Mini Beef Wellingtons with Smoked Gouda Dipping Sauce

Name: Mini Beef Wellingtons with Smoked Gouda Dipping Sauce
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 24
Ingredients: 3/4 lb beef tenderloin, cut into 24 (1-inch) pieces; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 5 oz (1 1/4 cups) frozen spinach, thawed, squeezed to drain; 2 tablespoons sour cream; 1 tablespoon dry onion soup mix (from 1-oz package); 2 tablespoons saltine cracker crumbs (about three 2x2-inch squares); 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Dough Sheet; 1 egg, slightly beaten; 4 oz smoked gouda cheese, shredded (1 cup); 1 teaspoon dry onion soup mix (from 1-oz package); 3/4 cup sour cream; 2 1/2 teaspoons olive oil; Dash pepper; 6 (4-inch) thyme sprigs

Prep time:30 min
Total time:60 min
Ingredients:16
Servings:24
Calories per serving:140

By Pillsbury Kitchens(Opens in a new tab)Updated 01/07/2025

Mini Beef Wellingtons with Smoked Gouda Dipping Sauce

Prep time:30 min
Total time:60 min
Ingredients:16
Servings:24
Calories per serving:140

Bake OffBake-Off® Contest 52, 2024. Julie McIntire. Independence, Missouri. Bake-Of

Julie McIntire

Independence, Missouri

Bake Off

Bake-Off® Contest 52, 2024

Bake-Of

Elevate your holiday appetizer spread with mini beef Wellingtons with smoked gouda dipping sauce. When it comes to festive gatherings, you want your appetizers to shine. This exquisite bite-sized take on a classic dish is perfect for your holiday celebrations. These delectable treats will leave your guests wanting more.

Few dishes are as impressive and beloved as beef Wellington. Supposedly named for Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington. The dish is firmly rooted in British cuisine, where it gained popularity in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This sumptuous entrée, known for its intricate preparation and divine flavor, is often a centerpiece for holidays and special occasions.

A classic beef Wellington starts with beef tenderloin, which is the piece of beef used for filet mignon. The beef is coated with pâté and duxelles (a finely chopped mixture of mushrooms and shallots), which is then wrapped in puff pastry and baked to perfection. One of the reasons it remains a cherished dish during the holidays is its elegance and the sense of accomplishment that comes with preparing it. The process of crafting a beef Wellington—from searing the beef to carefully layering the components and finally wrapping it all in a delicate crust—is a labor of love.

This simplified appetizer version of beef Wellington skips the pâté, duxelles, and puff pastry in favor of creamy spinach, Pillsbury™ Crescent Dough, and an easy, cheesy dipping sauce. The miniature version of the classic dish is easier, less expensive, and dare we say, more fun than the original.

Whether you're hosting a holiday gathering or just want to impress your family with a very special snack, these mini beef Wellingtons with smoked gouda dipping sauce are a perfect choice.

How to Make Mini Beef Wellingtons with Smoked Gouda Dipping Sauce

Mini beef Wellingtons with smoked gouda dipping sauce are the perfect holiday appetizers. Ideal for any festive gathering, they offer a refined touch that will impress your guests. Plus, the combination of tender beef, crescents, and a creamy smoked gouda sauce is simply irresistible. Learn the basic steps here, then follow the full recipe below to make this unforgettable holiday app.

Sear the Beef

While your oven heats, quickly sear 1-inch pieces of beef tenderloin in some oil in a skillet on two sides. Avoid using bigger pieces of beef, since overfilling will cause the dough to tear. Using a nonstick skillet makes the beef easy to turn during such a quick sear. Since the beef will continue to cook in the oven, it’s important to get it in and out of the skillet quickly. Hang on to the skillet and drippings, since you’ll use those for the sauce.

Mix the Filling

Mix thawed, drained spinach, sour cream, some of the onion soup mix, and cracker crumbs. The crackers can be placed in a resealable bag and crushed with the bottom of a measuring cup. This mixture will go on the crescent dough before you add the beef, preventing the warm beef from touching the dough, which could make it soggy. It forms a flavorful protective layer.

