There's nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked dinner rolls filling your kitchen, especially when they're stuffed with gooey cheese and savory slices of ham. These soft, buttery ham and cheese rolls are fluffy, flavorful, and a hit with both kids and adults.
Whether you're making them for a family dinner, a holiday brunch, or meal prep, these savory stuffed dinner rolls are always a good idea.
Kids love helping to shape the rolls into little flowers, and honestly, they're just as fun to eat as they are to make. Plus, you can prep them ahead and freeze for busy weeknights or festive gatherings. Trust me, once you try these homemade dinner rolls with ham and cheese, they'll become a staple in your kitchen!
Another visually appealing recipes to try are my chicken rolls.
Recipe Ingredients
You'll need the following ingredients to make these amazing Dinner Rolls with Ham and Cheese.
Ingredient Notes
- Eggs - Help bind the dough and add richness.
- Whole milk - Warm (not hot) milk helps activate the yeast and gives the rolls a soft, fluffy texture.
- Salt - Enhances the flavor of the dough and the garlic topping.
- Sugar - Feeds the yeast and adds a slight touch of sweetness.
- Active dry yeast - Makes the dough rise; make sure it's not expired!
- Butter - Softened butter mixes easily into the dough and adds a buttery flavor.
- All-purpose flour - The base of the dough. Spoon and level it for accurate measuring if you're not using a scale.
- Ham - Thin slices work best so the rolls don't get too bulky.
- Cheese - Use your favorite melty cheese like mozzarella, Swiss, or cheddar.
- Garlic - Freshly shredded garlic adds bold flavor to the topping.
- Italian seasoning - Adds an herby touch to the garlic oil.
- Olive oil - Used to make the flavorful garlic-herb topping.
- Melted butter - Brushed on after baking for a golden, glossy finish.
How to make Dinner rolls with ham and cheese
1. Make the dough
In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer), whisk together the eggs, warm milk, sugar, salt, flour, and yeast. Mix until a rough dough forms. Add the softened butter and continue mixing until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
Lightly grease a clean bowl, place the dough inside, and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
2. Shape the rolls
Roll out the dough on a floured surface. Use a round cookie cutter to cut circles. Place a little ham and cheese in the center of each circle, fold the dough in half, and then fold again to create a flower shape.
Arrange each folded piece in a greased round baking dish, forming a beautiful flower-like pattern. Cover and let rise again for 30 minutes.
3. Season the rolls
In a small bowl, mix olive oil with shredded garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt. Brush the tops of the rolls generously with this garlic herb oil.
4. Bake
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for about 25 minutes, or until they're golden brown and smell irresistible. Brush with melted butter while they're still hot for that glossy, buttery finish.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
- Make ahead: You can prepare the rolls the night before. Shape and arrange them in the baking dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. The next morning, let them come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking.
- Freezer-friendly: Freeze unbaked rolls in the tray, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and a freezer-safe bag. They'll keep for up to 10 weeks! Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bring to room temp before baking.
- Storing leftovers: Keep leftover rolls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven for a few minutes to refresh that fresh-baked taste.
Tips for Perfect Dinner Rolls
- Don't overheat the milk: Warm it gently, too hot, and it could kill the yeast.
- Room-temp butter is key: It blends into the dough much easier.
- Check your yeast: Proof ½ teaspoon of yeast in warm water with a pinch of sugar. If it foams, it's good!
- Avoid over-proofing: Let the dough rise just until doubled each time for light, fluffy rolls.
Yes! You can prepare the dough the night before and let it rise in the fridge. Just bring it to room temperature before baking.
Dissolve it in warm water with a pinch of sugar. If it foams after 5-10 minutes, it's good to go!
Absolutely! Shape the rolls, place them in a tray and freeze. Before baking take them out of freezer, then thaw and bake when ready.
More favorite recipes to try:
Recipe
Dinner rolls with ham and cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
For the dough
- 3 eggs
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk warm full fat
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon active dry yeast
- ⅓ cup butter softened
For assemble the rolls
- 300 grams ham thin slices
- 300 grams cheese thin slices
To season the rolls
- 4 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
To brush the rolls after backing
- 2 tablespoons butter melted to brush
Instructions
Make the dough
- In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of your stand mixer), whisk together the eggs, warm milk, sugar, salt, flour, and yeast. Mix until a rough dough forms. Add the softened butter and continue mixing until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Lightly grease a clean bowl, place the dough inside, and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
Shape the rolls
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface. Use a round cookie cutter to cut circles. Place a little ham and cheese in the center of each circle, fold the dough in half, and then fold again to create a flower shape.
- Arrange each folded piece in a greased round baking dish, forming a beautiful flower-like pattern. Cover and let rise again for 30 minutes.
Season the rolls
- In a small bowl, mix olive oil with shredded garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt. Brush the tops of the rolls generously with this garlic herb oil.
Bake
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the rolls for about 25 minutes, or until they're golden brown and smell irresistible. Brush with melted butter while they're still hot for that glossy, buttery finish.
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