I whipped up these amazing Italian pinwheels for a recent party, and I’m telling you, they’re a total crowd-pleaser!
These little bites are packed with flavor and always a hit at gatherings. The combination of savory meats, gooey cheese, and zesty cream cheese spread all rolled up in a soft tortilla is simply irresistible.
When I served them, they disappeared faster than I could say, “mangia!”
They’re so easy to make ahead, too, making them perfect for entertaining.
Why You’ll Love These Italian Pinwheels
Easy Preparation: This recipe is straightforward and quick to prepare, making it ideal for busy hosts or last-minute gatherings.
Versatile Serving: You can serve them as appetizers, snacks, or even light lunches, making them versatile for various occasions.
Fantastic Flavor: The combination of cream cheese, Italian meats, cheese, and fresh lettuce creates a deliciously satisfying taste experience.
Make-Ahead Convenience: These pinwheels can be made ahead of time and refrigerated, allowing for stress-free entertaining and planning.
Ingredients
- Genoa Salami: A flavorful, slightly spicy Italian dry salami adds a robust kick to the pinwheels.
- Pepperoni: Spicy, thinly sliced pepperoni delivers a zesty bite and classic Italian flavor.
- Deli Ham: Thinly sliced, savory ham provides a delicate balance to the bold salami and pepperoni.
- Cream Cheese: Smooth, tangy, and spreadable, it acts as the perfect base for the pinwheel filling.
- Pepperoncini and Roasted Red Peppers: Tangy pepperoncini and sweet, smoky roasted red peppers add a burst of flavor and texture.
- Provolone and Parmesan Cheese: Provolone brings a mild, creamy flavor, while Parmesan adds a sharp, salty.
- Italian Seasoning and Garlic Powder: They infuse the cream cheese with authentic Italian flavors.
- Shredded Romaine Lettuce: Crisp, fresh, and crunchy, it adds a refreshing contrast to the rich meats and cheeses.
- Large Flour Tortillas: Soft, pliable wraps hold all the delicious ingredients together in one perfect pinwheel.
How to Make Italian Pinwheels
These pinwheels look impressive, but they’re so easy to make!
1. Prepare the filling. In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, roasted red peppers, pepperoncini peppers, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder until well combined.
2. Spread the mixture. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over each tortilla, leaving a small border around the edges.
3. Layer the ingredients. Layer 2 slices each of provolone cheese, salami, ham, and pepperoni on each tortilla. Sprinkle the shredded romaine lettuce evenly over the meats and cheeses.|
4. Roll and chill. Roll up each tortilla tightly, then wrap securely in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
5. Slice and serve. When you’re ready to serve, use a sharp serrated knife to slice each roll into 1-inch thick pinwheels. Arrange the pinwheels on a serving platter and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Italian Pinwheels
These easy tricks will make your pinwheels a guaranteed hit!
- The softer, the better. Ensure the cream cheese is very soft so it’s easy to mix and spread evenly on the tortillas.
- Make those peppers look fine! Chop the roasted red peppers and pepperoncini peppers finely so they distribute well in the cream cheese mixture.
- Tightly roll the tortillas. Roll the tortillas as tightly as possible to help the pinwheels hold together well.
- Give them some chill time. Refrigerate the rolled tortillas for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results, to allow them to firm up before slicing.
- Use the right knife. Slice the chilled rolls into 1-inch pinwheels using a sharp serrated knife in a gentle sawing motion to get clean, intact slices.
- Try tasty variations. Try adding different veggies like spinach, sun-dried tomatoes or onions. Swap in different Italian meats and cheeses. Use flavored tortillas for more color.
How to Store
Here’s how to keep your pinwheels fresh and party-ready.
To Store: Place the Italian pinwheels in an air-tight container lined with paper towels. They can be refrigerated for up to 3 days, but are best consumed within 24-48 hours for optimal freshness.
To Freeze: Wrap individual pinwheels tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or bag. You can freeze them up to a month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Italian Pinwheels
32
servings20
minutes113
kcalTry these Italian pinwheels the next time you need a party appetizer! With salami, ham, pepperoni, cheese, and peppers, they’ll disappear in no time!
Ingredients
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
1/4 cup pepperoncini peppers, chopped
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
4 large flour tortillas
8 slices provolone cheese
8 slices Genoa salami
8 slices deli ham
8 slices pepperoni
2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, roasted red peppers, pepperoncini peppers, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder until well combined.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over each tortilla, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Layer 2 slices each of provolone cheese, salami, ham, and pepperoni on each tortilla. Sprinkle shredded romaine lettuce evenly over the meats and cheeses.
- Roll up each tortilla tightly, then wrap securely in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for best results.
- When ready to serve, use a sharp serrated knife to slice each roll into 1-inch thick pinwheels. Arrange the pinwheels on a serving platter and enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is very soft so it’s easy to mix and spread.
- Roll the tortillas as tightly as possible to help the pinwheels hold together.
- Chill the rolled tortillas before slicing to allow them to firm up, making slicing easier.
- Use a serrated knife in a gentle sawing motion to cut clean, intact pinwheels.