Cut the Dough, Fill, and Bake

Cut the dough sheet into 24 little squares, then spoon a bit of spinach filling mixture in the center of each. Top each with one piece of the seared beef. Pull up and gently stretch two opposite corners of the dough together, then do the same with the remaining corners. Press the seams together, brush with egg wash, then bake. Be careful not to overbake. Start checking on them at the minimum bake time.

Make the Sauce

While the mini Wellingtons bake, cook the cheese and more onion soup mix in the drippings from the skillet you saved. Stir in some sour cream and oil and keep cooking until the mixture is smooth.

Arrange and Serve

Place the mini beef Wellingtons on a large serving platter. Spoon the smoked gouda dipping sauce in a small bowl and place in the center, then garnish with thyme sprigs for some bright, herbal color. You’ll be amazed how quickly these delicious little snacks disappear!

How to Store Mini Beef Wellingtons with Smoked Gouda Dipping Sauce

We’d be surprised to hear that you have any leftovers, but if you do, they can be stored and reheated.

To store leftover mini beef Wellingtons, place them in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 1 month. The cheese sauce can be refrigerated separately in a sealed, lidded container. We do not recommend freezing the cheese sauce.

To reheat (thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen) place in a 375°F oven for 10-15 minutes, until hot in center (at least 165°F). For best results, avoid reheating the mini Wellingtons in the microwave. However you may use a microwave to reheat the cheese sauce. Place the sauce in a microwavable bowl, loosely cover and microwave on High (100%) power in 15-second intervals, stirring after each, until steaming hot.

More Holiday Beef Recipes

Looking for more delicious beef recipes to add to your holiday menu? Check out these other great options:

Razzle-Dazzle Beef Bites: Crescent rounds or sliced, rolled Crescents are baked in muffin cups. Topped with a lemon pepper seasoned cream cheese spread, thinly sliced roast beef, and a dollop of horseradish- and mustard-spiked raspberry preserves for a simple dish that’s full of holiday flavor.

Sweet and Spicy Meatballs: Craving a beef-based app with a little bit of heat? These are oven-baked to perfection, then tossed in a stovetop sauce made of hot pepper jelly, apple juice, cornstarch, ground ginger, and garlic powder. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Easy Prime Rib Roast: For those special holiday dinners where you want to go all out, these fit the bill! It’s a simple yet elegant dish that stands out on any dinner table.

Whichever holiday beef recipes you decide to try, we know you and your guests will love them, and we can’t wait to hear how you’ve made them your own!

Frequently Asked Questions

While traditional beef Wellington is often served with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and sometimes a side salad, our delicious mini beef Wellingtons work well as a part of a big holiday appetizer spread. And we’ve got a couple more great ideas for pint-sized versions of classic holiday sides. You may want to have an apps-only celebration. We hope you enjoy these recipes and have a wonderful holiday season!

Thanksgiving Dinner Minis: Pack shredded turkey and gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, or green bean casserole into easy tartlets made with Pillsbury™ refrigerated pie crust.

Asparagus and Ham Crescent Bundles: For a portable mashup of a classic holiday side and main dish. With creamy flavored cheese, crispy panko, and Parmesan cheese, these heavy-hitters will fly off the appetizer table.

We don’t recommend serving the mini beef Wellingtons with smoked gouda dipping Sauce cold. While it’s fine to save leftovers and reheat them later (see how to store mini beef Wellingtons with smoked gouda dipping sauce above), this dish is traditionally served hot for a reason. It’s even more important for the appetizer version since the cheese sauce firms up as it cools off. The flavors and textures of the crescent dough, beef and sauce are much better when served warm or hot.

Mini Beef Wellingtons with Smoked Gouda Dipping Sauce

Prep time:30 min
Total time:60 min
Ingredients:16
Servings:24
Calories per serving:140

Ingredient

3/4 lb beef tenderloin, cut into 24 (1-inch) pieces
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
5 oz (1 1/4 cups) frozen spinach, thawed, squeezed to drain
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 tablespoon dry onion soup mix (from 1-oz package)
2 tablespoons saltine cracker crumbs (about three 2x2-inch squares)
1 can (8 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Dough Sheet
1 egg, slightly beaten

Dipping Sauce

4 oz smoked gouda cheese, shredded (1 cup)
1 teaspoon dry onion soup mix (from 1-oz package)
3/4 cup sour cream
2 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
Dash pepper

Garnish, if desired

6 (4-inch) thyme sprigs

Instructions

Step 1
Heat oven to 375°F. Line 18x13-inch sheet pan with cooking parchment paper.

