Ingredients
Scale
For the Cream Cheese Spread:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: 2 tablespoons mayonnaise for extra creaminess
For the Pinwheels:
- 4-5 large (10-12 inch) flour tortillas
- 6-8 oz sliced Italian deli meats (salami, pepperoni, capicola)
- 4-6 oz sliced provolone or mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup roasted red peppers, drained and patted dry
- 1-2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
- Optional: ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- Optional: ¼ cup pepperoncini or banana peppers, chopped
Instructions
Prepare the Cream Cheese Spread:
- Mix Spread: In a medium bowl, combine softened cream cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix with a fork or spatula until smooth and well combined. Add mayonnaise if using for extra creaminess.
Assemble the Pinwheels:
- Spread Cream Cheese: Lay one tortilla flat on a clean cutting board. Spread about 2-3 tablespoons of the seasoned cream cheese in a thin, even layer over the entire surface of the tortilla, going all the way to the edges.
- Layer Meats: Arrange 2-3 slices of deli meat over the cream cheese, covering most of the surface but leaving a 1-inch border at the far edge (this helps seal the roll).
- Add Cheese: Layer 1-2 slices of provolone or mozzarella over the meat.
- Add Vegetables: Arrange roasted red pepper strips, spinach leaves, and any optional ingredients (sun-dried tomatoes, pepperoncini) over the cheese. Don’t overfill—a thin layer works best.
- Roll Tightly: Starting from the edge closest to you, roll the tortilla up tightly but gently, keeping the filling compressed. The cream cheese will help seal the edge.
- Wrap: Wrap the rolled tortilla tightly in plastic wrap, twisting the ends to secure. This helps the roll hold its shape.
- Repeat: Repeat with remaining tortillas and ingredients.
Chill and Serve:
- Refrigerate: Refrigerate wrapped rolls for at least 1 hour (or up to 24 hours). Chilling makes them much easier to slice cleanly and allows flavors to meld.
- Slice: Unwrap chilled rolls and place on cutting board. Using a sharp knife, trim off the ends, then slice each roll into ¾-1 inch rounds, wiping the knife clean between cuts for neat slices.
- Serve: Arrange pinwheels cut-side up on a serving platter. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Soften cream cheese to room temperature for easiest spreading.
- Pat all wet ingredients (peppers, etc.) completely dry to prevent soggy pinwheels.
- Don’t overfill tortillas or they won’t roll properly and will fall apart.
- Chilling is essential for clean slicing—don’t skip this step.
- Wipe knife clean between cuts for neat, pretty pinwheels.
- Store in refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- For best results, assemble the night before and slice just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (plus 1 hour chilling time)
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 pinwheels
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 685mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 42mg