Ham and Cheese Rollups with Pesto
Feb 07, 2016, Updated May 25, 2023
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Ham and Cheese Rollups are a quick, delicious, easy party food prepared with refrigerated crescents dough, ham, cheese, and basil pesto. You’re only five ingredients away from your next favorite bite!
Ham and Cheese Rollups with Basil Pesto
If you’re looking for an easy, quick and flavorful snack or lunch, this recipe of Ham and Cheese Rollups with Basil Pesto is just what you need. Perfect for parties, brunches or just a simple treat for yourself. Let’s dive in to learn how to make these tasty rollups.
Ham and Cheese Rollups, or Pinwheels, are a classic and versatile dish that takes the delightful pairing of ham and cheese and delivers it in a bite-sized, appetizing format. Think of them as compact, savory pastries that offer a burst of flavor with each bite.
At the heart of the rollups are two primary ingredients – ham and cheese. The ham provides a lean, smoky meatiness, while the cheese adds a smooth, creamy contrast. They are enveloped within a layer of dough, creating a deliciously crispy exterior when baked.
Can’t wait for you to try them!
How To Make Ham and Cheese Rollups
- Preparation: Start by preheating the oven to 375°F and grease an 8×8 baking dish.
- Dough Preparation: Unroll your refrigerated crescents dough and pinch together all seams to make one large sheet.
- Layering: Layer your cheese slices on the dough, followed by ham slices. Then, spread the dijon mustard over the ham.
- Roll and Cut: Roll up the dough tightly, starting from one side, then cut it into 9 equal slices.
- Final Touches: Place the slices in your greased dish and spread basil pesto over them.
- Baking: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 13 minutes or until golden brown.
- Air Fryer Option: Place the pinwheels in a 9-inch baking pan and air fry at 350˚F for 10 to 11 minutes, or until golden brown.
Tips For The Perfect Rollups
- Rolling Technique: When rolling the dough, ensure you roll it tightly to prevent the fillings from falling out while baking. Also, make sure to pinch the seams of the dough well to avoid any gaps.
- Knife Technique: Use a sharp knife to cut your rollups. This will help maintain the shape of the rollups and ensure they don’t get squashed during cutting.
- Checking Doneness: The rollups are done when they are golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Variations For Baked Pinwheels
- Different Meats: You could substitute ham with other deli meats like turkey or roast beef for a different flavor profile.
- Vegetarian Option: For a vegetarian twist, replace the ham with thinly sliced veggies like bell peppers, zucchini or even spinach.
- Additional Fillings: Consider adding other ingredients such as sun-dried tomatoes, olives, pickles, or jalapenos for an extra kick.
- Changing Up the Sauces: Experiment with different sauces or spreads instead of Dijon mustard and basil pesto. You could try honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or a garlic herb spread.
- Cheesy Twist: For an extra cheesy rollup, you could sprinkle shredded cheese on top before baking.
More Ham and Cheese Recipes
- Turkey Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Ham and Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
- Reuben Sandwich
- Grilled Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Chef Salad
ENJOY!
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Pesto Ham and Cheese Rollups Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tube (8 ounces) refrigerated reduced-fat crescents dough
- 8 cheese slices, like Kraft Singles
- 1 package (8 ounces) thin sliced ham
- ¼ cup dijon mustard
- ⅓ cup basil pesto
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375˚F.
- Spray an 8×8 baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- Roll out the refrigerated crescents dough and pinch together all the seams.
- Arrange the cheese slices in a single layer over the dough.
- Arrange the ham slices over the cheese.
- Spread dijon mustard over the ham slices.
- Starting with the side nearest you, carefully roll up the dough, tightly.
- Using a sharp knife, cut the dough into 9 slices.
- Transfer to previously prepared baking dish.
- Spread basil pesto over the rollups.
- Bake for 12 to 13 minutes, or until dough is golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let stand for about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Serve.
Notes
- Meats: Swap ham with other deli meats like turkey or roast beef.
- Vegetarian: Replace ham with thinly sliced veggies like bell peppers or zucchini.
- Add-ins: Consider sun-dried tomatoes, olives, pickles, or jalapenos for extra flavor.
- Sauces: Try different sauces or spreads such as honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or a garlic herb spread.
- Extra Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheese on top before baking.
- Make ahead of time by covering the prepared rollups with plastic wrap and refrigerating them. DO NOT bake.
When ready to bake, remove from fridge and bake uncovered.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Gosh these look good. I made something similar this year for watching the game, but I really love your pesto addition. I’m going to have to remember that! Great idea!
Full of flavor and great appetizer.
I’d love to dig into that pan! The PESTO!!! Yum.
I would have never have thought to put Dijon with pesto but these look so good! I’m excited to try them! Food is usually the most important part of the game for me, but this year I had my team in it! I grew up in Colorado. 🙂 It was a fun night, that was for sure!
HOLY YUM! I am totally saving this recipe for next year…or tomorrow…or heck, heading to the kitchen now. 😉 Pinning!
What a delicious idea.
Ah! Delicious, delicious! These look like the perfect snack and beyond!
I’ll have beer with that and skip the game.