish. Let rest 1-2 minutes before serving.

Servings and timing

Makes about 8 rollups (serves 4 if 2 rollups per person, more if used as appetizers).
Preparation time: ~15 minutes.
Cooking time: ~15 minutes.
Total time: ~30 minutes.

Variations

Add finely diced jalapeños or a pinch of chili flakes to the beef mixture to bring in some heat.
Swap the sharp cheddar for a blend of cheddar and pepper jack or smoked gouda for a different flavour profile.
Use whole wheat or gluten-free crescent dough if available, to suit dietary preferences.
Sprinkle finely chopped bacon or cooked bacon bits into the beef mixture for a bacon-cheeseburger twist.
Serve with dipping sauces, such as ketchup, mustard-mayo blend, or a garlic aioli to elevate the experience.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Let any leftovers cool to room temperature, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Reheating: Preheat your oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Place rollups on a baking sheet and heat for about 8–10 minutes or until warmed through and the dough is crisp again. Microwaving is possible but may make the exterior less crispy.
Freezing: You can freeze the baked rollups (once cooled) in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven from frozen, adding a couple extra minutes to the heating time.

FAQs

What type of ground beef should I use?

Use an 85/15 blend (about 15% fat) or similar. It offers good flavour without too much grease. If you use leaner beef, you might want to drain excess liquid after cooking.

Can I make these in advance and bake later?

Yes — you can assemble the rollups, brush them with the garlic butter, then keep them covered in the fridge for up to a few hours before baking. Bake just before serving for best texture.

Can I substitute fresh garlic instead of garlic powder for the butter topping?

Absolutely. Mince 1-2 fresh garlic cloves and mix with the melted butter before brushing. It will give you a fresher, more robust garlic flavour. Just be careful not to burn the garlic on top while baking.

How do I ensure the rollups don’t burst open during baking?

Make sure you tuck in the filling well before rolling and place them seam-side down on the baking sheet. Also, don’t overfill the triangles. Leaving a small margin around the edges helps keep them sealed.

Can I use a different type of dough?

Yes, you can use pizza dough or puff pastry sheets instead of crescent roll dough. Just adjust the rolling and baking time as needed (pizza dough may require slightly longer).

Are these vegetarian-friendly?

As written, no—they contain ground beef. But you could substitute a plant-based meat alternative or cooked lentils mixed with the same seasonings to make a vegetarian version.

Can I add vegetables to the filling?

Yes. You could sauté finely diced bell pepper, mushrooms or spinach along with the onion in step 2 to add more veggies and flavour.

What sides go well with these rollups?

They work great with a simple mixed green salad, steamed vegetables, potato wedges or sweet potato fries. For a lighter meal, pair with a crisp vegetable slaw or fresh raw veggie sticks.

How do I know when they are done?

The dough should be a deep golden brown, puffed slightly, and sound hollow when tapped. The bottom should be golden brown as well—lifting one rollup slightly with a spatula to peek underneath helps ensure even baking.

Can I make mini versions for a party appetizer?

Yes—simply divide the dough into smaller triangles (or use a half-sheet size) and roll accordingly. Bake for slightly less time (start checking around 10-12 minutes) so the smaller size doesn’t overcook.

Conclusion

This recipe for garlic butter beef rollups brings together rich, savory beef with melty cheese and buttery, flaky dough — all in a convenient handheld form. It’s both simple and impressive, perfect for dinner, snacks or entertaining. With flexible variations and easy reheating, it can easily become a go-to in your cooking rotation. Enjoy making and sharing them!