Garlic Butter Bacon Cheeseburger Rollups

Recipe Name: Garlic Butter Bacon Cheeseburger Rollups
Total Time: 55 minutes
Active Prep: 25 minutes
Cook/Bake Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Intermediate (but worth it!)
Yield: 6 hearty rollups (serves 4-6)
Calories per rollup: Approximately 410 kcal

A Flavor-Packed Escape from the Bun

Tired of the same old burger? Crave all the iconic flavors without the mess of a crumbling bun? Enter the Garlic Butter Bacon Cheeseburger Rollup – a brilliant, elegant, and utterly delicious reimagining of the American classic. This recipe takes everything we love about a loaded bacon cheeseburger—the savory beef, melty cheese, crispy bacon, and tangy pickles—and wraps it all up in a soft, garlic-butter-brushed crescent dough blanket. Each slice reveals a stunning pinwheel of cheesy, beefy goodness, with the garlic butter infusing every layer with rich, aromatic flavor. It’s fun to make, impressive to serve, and delivers an explosion of familiar taste in every bite. Perfect for game day, a family dinner with a twist, or a party appetizer that will vanish in minutes, these rollups are a guaranteed conversation starter and a new favorite you’ll make again and again.

Ingredients

For the Filling:

1 lb (450g) lean ground beef (85/15)
½ cup yellow onion, finely diced
4 strips thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled (reserve 1 tbsp fat)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon yellow mustard
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
⅓ cup dill pickle chips, patted dry and finely chopped
1 ½ cups (6 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
¼ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (for melt)

For the Dough & Garlic Butter:

2 (8-ounce) tubes refrigerated crescent roll dough (or 2 sheets crescent dough)
4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
½ teaspoon onion powder
For Topping: 1 tablespoon everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, or poppy seeds (optional)

For Serving (The “Burger Bar” Finish):

Special Sauce: ¼ cup mayonnaise + 2 tbsp ketchup + 1 tsp pickle brine + ½ tsp smoked paprika
Extra pickle chips
Shredded iceberg lettuce
Sliced tomatoes
Additional ketchup and mustard

Equipment

Large skillet
Medium mixing bowl
Small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl
Rolling pin
Parchment paper
Baking sheet
Sharp chef’s knife
Pastry brush
Toothpicks

Instructions

Part 1: Crafting the Ultimate Filling (Time: 15 minutes | Intensity: Medium)

Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Brown the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion. Break up the beef with a wooden spoon until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
Build Flavor: Return the skillet to medium heat. Push the beef to one side. Add the reserved tablespoon of bacon fat (or 1 tbsp butter) to the empty space and sauté the 2 cloves of minced garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir into the beef.
Season & Finish: To the beef mixture, add the Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine and cook for 1 more minute. Remove from heat and transfer to a medium mixing bowl. Let cool for 5-10 minutes. This is critical—a hot filling will melt the dough prematurely.
The Cheesy Mix-In: Once the beef mixture is warm but not hot, fold in the crumbled bacon, chopped pickles, cheddar cheese, and Monterey Jack cheese. Mix until evenly distributed. The mixture should hold together when pressed.

Part 2: Assembling the Masterpiece (Time: 10 minutes | Intensity: Medium)

Prepare the Dough Canvas: Unroll both tubes of crescent dough. If using perforated sheets, firmly press the seams together to form two large rectangles. On a lightly floured piece of parchment paper, use a rolling pin to roll each rectangle into a 10×12 inch sheet, smoothing any seams.
Divide & Conquer: Spoon half of the cheeseburger filling evenly onto each dough rectangle, leaving a ½-inch border on all sides. Gently press the filling into an even layer.
The Tight Roll: Starting from one long side, use the parchment paper to help you tightly roll the dough and filling into a log, jelly-roll style. Pinch the final seam and ends closed to seal. Carefully transfer each log to the prepared baking sheet, seam-side down, leaving space between them.

Part 3: The Garlic Butter Glaze & Bake (Time: 30 minutes | Intensity: Passive)

Make the Garlic Butter: While the rolls chill for 5 minutes on the sheet, make the glaze. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Add the 3 cloves of minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Remove from heat and stir in the chopped parsley and onion powder.
Glaze and Score: Using a pastry brush, generously brush each log with half of the garlic butter. Using a sharp knife, score the top of each log with 5-6 shallow, diagonal slashes (about ¼-inch deep). This allows steam to escape and creates a beautiful presentation. If using, sprinkle with everything bagel or sesame seeds.
Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake in the preheated oven for 22-28 minutes, or until the dough is puffed and a deep, golden brown all over.
The Final Glaze: Remove from the oven. Immediately brush the hot rollups with the remaining garlic butter. This final layer adds incredible flavor and shine. Let rest on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before slicing. This rest allows the cheese to set slightly, ensuring clean cuts.

Serving & The Slice Reveal

Slice & Reveal: Using a serrated knife, carefully slice each log into 1-inch thick pinwheels. Wipe the knife clean between cuts for perfect presentation.
The Burger Bar Spread: Arrange the warm rollup slices on a platter. Serve with small bowls of the special sauce, extra pickles, shredded lettuce, and tomato slices on the side. Let everyone build their perfect “burger bite” by topping a slice with their favorite condiments.
As a Main Course: Serve 1-2 rollups per person alongside a crisp garden salad or crispy potato wedges.

Recipe Notes & Pro-Tips for Success

Cool the Filling: This is the #1 rule. A hot filling will make the dough greasy, difficult to roll, and may cause it to tear or leak.
Dough Management: Keep the dough cool. Work relatively quickly, and if the dough becomes too soft, pop it in the fridge for 5 minutes.
Seal Thoroughly: Pinching the final seam and ends closed is crucial to prevent cheese from oozing out during baking.
Customize Your Burger: Add a teaspoon of burger seasoning to the beef. For a “Western” twist, mix in 2 tablespoons of finely diced roasted green chilies. For a “Big Mac” style, add a teaspoon of pickle brine and a pinch of onion powder to the meat.
Make-Ahead Magic: You can assemble the logs up to 24 hours in advance. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap on the baking sheet and refrigerate. Brush with butter and bake straight from the fridge, adding 3-5 minutes to the bake time.
Freezing Instructions: After assembling, wrap logs tightly in plastic and foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as directed.
Air Fryer Option: For a smaller batch, bake one log in a 350°F air fryer for 14-18 minutes, brushing with butter halfway through.

Nutrition Information (Per rollup, based on 6 rollups total, without additional toppings)

Calories: 410 kcal
Total Carbohydrates: 24g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 6g
Protein: 22g
Total Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 75mg
Sodium: 850mg

Nutritional information is an estimate. Values will vary based on specific brands of crescent dough, cheese, and bacon used. The special sauce and additional toppings will add extra calories.

Final Word: The Garlic Butter Bacon Cheeseburger Rollup is a testament to the joy of creative cooking. It takes a beloved formula and presents it in a new, shareable, and irresistibly delicious form. The process of rolling, slicing, and revealing the colorful interior is half the fun. This recipe is a keeper for its perfect balance of simplicity and “wow” factor, proving that with a few clever twists, you can turn Tuesday night dinner into a memorable event. Save this recipe, share it with friends, and get ready to redefine what a cheeseburger can be.