Why You’ll Love These Shrimp Roll-Ups
These Creamy Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Roll-Ups check every box:
- Fast prep with simple mixing and rolling
- Big flavor from garlic, butter, and Parmesan
- Flexible: tortillas, crescent dough, or flatbread all work
- Easy to serve as finger food, appetizers, or plated portions
- Make-ahead friendly for parties and potlucks
What Are Creamy Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Roll-Ups?
At their core, these roll-ups are:
- A creamy shrimp filling (often made with cream cheese + cheese + garlic)
- Wrapped in a soft roll (tortilla or crescent dough is most common)
- Baked until golden and lightly crisp on the outside
- Finished with buttery garlic and extra Parmesan
You’ll see two popular styles online:
- Tortilla roll-ups: quicker, easier to slice, great for party trays
- Crescent roll-ups: flakier, more “bakery-style,” individually portioned
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Shrimp Filling
- Shrimp (raw or cooked)
- Best sizes: medium to large
- Tip: Chopping gives you shrimp in every bite
- Cream cheese (softened)
- This builds that signature creamy base
- Grated Parmesan
- Adds salty, nutty depth
- Shredded mozzarella (optional)
- Adds melt and stretch
- Garlic (fresh minced or paste)
- The star flavor—don’t be shy
- Italian seasoning
- Salt + black pepper
- Parsley (fresh or dried)
- Lemon zest (optional, but bright and amazing)
For Rolling
Choose one:
- Large flour tortillas (burrito-size)
- Crescent roll dough (refrigerated)
- Lavash or flatbread (works great—see notes below)
For the Finish (Highly Recommended)
- Butter (melted)
- Garlic powder (or a little fresh garlic)
- Extra Parmesan
- Parsley for garnish
Tools You’ll Need
Keep it simple:
- Mixing bowl
- Cutting board + knife
- Spoon or spatula
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper (or lightly greased foil)
- Pastry brush (optional but helpful)
Step-by-Step: How to Make Creamy Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Roll-Ups
Step 1: Prep the Shrimp
You’ve got two routes here.
If using raw shrimp
- Peel and devein (if needed)
- Pat dry
- Sauté quickly in a skillet:
- A small knob of butter or a drizzle of oil
- 1–2 minutes per side (until just opaque)
- Cool slightly, then chop
If using cooked shrimp
- Pat dry really well
- Chop into small pieces
- Season lightly (pepper, Italian seasoning, pinch of salt)
Why chopping matters:
- Helps the filling spread evenly
- Prevents rolling gaps
- Makes every bite taste like shrimp, garlic, and Parmesan
Step 2: Make the Creamy Garlic Parmesan Filling
In a mixing bowl, combine:
- Softened cream cheese
- Minced garlic
- Grated Parmesan
- Mozzarella (optional)
- Italian seasoning
- Black pepper
- Parsley
Then fold in:
- Chopped shrimp
If it feels too thick:
- Add 1–2 teaspoons of cream (or a splash of milk), little by little
If it feels too loose:
- Add a bit more Parmesan or mozzarella
- Chill for 10 minutes before rolling
Step 3A: Tortilla Roll-Up Method (Baked Wrap Style)
- Lay out a tortilla on a flat surface
- Spread filling evenly, leaving a small border
- Roll tightly into a log
- Place seam-side down on your baking sheet
- Repeat for remaining tortillas
Step 3B: Crescent Roll-Up Method (Flaky Appetizer Style)
- Unroll crescent dough and separate triangles
- Spoon filling near the wide end
- Roll toward the point
- Pinch edges lightly to help seal
- Place on parchment-lined sheet
Step 4: Bake Until Golden
Bake times vary slightly depending on wrap choice.
Tortillas
- 375°F / 190°C
- 12–16 minutes
- Turn once if you want even browning
Crescent Dough
- 375°F / 190°C
- 10–13 minutes (or until puffed and golden)
Signs they’re done:
- Golden edges
- Filling looks set (not wet)
- Seam stays closed when nudged
Step 5: Finish with Garlic Butter + Parmesan
While the roll-ups are hot:
- Melt butter
- Stir in:
- Garlic powder (or a tiny bit of fresh garlic)
- Pinch of salt
- Brush over roll-ups
- Sprinkle with extra Parmesan
- Add parsley for a clean, bright look

The Best Dipping Sauces for Shrimp Roll-Ups
You can serve them plain (they’re flavorful!), but dips make them unforgettable.
Easy dip ideas
- Warm Parmesan cream dip (quick Alfredo-style)
- Marinara (classic contrast)
- Lemon-garlic butter (simple and bold)
- Spicy mayo (if you like a little kick)
Quick Parmesan cream dip (5-minute)
In a small saucepan:
- Melt butter
- Add minced garlic (30 seconds)
- Stir in a splash of cream
- Add grated Parmesan
- Whisk until smooth
Serving Ideas (Party + Dinner Options)
As an appetizer platter
- Slice tortilla roll-ups into portions
- Add small bowls of dip
- Pair with:
- Olives
- Pickles
- Cherry tomatoes
- Roasted peppers
- Crackers (for extra dipping)
As a meal
Serve 2–3 roll-ups with:
- A crisp green salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Simple rice or couscous
- Lemon wedges for squeezing
Variations to Keep It Exciting
Make these Creamy Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Roll-Ups your signature by switching it up.
