Tasty Cheese Garlic Rolls

These gooey cheese garlic rolls transform basic items into a crowd-pleasing snack that vanishes quickly at every party. The mix of flaky crescent pastry wrapped around stretchy mozzarella and packed with garlic and herbs hits that sweet spot between simple comfort and pure indulgence.

I first whipped these up for my nephew during his fussy eating stage. The second he tasted that first cheesy stretch, his face brightened and he wanted more. They've become a must-have at all our family events now.

Ingredients

• Refrigerated crescent rolls: Serve as the quick convenient foundation, so you don't have to make dough yourself
• String cheese: Delivers that amazing meltiness and satisfying stretch that everyone craves
• Butter: Adds depth and helps the seasonings coat every mouthful
• Fresh garlic: Packs a punch that powdered just can't match, pick solid bulbs with no green shoots
• Italian seasoning: Brings layered herbal flavors without needing several different bottles
• Dried parsley and basil: Boost the smell and look of your finished rolls

Step-by-Step Instructions

Set Up Your Kitchen:

Heat your oven to 375°F and put parchment on a baking tray. This heat works perfectly to make the rolls puff up and turn golden while letting the cheese melt without burning. The paper stops them from sticking and makes cleanup super easy.

Mix Your Seasonings:

Put melted butter in a small bowl and add Italian seasoning, crushed garlic, dried parsley, and basil. Mix well so the herbs spread evenly through the butter. This flavored butter is what turns plain crescents into something amazing.

Put Them Together:

Open the crescent package and pull apart the triangles. Brush each piece generously with your garlic herb butter, but save some for the tops later. Put half a cheese stick at the wide end of each triangle, then roll it up, making sure to pinch the edges closed so the cheese stays inside.

Cook Until Golden:

Brush more garlic butter mix over your rolled-up crescents. This extra coating adds flavor and helps them turn a beautiful gold color. Bake them for 10-12 minutes until they're lightly browned and the cheese has completely melted inside.

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When I first made these for my husband, he gobbled up six in one sitting. The combo of soft dough and gooey center creates such a wonderful texture mix that it's almost impossible to stop at one. I love adding extra garlic because it reminds me of those tasty knots from the pizza place I loved as a kid.

Make Ahead Instructions

You can prep these rolls up to a day before. Just put everything together as shown, place them on your paper-lined tray, wrap tightly with plastic, and keep in the fridge. When you're ready to cook, take them out while your oven warms up, brush on fresh garlic butter, and add an extra minute or two to the cooking time. They're perfect for holiday parties when you want to do less work at the last minute.

Flavor Variations

The basic version tastes great on its own, but you can switch things up in so many ways. Try adding some crunchy bacon pieces before rolling the dough, or mix finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme into your butter. For some heat, toss in red pepper flakes or wrap the cheese in a thin pepperoni slice before rolling. My family really loves when I add a bit of smoked paprika to the butter for a subtle smoky taste.

Serving Suggestions

These cheesy garlic rolls go well with lots of different foods. Serve them with a thick Italian soup like minestrone for a full meal. They make regular salads much more filling too. For parties, put them on a big plate with marinara sauce for dipping. We often have them during our Sunday family meals alongside big bowls of pasta, where everyone picks them over regular garlic bread every time.

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The stretchy middle and mouthwatering garlic herb flavor have made these crescent rolls a forever favorite in our home!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I swap out the cheese type in these rolls?

For sure! String mozzarella gives you that nice stretchy pull, but you can try cheddar sticks, pepper jack, or even small cheese cubes instead. Just make sure you wrap the dough around the cheese completely so it doesn't leak out while baking.

→ What's the best way to keep leftover rolls?

Put cooled rolls in a sealed container in your fridge for up to 3 days. When you want to eat them, warm them in the oven at 325°F for 5-7 minutes or pop them in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. Don't microwave them too long or they'll get hard and rubbery.

→ Is it okay to prep these rolls early?

You can get these rolls ready up to a day before and keep them covered in your fridge. When you're ready to bake them, you might need to add an extra minute or two since they'll be cold from the fridge.

→ What goes well with these cheese garlic rolls?

These handy rolls go great with pasta, soup, or a nice salad. They also work as snacks with some marinara sauce for dipping. For a full dinner, try them with your favorite lasagna, a bowl of minestrone, or a simple Caesar salad.

→ Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried ones?

You bet! If you're going with fresh herbs, just use three times more than the dried amount. So for this recipe, grab about 1.5 tablespoons fresh parsley, 1.5 tablespoons mixed Italian herbs, and 1.5 teaspoons fresh basil. Chop them up small before mixing with your butter.

→ Any fun twists I can try with this recipe?

Toss in some pepperoni slices, sprinkle extra Parmesan on top, or add a bit of red pepper for a kick. You can also spread some pesto or a thin layer of marinara sauce before adding the cheese to give them a whole new flavor.