Step 2
Season beef with salt and pepper. In 10-inch nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over high heat. Sear beef in oil 1 minute, turning to brown sides. Remove beef from skillet; set aside. Save skillet and drippings for dipping sauce.

Step 3
In small bowl, mix spinach, 2 tablespoons sour cream, 1 tablespoon onion soup mix, and the cracker crumbs; set aside.

Step 4
Unroll dough sheet on work surface. Press or roll into 13 1/2x9-inch rectangle. Using pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut dough lengthwise into 4 rows, then cut crosswise into 6 rows to make 24 pieces.

Step 5
To form each wellington, place 1 teaspoon of the spinach mixture onto center of each dough piece. Top with 1 piece of beef; press in lightly. Pull up 2 opposite corners of dough stretching slightly; pinch together. Repeat with 2 remaining corners, pressing all seams to seal. Place on sheet pan. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Brush wellingtons lightly with egg.

Step 6
Bake 17 to 19 minutes or until golden brown.

Step 7
Meanwhile, heat skillet with drippings over medium-low heat. Cook cheese and 1 teaspoon onion soup mix in drippings 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted. Stir in 3/4 cup sour cream and 2 1/2 teaspoons oil. Continue cooking 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until mixture is well blended. Remove from heat; place in small serving bowl. Sprinkle with dash of pepper. Serve appetizers and bowl of dipping sauce on large platter. Garnish with thyme.

Recipe Tips

Don’t be tempted to use bigger pieces of beef, since overfilling will cause the dough to tear.
Be careful not to overbake. Start checking on them at the minimum bake time.
Instead of thyme, other fresh herbs like flat-leaf parsley and chives may be used.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
140
Total Fat
10g
Protein
5g
Total Carbohydrate
7g
Sugars
0g

Servings: 24

Serving Size: 1 Appetizer and about 1 Tablespoon Sauce

Amount Per Serving Calories : 140

Nutrition Facts
Food Component / Nutrient	Amount	% , Daily Value*
Total Fat	10g	16%
Saturated Fat	6g	29%
Trans Fat	0g	% Value Not Available
Monounsaturated Fat	2g	% Value Not Available
Polyunsaturated Fat	0g	% Value Not Available
Omega-3	0g	% Value Not Available
Cholesterol	25mg	9%
Sodium	200mg	8%
Total Carbohydrate	7g	2%
Dietary Fiber	0g	0%
Soluble Fiber	0g	% Value Not Available
Insoluble Fiber	0g	% Value Not Available
Sugars	0g	% Value Not Available
Protein	5g	% Value Not Available
Vitamin D	Value Not Available	0%
Calcium	Value Not Available	4%
Iron	Value Not Available	2%
Potassium	70mg	2%
Vitamin A	Value Not Available	10%
Vitamin C	Value Not Available	0%
Vitamin E	Value Not Available	0%
Thiamin	Value Not Available	0%
Riboflavin	Value Not Available	4%
Niacin	Value Not Available	2%
Vitamin B6	Value Not Available	2%
Folic Acid	Value Not Available	2%
Vitamin B12	Value Not Available	4%
Pantothenic Acid	Value Not Available	0%
Phosphorus	Value Not Available	6%
Magnesium	Value Not Available	0%
Zinc	Value Not Available	6%
Manganese	Value Not Available	0%
Selenium	Value Not Available	8%
Copper	Value Not Available	0%
Beta-Carotene	Value Not Available	% Value Not Available
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Exchanges

Starch ½,
Fruit 0,
Other Carbohydrate 0,
Skim Milk 0,
Low-Fat Milk 0,
Milk 0,
Vegetable 0,
Very Lean Meat 0,
Lean Meat ½,
Medium-Fat Meat 0,
High-Fat Meat 0,
Fat 1&½,
Fruits 0c,
Vegetables 0c,
Grains 0oz-eq,
Meat & Beans 0oz-eq,
Dairy 0c,
Fats & Oils 0tsp

Carbohydrate Choice

Carbohydrate Choice½

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