Savory Spinach and Ham Rolls (Printable)
Soft homemade rolls stuffed with ham, 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 (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)
# How To Make It:
01 - Combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes until mixture becomes foamy.
02 - Stir melted butter, egg, and salt into 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 area for 1 hour until doubled.
04 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté spinach until wilted, about 2 minutes. Press out excess moisture using a sieve or paper towels.
05 - Mix sautéed spinach, diced ham, shredded cheese, green onions, black pepper, and garlic powder in a bowl until well combined.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
07 - Punch down risen dough and roll out on a floured surface to a 16x12-inch rectangle.
08 - Distribute the ham and spinach filling evenly over the dough, leaving a ½-inch border around edges.
09 - Starting from the long side, roll dough tightly into a log. Cut into 12 equal slices.
10 - Place rolls cut-side up in prepared baking dish. Cover and let rise for 15-20 minutes.
11 - Brush rolls with melted butter and sprinkle with Parmesan if using. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
12 - Allow rolls to cool in the dish for 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The dough comes together easier than you would expect even if you are new to yeast baking
- These rolls freeze beautifully so you can bake ahead and have breakfast ready for busy weekdays
02 -
- Removing excess moisture from the spinach is non negotiable unless you want soggy rolls
- Letting the dough rise in a genuinely warm spot makes a huge difference in the final texture
03 -
- Use unflavored dental floss to cut the dough log it slices through cleanly without squishing the rolls
- If your kitchen runs cool the dough might take longer to rise which is perfectly normal