Spicy version
- Add:
- Red pepper flakes
- Cajun seasoning
- A few drops of hot sauce in the filling
“Herby” version
- Add:
- Fresh basil
- Chives
- Extra parsley
- Finish with:
- Lemon zest + cracked pepper
Add-ins (small amounts work best)
- Finely chopped spinach (squeezed dry)
- Sautéed mushrooms (cooled + chopped)
- Sun-dried tomatoes (diced small)
Cheese tweaks
- Use provolone for deeper flavor
- Use Monterey Jack for melt
- Keep Parmesan as the “anchor” flavor
Make-Ahead Instructions (Great for Parties)
Option 1: Make filling ahead
- Mix filling up to 24 hours in advance
- Store covered in the fridge
- When ready:
- Stir once
- Roll
- Bake
Option 2: Assemble roll-ups ahead
- Roll tortillas or crescent roll-ups
- Place on a tray
- Cover tightly
- Chill until baking time
Tip for tortillas:
- If your tortillas feel stiff, warm them briefly so they roll without cracking.

Troubleshooting: Fix Common Problems Fast
“My filling leaked out.”
Likely causes:
- Overfilled roll-ups
- Loose rolling
- Warm filling that spread too easily
Fixes:
- Use less filling
- Roll tighter
- Chill filling 10 minutes before rolling
- Place seam-side down
“My tortillas cracked.”
Likely causes:
- Tortillas were cold or dry
- Rolled too tightly without warming
Fixes:
- Warm tortillas for a few seconds (microwave or skillet)
- Don’t overbake tortilla versions
- Brush lightly with butter before baking
“The center feels watery.”
Likely causes:
- Shrimp wasn’t dried well
- Too much cream/liquid added
- Underbaking
Fixes:
- Pat shrimp dry
- Chill filling
- Bake a few minutes longer
“Not enough garlic flavor.”
Fixes:
- Use fresh minced garlic in the filling
- Add garlic powder to the butter finish
- Sprinkle a tiny pinch of garlic powder into the cheese mix
“They didn’t brown.”
Fixes:
- Bake on a higher rack
- Brush with butter before baking
- Finish with 1–2 minutes under the broiler (watch closely)
FAQs (People Also Ask–Style)
Can I use frozen shrimp for Creamy Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Roll-Ups?
Yes—frozen shrimp works perfectly. Thaw it properly, pat it dry, and you’re good to go. For a simple, reliable thawing guide, use this resource on seafood safety tips for buying and thawing shrimp.
Can I make shrimp roll-ups ahead of time and bake later?
Absolutely. You can:
- Make the filling a day ahead, or
- Assemble the roll-ups, cover, chill, and bake when needed
How do I keep tortilla roll-ups from getting soggy?
Use these quick tricks:
- Pat the shrimp dry before mixing
- Keep filling thick (don’t add much liquid)
- Roll tightly
- Bake on parchment
- Let them rest for a few minutes before slicing
What’s the best cheese blend for garlic Parmesan shrimp filling?
A reliable combo is:
- Parmesan for flavor
- Mozzarella for melt
- Cream cheese for creaminess
Conclusion
Creamy Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Roll-Ups are the kind of recipe that feels special without being complicated. With their rich, garlicky filling, tender shrimp, and golden baked exterior, they strike the perfect balance between comfort and indulgence. Whether you choose tortillas for easy slicing or crescent dough for a flaky finish, these roll-ups adapt beautifully to any occasion.
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Irresistible Creamy Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Roll-Ups
- Total Time: PT30M
- Yield: 8 roll-ups 1x
Description
These Creamy Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Roll-Ups are rich, savory, and irresistibly cheesy. Juicy shrimp are tossed in a creamy garlic-Parmesan filling, rolled up in soft dough, and baked until golden and bubbly. Perfect as an appetizer, party snack, or indulgent dinner paired with a fresh salad.
Ingredients
Filling
- 450 g (1 lb) shrimp (raw or cooked), chopped
- 225 g (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan (plus extra for topping)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella (optional)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1–2 tbsp chopped parsley
- Optional: lemon zest
Wrap
- 4 large flour tortillas or 1–2 tubes crescent dough
Finish
- 3 tbsp butter, melted
- ½ tsp garlic powder (or small amount of fresh garlic)
- Parmesan + parsley for topping
Instructions
- Prep shrimp
- Cook if raw, cool, then chop (or chop cooked shrimp).
- Make filling
- Mix cream cheese, garlic, Parmesan, seasonings, parsley.
- Fold in chopped shrimp.
- Roll
- Tortillas: spread, roll tight, seam-side down.
- Crescent: fill, roll, pinch edges.
- Bake
- 375°F / 190°C until golden and set.
- Finish
- Brush with garlic butter, sprinkle Parmesan, garnish parsley.
- Serve
- Slice and dip (optional but recommended).
Notes
- Chop shrimp finely for even distribution.
- Use pizza dough for larger, heartier roll-ups.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.
- Prep Time: PT15M
- Cook Time: PT15M
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll-up
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
