Description
Cheesy Baked Vegetable Rolls are a delightful Mediterranean-inspired appetizer featuring a flavorful mix of sautéed vegetables combined with creamy cheeses, all wrapped in crisp phyllo dough or puff pastry and baked to golden perfection. These rolls make a perfect vegetarian snack or party appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetable Filling
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup grated carrot
- 1 cup chopped spinach (fresh or thawed from frozen)
- 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese Mixture
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup ricotta or cream cheese
Pastry
- 1 package (8–10 sheets) phyllo dough or puff pastry, thawed if frozen
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil (for brushing)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the rolls evenly.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil and sauté the finely chopped onion and minced garlic for 2–3 minutes until they soften and become fragrant.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in the grated carrot, chopped spinach, and diced bell pepper. Cook for 4–5 minutes until the vegetables are tender and most of the moisture has evaporated.
- Season and Combine Cheeses: Season the vegetable mixture with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Allow it to cool slightly, then stir in the shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, and ricotta or cream cheese until well combined.
- Prepare Phyllo or Puff Pastry: Lay out one sheet of phyllo dough or puff pastry on a clean surface and brush it lightly with melted butter or olive oil to keep it moist and crisp when baked.
- Assemble Rolls: Spoon a few spoonfuls of the vegetable and cheese mixture along one edge of the pastry sheet. Roll tightly, folding in the sides as you roll to seal the filling inside securely.
- Arrange for Baking: Place each roll seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat this process with the remaining sheets and filling. Brush the tops of the rolls with additional melted butter or olive oil for a golden finish.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes or until the rolls are crisp and golden brown on top.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the rolls warm, ideally with a marinara sauce or a yogurt-based dipping sauce for extra flavor.
Notes
- For an extra burst of flavor, incorporate chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or basil into the vegetable filling.
- You can prepare these rolls ahead of time by assembling them and refrigerating; bake just before serving to maintain crispness.
- Serve these rolls with marinara, yogurt-based dips, or your choice of sauce to complement their cheesy vegetable filling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
