Savory Spinach and Ham Rolls (Printable)
Fluffy homemade rolls stuffed with seasoned ham, wilted spinach, and melted cheese for a satisfying morning meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dough
01 - 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
03 - 1 tbsp granulated sugar
04 - 1 tsp salt
05 - 1 cup warm milk (about 110°F)
06 - ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
07 - 1 large egg
→ Filling
08 - 1 tbsp olive oil
09 - 4 cups fresh spinach, chopped
10 - 1 cup diced ham
11 - 1 cup shredded Swiss or cheddar cheese
12 - ¼ cup finely chopped green onions
13 - ¼ tsp ground black pepper
14 - ¼ tsp garlic powder
→ To Finish
15 - 2 tbsp melted butter, for brushing
16 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
# Directions:
01 - In a large bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 5 minutes until foamy.
02 - Add melted butter, egg, and salt to the yeast mixture. Gradually incorporate flour until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms.
03 - Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
04 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté spinach until wilted, about 2 minutes. Remove excess moisture by pressing spinach in a sieve or with paper towels.
05 - In a bowl, mix sautéed spinach, diced ham, shredded cheese, green onions, black pepper, and garlic powder until well combined.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
07 - Punch down risen dough and roll out on a floured surface to a 16x12-inch rectangle.
08 - Spread the ham and spinach filling evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border.
09 - Starting from the long side, tightly roll up the dough into a log. Cut into 12 equal slices.
10 - Arrange rolls cut-side up in the prepared baking dish. Cover and let rise for 15–20 minutes.
11 - Brush rolls with melted butter. Sprinkle with Parmesan if desired.
12 - Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
13 - Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- They strike that perfect balance between indulgent breakfast pastry and something that feels vaguely respectable because there's vegetables involved
- The smell of baking dough and melting cheese will pull everyone out of bed faster than any alarm clock
- You can assemble everything the night before and just pop them in the oven when you wake up
02 -
- Really squeeze the moisture out of the cooked spinach, otherwise you'll end up with soggy centers that nobody wants
- If your dough feels impossibly sticky while kneading, add just a tablespoon of flour at a time until it becomes workable
03 -
- Use unflavored dental floss to cut the dough log perfectly without squishing the rolls
- Rotate the baking dish halfway through baking if your oven has hot spots