Easy Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza Pinwheels

If you ask me, pizza and cheeseburgers are a match made in heaven.

These bacon cheeseburger pizza pinwheels take two comfort food favorites and roll them into one fun appetizer that’s perfect for game day or casual get-togethers. Ground beef and crispy bacon bits mix with melted cheese and pizza sauce in a spiral of goodness.

They’re wrapped in pizza dough and baked until golden brown, giving you all those familiar burger and pizza flavors in each bite-sized piece. My kids can’t resist helping roll these up in the kitchen.

It’s a crowd-pleasing snack that’s easy to share and always disappears fast at parties.

What Kind of Ground Beef Should I Use?

For these pizza pinwheels, lean ground beef is your best bet – specifically 90/10 or 93/7 lean-to-fat ratio. These leaner options help prevent your pinwheels from becoming greasy while baking, which could make the crescent dough soggy. Regular 80/20 ground beef will work in a pinch, but make sure to drain it really well after cooking and pat it with paper towels to remove excess fat. If you’re at the store, look for packages labeled “ground sirloin” or “ground round” – these cuts naturally have less fat and work great in this recipe. Just remember to avoid overcooking the beef since it will get heated again when the pinwheels bake.

Options for Substitutions

This fun recipe can be tweaked in several ways to match what you have in your kitchen:

• Crescent rolls: If you can’t find crescent rolls, pizza dough or puff pastry sheets work great too. Just roll them thin and follow the same rolling technique. You could even use flatbread, though you’ll need to warm it slightly to make it flexible enough to roll.
• Cheese blend: The cheddar and mozzarella combo is tasty, but feel free to use any melting cheese you like – Monterey Jack, Colby, or even pepper jack for a kick. Just keep the total amount of cheese the same.
• Ground beef: Ground turkey or chicken makes a lighter version, or try plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian option. Just make sure to season well and drain any excess fat.
• Bacon: Turkey bacon works well here, or you could use ham or Canadian bacon. For a meat-free version, try bacon bits or even crispy fried onions for that crunchy element.
• Pizza sauce: Out of pizza sauce? Regular marinara works just fine. You could even use BBQ sauce or ranch dressing for a different flavor profile.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Baking

The biggest challenge when making pizza pinwheels is rolling them too loosely, which can cause them to unravel during baking – make sure to keep the roll tight and even as you work with the crescent dough. A common mistake is overfilling the pinwheels with toppings, which can lead to cheese and meat spilling out during baking, so stick to a thin, even layer of ingredients and leave a small border around the edges. To prevent soggy bottoms, drain your ground beef thoroughly and pat it dry with paper towels before adding it to your pinwheels, and avoid using too much pizza sauce which can make the dough wet and doughy. For the best results, chill your rolled pinwheels for 10-15 minutes before slicing – this helps them hold their shape better and makes for cleaner cuts with a sharp knife.

What to Serve With Cheeseburger Pizza Pinwheels?

These fun little pinwheels combine the best of burgers and pizza, making them perfect for casual gatherings or game day snacking. Since they’re already pretty rich, I like to balance them out with some fresh veggie options – a crisp garden salad or some crunchy carrot and celery sticks with ranch dip work great. For a more substantial spread, try serving them alongside some crispy french fries or sweet potato wedges, just like you’d get with a regular burger. If you’re feeding a crowd, add a bowl of pickle spears on the side to really bring out those classic burger flavors.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These tasty pinwheels stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to place a paper towel in the container to absorb any excess moisture and keep them from getting soggy. They’re perfect for making ahead for lunch boxes or quick snacks!

Freeze: Want to prep these ahead? You can freeze the baked pinwheels for up to 2 months! Just place them in a freezer bag with wax paper between layers to prevent sticking. They make such an easy grab-and-go option when you’re in a hurry.

Warm Up: To enjoy these pinwheels warm, pop them in the microwave for 20-30 seconds if they’re coming from the fridge, or about 1 minute if frozen. You can also warm them in the oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes to get that nice, crispy outside again.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	18-20 minutes
Total Time	28-35 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1500-1700
• Protein: 80-90 g
• Fat: 90-100 g
• Carbohydrates: 90-100 g

Ingredients

• 1 can crescent rolls (8 oz)
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 pound cooked and drained lean ground beef
• 8 slices cooked and crumbled bacon
• 3 tablespoons pizza sauce

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Dough

Preheat your oven to 375°F.

While the oven is heating, take the crescent rolls out of their can.

Carefully unroll them and arrange the dough pieces into a long rectangle on a flat surface.

Make sure to pinch the seams together to create one continuous sheet of dough.

If needed, refer to other helpful resources for more detailed instructions.

Step 2: Add Cheese and Toppings

Evenly sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella cheeses over the crescent roll dough.

Next, scatter the cooked ground beef and bacon pieces on top of the cheese.

Finish the filling by drizzling pizza sauce over the beef and bacon.

Step 3: Roll and Slice

Starting from one long side of the rectangle, roll the dough up like you would a cinnamon roll.

Once rolled, use a sharp knife to cut the log into 8 even rolls.

Step 4: Arrange and Bake

Lightly grease a pie pan or a 9-inch square baking dish to prevent sticking.

Arrange the rolls cut side up in the prepared pan.

Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the rolls are puffed up and golden brown.

Step 5: Serve

Once baked, remove the rolls from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.

They are best enjoyed warm.

These savory rolls make a delicious appetizer or snack!