Italian Pinwheels
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Italian Pinwheels are the perfect make-ahead appetizer and can be paired with a simple dipping sauce. These simple rollups combine large tortillas, tangy cream cheese, olives, artichokes, Italian meats, and provolone cheese.
Easy Italian Pinwheels
We love an easy appetizer and these are just that – simple yet delicious. The key to these is getting fresh tortillas. When you go to the store, make sure they are soft and pliable.
I decided to use a colorful combo of burrito-sized tortillas for this pinwheel recipe. We eat with our eyes too, right?
Why This Recipe Works:
- SIMPLE – This appetizer uses simple ingredients that can easily be found in your local grocery store. The best part is how quickly you can make it – less than 30 minutes!
- CUSTOMIZABLE – We love the Italian flavors in this tortilla roll-up recipe. But you can customize it by using different Italian flavors. Try adding banana peppers, red onion, sun-dried tomatoes
- FULL OF FLAVOR – Italian flavors are some of our favorites. These remind me of our Italian Grinder Sandwich and are an easy snack.
- MAKE AHEAD – Prep these ahead of time for all the occasions. Roll them up and wrap in plastic wrap until party time. They go great at a party, game day, family gatherings, baby shower and bridal showers.
Ingredients Used for this Pinwheel Appetizer:
Simple ingredients are used for this flavorful appetizer recipe.
- Large Flour Tortillas – Use any flavor of burrito-sized tortillas. We used regular, spinach wraps, and tomato basil wraps.
- Cream Cheese – Use either light or full-fat cream cheese. Make sure you let it sit out at room temperature.
- Olives – We used a combo of kalamata and green olives.
- Artichokes – Try the jarred and marinated artichokes.
- Seasonings – A simple combo of Italian seasoning, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Italian Deli Meats – You can use any Italian meats. We went with slices of deli ham, hard salami, and mortadella.
- Provolone Cheese – You’ll use thin slices of provolone cheese.
- Dipping Sauce – A simple combo of mayo, olive oil, lemon juice, and seasonings.
How to make Easy Italian Pinwheels:
Step 1
Chop olives and artichokes. Use a sharp knife to dice the olives and artichoke hearts.
Step 2
Combine the cream cheese mixture. In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer to combine the softened cream cheese with the diced olives and artichoke hearts.
Step 3
Assemble Italian Pinwheels. Lay a large tortilla on a cutting board. Use a rubber spatula to spread 1/3 of the cream cheese spread onto the center of each tortilla, spreading evenly over the entire surface. Then add 1/3 of the meats and provolone cheese.
Use your hands to tightly roll up the tortilla wrap, keeping the insides from squeezing out.
Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
Step 4
Slice. Use a sharp serrated knife to slice the tortilla rollups into 1-inch slices. Arrange Italian roll-ups on a platter for the perfect appetizer!
Step 5
Make dipping sauce. In a mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Use a whisk to combine well. Then add the sauce to a small bowl to serve.
Store these leftover tasty pinwheels in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
Other Appetizer Recipes:
We love a great appetizer for all the occasions. The following easy recipes are other delicious choices.
- Dill Pickle Pinwheels – Another Italian pinwheels recipe that you should try next!
- Cowboy Caviar with Avocado
- Baked Artichoke Dip
- Baked Goat Cheese Dip
- Wasabi Aioli and Asparagus
Kitchen Tools Used: (affiliate links)
xoxo ~Sue
Italian Pinwheels
Ingredients
For the pinwheels:
- 3 large flour tortillas
- 8 oz. cream cheese light – or full-fat
- 3 oz. olives – green, black, or kalamata (or a combo)
- 2 oz. marinated artichoke hearts
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 oz. deli ham
- 3 oz. hard salami
- 3 oz. mortadella
- 6 oz. provolone cheese
For the dipping sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayo with olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste
Instructions
- Chop olives and artichokes. Use a sharp knife to dice the olives and artichoke hearts.
- Combine the cream cheese mixture. In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer to combine the softened cream cheese with the diced olives and artichoke hearts.
- Assemble Italian Pinwheels. Lay a large tortilla on a cutting board. Use a rubber spatula to spread 1/3 of the cream cheese spread onto the center of each tortilla, spreading evenly over the entire surface. Then add 1/3 of the meats and provolone cheese. Use your hands to tightly roll up the tortilla wrap, keeping the insides from squeezing out.Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
- Slice. Use a sharp serrated knife to slice the tortilla rollups into 1-inch slices. Arrange Italian roll-ups on a platter for the perfect appetizer!
- Make dipping sauce. In a mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Use a whisk to combine well. Then add the sauce to a small bowl to serve.
It’s awesome that you can make this recipe in advance when serving for a party! Tastes great and also fun to eat!
Amen!