Oh, the Comfort of Warm Garlic Rolls!
There’s something magical about a warm, soft bread roll, isn’t there? Especially when it’s infused with garlicky goodness and has a gooey, cheesy center. My Grandma Elsie used to make these for Sunday dinners, and the smell alone would have us kids practically glued to the oven door. These Easy Cheese Stuffed Garlic Rolls are a direct nod to those happy memories, and the best part? They are ridiculously simple to whip up, even on a busy weeknight. Seriously, you’re going to want to bookmark this one!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: From frozen dough to golden perfection in under 30 minutes!
- Easy: Minimal steps, maximum flavor. Perfect for beginner bakers.
- Giftable: Package them up warm for an instant crowd-pleasing gift.
- Crowd-pleasing: Who can resist warm, cheesy garlic bread? Everyone loves these!
Gather Your Cozy Kitchen Crew (Ingredients!)
Here’s what you’ll need to create these little bites of heaven. Don’t worry, it’s all super straightforward!
- 12 Frozen Dinner Rolls: The magical base for our cheesy delights. Most brands work wonderfully.
- 1 teaspoon Granulated Garlic: This is your secret weapon for that intense garlic flavor without the fuss of mincing fresh cloves.
- ½ cup Butter: Unsalted is usually best for baking, but salted works too if that’s what you have on hand.
- ⅓ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds a lovely salty, nutty depth that pairs perfectly with garlic.
- Mozzarella Cheese block, cut into 1/2-inch pieces: The star of the show for that irresistible gooey pull! Using a block and cutting it yourself often gives a better melt than pre-shredded.
Let’s Make Some Magic Happen (How to Make It)
Grab your apron, and let’s get these rolls in the oven. It’s easier than you think!
- Roll Call: First things first, prepare your frozen dinner rolls according to the package directions. Usually, this means placing them on a baking sheet, letting them thaw and rise for a bit, and then popping them in the oven.
- Get Your Garlic Butter On: While those rolls are doing their thing, let’s make our flavor-packed butter. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Once it’s all liquid and lovely, stir in your granulated garlic and grated Parmesan cheese. Give it a good stir until everything is well combined. It should smell amazing already!
- The Crucial Moment: Keep an eye on your rolls. When they are just about done baking (golden brown and puffy, but not quite the final crisp you want yet), it’s time for the next step.
- A Little Slit, A Lot of Cheese: Carefully remove the rolls from the oven. Using a small, sharp knife, cut a little slit into the side of each warm roll. Be gentle here – we want to make a pocket for the cheese, not cut the whole thing in half!
- Cheese Please! Now, take those 1/2-inch pieces of mozzarella cheese and gently tuck one piece into the slit you made in each roll. Don’t overstuff them, just a nice cheesy surprise waiting inside.
- Butter Me Up: Grab that glorious garlic-Parmesan butter mixture you made. Using a pastry brush (or even just a spoon!), generously brush the tops of each stuffed roll. Get all that deliciousness onto the dough!
- Back for the Grand Finale: Pop the rolls back into the oven for just another 3-5 minutes. You’re looking for that mozzarella to be beautifully melted and bubbly, and for the rolls to get that perfect golden-brown hue.
Spice Up Your Rolls (Substitutions & Additions)
Feeling adventurous? These rolls are wonderfully versatile!
- Cheese Swap: Don’t have mozzarella? Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even a blend of Italian cheeses would be delicious.
- Herbaceous Heaven: Mix in some dried Italian herbs like oregano or basil into your butter mixture for an extra layer of flavor. Fresh parsley sprinkled on top after baking is also a lovely touch.
- A Hint of Heat: For those who like a little kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes in the butter mixture can be delightful.
- Garlic Upgrade: If you’re feeling ambitious and have time, using 2-3 cloves of minced fresh garlic sautéed gently in the butter before adding the rest of the ingredients will give an even richer garlic flavor.
My Best Baking Buddies (Tips for Success)
A few little tricks to ensure your garlic rolls are always a hit:
- Don’t Overbake: Keep a close eye on them during the final 3-5 minutes. They go from perfect to overdone quickly!
- Warm Rolls are Key: Make sure the rolls are warm when you make the slit and stuff them. This helps the cheese melt beautifully.
- Prep Ahead: You can cut the mozzarella pieces and make the garlic-Parmesan butter mixture ahead of time and store them separately in the fridge. Then, just assemble when your rolls are nearly done baking.
- Even Buttering: Try to get an even coating of the butter mixture on all the rolls for consistent flavor.
Keeping the Cozy Going (How to Store It)
These are best enjoyed fresh and warm, but if you happen to have any leftovers (which is rare in my house!), you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. To reheat, wrap them loosely in foil and warm them in a 300°F (150°C) oven for about 5-10 minutes, or until heated through. You can also pop them in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds, but they won’t be as crispy.
Your Burning Questions, Answered! (FAQs)
Q: Can I make these from scratch using dough?
A: Absolutely! If you have a favorite homemade dinner roll recipe, you can use that dough instead of frozen rolls. Just adjust the baking time to suit your dough.
Q: What if I don’t have a pastry brush?
A: No problem! You can easily use a spoon to drizzle and spread the butter mixture over the tops of the rolls.
Q: Can these be made ahead of time?
A: You can prepare the garlic butter mixture ahead of time. However, stuffing and buttering the rolls is best done just before baking for the freshest taste and best texture.
Easy Cheese Stuffed Garlic Rolls
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Small saucepan
- Small sharp knife
- Pastry brush or spoon
- Oven
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 12 Frozen Dinner Rolls Prepare according to package directions.
- 1 teaspoon Granulated Garlic
- 0.5 cup Butter Unsalted preferred, but salted works.
- 0.33 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Mozzarella Cheese block Cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
Instructions
- Prepare your frozen dinner rolls according to the package directions, typically thawing and rising on a baking sheet before baking.
- While rolls are preparing, melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in granulated garlic and grated Parmesan cheese until well combined.12 Frozen Dinner Rolls
- When rolls are golden brown and puffy but not fully baked, carefully remove them from the oven.
- Using a small, sharp knife, cut a slit into the side of each warm roll to create a pocket.
- Gently tuck one piece of mozzarella cheese into the slit of each roll.12 Frozen Dinner Rolls
- Generously brush the tops of each stuffed roll with the garlic-Parmesan butter mixture.12 Frozen Dinner Rolls
- Return rolls to the oven for another 3-5 minutes, or until mozzarella is melted and bubbly, and rolls are golden brown.