Creamy Italian Meat & Spinach Tortilla Pinwheels Recipe
Italian Pinwheels are a delicious and easy appetizer featuring tortillas spread with a creamy mixture of cream cheese, Italian meats, cheeses, and fresh spinach, then rolled up and sliced into bite-sized spirals. Perfect for parties, lunchboxes, or a light snack, these flavorful pinwheels combine savory ingredients in a convenient, handheld form.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 pinwheels (3 pinwheels per tortilla) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 6 oz Italian meats (such as salami, pepperoni, and ham), thinly sliced
- 1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend (mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan)
- 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, washed and patted dry
Instructions
- Prepare the cream cheese spread: In a bowl, ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature to make spreading easier and creamier.
- Spread filling on tortillas: Evenly spread a generous layer of cream cheese over each tortilla, covering the entire surface to create a smooth base for the other ingredients.
- Add Italian meats and cheese: Lay slices of Italian meats over the cream cheese layer, followed by an even sprinkle of shredded Italian cheese blend for savory flavor and meltiness.
- Add spinach: Place fresh spinach leaves evenly over the meats and cheese, providing a fresh, slightly crunchy texture that balances the richness.
- Roll tightly: Starting at one edge, carefully roll each tortilla tightly into a log shape, ensuring the filling stays inside for neat, bite-sized portions.
- Slice into pinwheels: Using a sharp knife, slice each rolled tortilla into 1-inch thick pinwheels, revealing a beautiful spiral pattern of the layers inside.
- Serve: Arrange the pinwheels on a serving platter and serve immediately, or chill in the refrigerator to firm up before serving.
Notes
- For best results, use softened cream cheese so it spreads smoothly.
- Try substituting spinach with arugula or basil for different flavor profiles.
- Pinwheels can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours; cover tightly to prevent drying.
- To add extra flavor, consider spreading a thin layer of pesto or mustard on the tortilla before the cream cheese.
- Use whole wheat or gluten-free tortillas if desired for dietary preferences.
Keywords: Italian pinwheels, appetizer, cream cheese pinwheels, Italian meats, party snacks, easy appetizers
