Spam Broccoli Cheese Crescent Wreath
A savory wreath-shaped appetizer or main course built from refrigerated crescent rolls arranged in a circle and filled with broccoli, Spam, cheddar cheese, and mustard, then baked until golden. The contrast of tender broccoli and crispy-edged ham with melted cheese in flaky pastry makes this a crowd-pleasing dish for casual dinners, potlucks, or game day gatherings. This version emphasizes customization, allowing you to load up on vegetables and dial back the processed meat to suit your taste.
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls, unrolled
- 2 cup fresh broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 8 oz can Spam (or ham), cut into small cubes and browneddiced cooked ham1:1savoryprocessed_meat
Higher quality pork option with less sodium
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- ¼ cup onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoon water
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°F.
- 2
Cut broccoli into bite-sized pieces.
- 3
Place broccoli and chopped onion in a large microwave-safe bowl.
- 4
Add 2 tablespoons water.
- 5
Microwave until broccoli is just tender, approximately 1 minute 30 seconds.
- 6
Cut Spam into small cubes.
- 7
Saute Spam cubes in a small frying pan until browned.
- 8
Drain liquid from broccoli.
- 9
Stir mustard, Spam, and cheese into broccoli.
- 10
Cover a baking sheet with foil.
- 11
Unroll crescent rolls.
- 12
Arrange rolls in a circle with wide ends overlapping in the center and pointed ends extending outward.
- 13
Place Spam mixture in a circle around the wide ends.
- 14
Fold pointed ends over the filling and tuck underneath.
- 15
Bake until crescent rolls are golden brown, approximately 25 minutes.
- 16
Check underneath rolls to ensure the bottom has browned and there is no raw or mushy dough.
Tips
Customize the filling ratio: the original recipe suggests using tons of broccoli with minimal Spam and cheese for a lighter, vegetable-forward version.
Check the underside of the crescent rolls near the end of baking to ensure they crisp up completely rather than remaining mushy or pale.
Brown the Spam cubes first to render some fat and develop flavor before mixing with other filling ingredients.
Good to Know
Cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
Assemble the wreath up to the point of folding pointed ends, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 8 hours before baking. Add 2-3 minutes to bake time if starting from cold.
Serve warm from the oven as an appetizer, lunch main course, or casual dinner. Pairs well with a simple green salad or tomato soup.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip checking the underside of the crescent rolls to avoid serving mushy, underbaked dough.
Do not over-microwave the broccoli to avoid mushiness; aim for just-tender texture.
Do not skip browning the Spam to avoid a bland, greasy filling.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
Higher quality pork option with less sodium
FAQ
Can I make this with fresh ham instead of Spam?
Yes, use diced cooked ham at a 1:1 ratio. Fresh ham will be less salty and slightly less fatty than Spam, so you may want to add a pinch of salt to the filling. Brown it briefly in the pan as directed to develop color and flavor.
What if the crescent rolls brown too quickly on top?
Tent the top loosely with foil after 15 minutes to prevent over-browning while the bottom finishes crisping. Remove foil in the last 3-5 minutes to re-crisp the top if needed.
How long can I keep leftover wreath and can I freeze it?
Refrigerate covered for up to 3 days. Freezing is not recommended after baking due to the crescent roll texture degrading upon thaw. You can freeze the unbaked assembled wreath for up to 1 month; add 5-7 minutes to bake time.