Garlic Butter Bacon Cheeseburger Rollups

Description: These Garlic Butter Bacon Cheeseburger Rollups are a delightful twist on the classic cheeseburger, transforming it into a convenient, shareable, and utterly delicious appetizer or snack. Imagine all the flavors of your favorite cheeseburger – savory ground beef, crispy bacon, melty cheddar, tangy pickles – all wrapped up in a soft, golden-brown pizza dough and brushed with a fragrant garlic butter. These rollups are incredibly easy to make, perfect for parties, game nights, or a fun family meal.

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend recommended for flavor)
  • 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled (approximately 6-8 strips)
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or mild, depending on your preference)
  • 1/4 cup diced pickles (dill or sweet, your choice!)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tube (13.8 oz) refrigerated pizza dough (such as Pillsbury or similar)
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (freshly minced is best for flavor)
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
  • Ketchup and mustard (for dipping, optional)

Preparation:

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures even cooking and a beautiful golden-brown crust. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Parchment paper prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.

Step 2: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef. Break it up with a spatula as it cooks, ensuring even browning. Continue cooking until the beef is no longer pink.

Step 3: Season the cooked ground beef with salt and pepper to taste. Don’t be shy with the seasoning – it’s crucial for flavorful rollups. Stir in the crumbled bacon. The bacon adds a smoky, salty element that complements the beef perfectly. Remove the skillet from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly. This prevents the pizza dough from becoming soggy when you add the filling.

Step 4: Unroll the refrigerated pizza dough on a lightly floured surface. Gently stretch it into a large rectangle, about 12×16 inches. The thinner the dough, the more layers you’ll have in your rollups.

Step 5: Spread the cooked beef and bacon mixture evenly over the pizza dough rectangle, leaving a small border along the edges. This helps prevent the filling from spilling out during baking. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and diced pickles over the beef mixture. Distribute the cheese and pickles evenly for consistent flavor in every bite.

Step 6: Starting at one end, tightly roll up the dough into a log. Be careful to not roll to tight and damage the dough. Pinch the seam to seal it. This creates a neat, uniform log that’s easy to slice.

Step 7: Using a sharp knife, slice the log into 1-inch thick pieces. You should get approximately 12-16 rollups from one log.

Step 8: Place each roll-up, cut-side up, on the prepared baking sheet. Space them slightly apart to allow for even baking.

Step 9: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter and minced garlic. The garlic butter adds a rich, aromatic flavor to the rollups.

Step 10: Brush the garlic butter generously over each roll-up. This helps create a golden-brown, crispy crust.

Step 11: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until the roll-ups are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.

Step 12: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, for a pop of color and freshness. Serve warm with ketchup and mustard for dipping, if desired.

Why you will love this recipe

These Garlic Butter Bacon Cheeseburger Rollups are a crowd-pleaser for several reasons:

  • Flavor Explosion: They combine the best flavors of a classic cheeseburger – savory beef, smoky bacon, melty cheese, and tangy pickles – in a fun and unexpected way.
  • Easy to Make: With just a few simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, these rollups are perfect for even beginner cooks.
  • Versatile: They’re great as an appetizer, snack, party food, or even a fun weeknight meal.
  • Customizable: You can easily customize the filling to suit your preferences – add onions, peppers, jalapenos, or your favorite cheese.
  • Portable: These rollups are easy to transport, making them perfect for potlucks, picnics, and tailgating.
  • Kid-Friendly: Kids love these rollups, making them a great way to get them involved in the kitchen.
  • Impressive Presentation: The golden-brown, cheesy rollups look great on a platter, making them perfect for entertaining.

Serving Suggestions:

  • Serve warm with ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, or your favorite dipping sauce.
  • Pair them with a side of fries, onion rings, or a salad for a complete meal.
  • Arrange them on a platter with toothpicks for easy serving at parties.
  • Serve them as part of a game-day spread with other appetizers like wings, nachos, and sliders.
  • Wrap them individually for a quick and easy lunch on the go.

Tips:

  • Use a good quality ground beef with some fat content (80/20 blend is recommended) for the best flavor and texture.
  • Cook the bacon until it’s crispy and then crumble it into small pieces.
  • Don’t overfill the rollups, or they will be difficult to roll and may burst during baking.
  • Make sure to seal the seam of the dough tightly to prevent the filling from leaking out.
  • If you don’t have fresh parsley, you can use dried parsley or omit it altogether.
  • For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the beef mixture.
  • If you’re making these ahead of time, you can assemble the rollups and store them in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Just add a few minutes to the baking time.
  • For extra cheesy rollups, sprinkle some additional shredded cheese on top before baking.
  • Use different types of cheese, such as pepper jack, Monterey Jack, or Colby Jack, to customize the flavor.
  • Add some finely chopped onions or peppers to the beef mixture for added flavor and texture.
  • Substitute the pizza dough with puff pastry for a flakier, more decadent version.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 18 minutes

Total Time: 33 minutes

Nutritional Information: (per serving, estimated)

  • Calories: 280 kcal
  • Protein: 18 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg (depending on the salt content of the bacon and pickles)

Conclusion

These Garlic Butter Bacon Cheeseburger Rollups are a guaranteed hit! They’re easy to make, customizable, and bursting with flavor. Whether you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer, a fun snack, or a unique twist on a classic meal, these rollups are sure to satisfy. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to enjoy a taste of cheeseburger heaven in every bite! These rollups will vanish faster than you can say “cheeseburger”.

5 Questions and Answers about this Recipe

  1. Can I make these rollups ahead of time?
    • Absolutely! You can assemble the rollups and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time to ensure they are cooked through.
  2. Can I freeze these rollups?
    • Yes, you can freeze them. Bake the rollups according to the instructions, then let them cool completely. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. To reheat, bake them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through.
  3. What can I substitute for the pizza dough?
    • If you’re looking for a flakier alternative, you can use puff pastry instead of pizza dough. You can also try using crescent roll dough for a softer, slightly sweeter rollup.
  4. What kind of pickles should I use?
    • The type of pickles you use is entirely up to your personal preference. Dill pickles will give the rollups a tangy, savory flavor, while sweet pickles will add a touch of sweetness. You can even use bread and butter pickles for a unique flavor combination.
  5. Can I make these rollups vegetarian?
    • Yes, you can easily make these rollups vegetarian by substituting the ground beef with a plant-based ground beef alternative or cooked lentils. You can also add some chopped vegetables like mushrooms, onions, or bell peppers to the filling.

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