No matter what's on the table, the buffet or the menu, a warm buttery crescent roll is pretty hard to resist. And thanks to those ubiquitous tubes of refrigerated crescent roll dough, they are so easy to make. I don’t care how sophisticated you are, there’s no way to pass up one of those flaky tender little breads when the basket passes under your nose.
And with a quick brush of pesto and a sprinkle of Pecorino Romano or Parmesan they become something extra special. You can use store-bought pesto (but remember to check for allergies, since most pestos contain nuts of some sort), or make your own, which is downright simple. And if you make your own nut-free pesto, then you don’t have to worry about any potential allergy issues.
The only warning — make more than you think you will need. It’s hard to stop at one.
Ingredients
- 1 (8-ounce) can refrigerated crescent dough
- ¼ cup pesto, store-bought or homemade
- ¼ cup finely grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Pop open a can of crescent rolls and separate the dough into triangles along the perforated lines. Brush each triangle lightly with pesto, and sprinkle evenly with the Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese. Roll them up from the short flat end of the triangle up to the tip. Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 9 to 12 minutes, until golden brown.
- Serve warm.
More holiday tips and recipes
- First course: Roasted butternut squash soup or green salad with butternut squash, pear and goat cheese
- Side dish ideas: Roasted butternut squash with sage and roasted Brussels sprouts
- 5 cocktail hacks for healthier, festive holiday drinks
- What chefs and food pros bring to potlucks
- More recipes
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