Italian Pinwheels (Print Version)

Colorful Italian-style pinwheels with cured meats, cheese, and roasted peppers in cream cheese spread

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 6 slices Genoa salami (approximately 3 ounces)
02 - 6 slices deli ham (approximately 3 ounces)
03 - 6 slices pepperoni (approximately 3 ounces)

→ Cheese

04 - 6 slices provolone cheese (approximately 3 ounces)

→ Vegetables & Greens

05 - 1 cup fresh baby spinach leaves, washed and thoroughly dried
06 - 1 medium roasted red bell pepper, thinly sliced (approximately 2 ounces)

→ Cream Spread

07 - 4 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
08 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
09 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
10 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced

→ Bread

11 - 4 large 10-inch flour tortillas

→ Garnish

12 - 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil or parsley

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Combine softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic in a small mixing bowl. Whip until completely smooth and thoroughly incorporated.
02 - Place a tortilla flat on a clean work surface. Using an offset spatula or knife, evenly spread one-quarter of the cream cheese mixture across the entire surface, extending to the edges.
03 - Distribute one-quarter of the spinach leaves evenly over the creamed surface. Arrange salami, ham, pepperoni, provolone slices, and roasted red pepper strips in a single layer over the spinach.
04 - Starting from the bottom edge, roll the tortilla upward tightly to form a compact log. Apply gentle pressure to eliminate air pockets and ensure the roll holds together securely.
05 - Continue the process with the remaining three tortillas. Wrap each rolled log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the rolls to firm for clean slicing.
06 - Remove the plastic wrap from the chilled rolls. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut each log into 6 equal pinwheels, approximately 1 inch thick. Wipe the blade between cuts for clean slices.
07 - Arrange the pinwheels cut-side up on a serving platter. Sprinkle with chopped fresh basil or parsley if desired. Serve immediately or keep refrigerated until serving time. Pair with marinara sauce for dipping if preferred.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The combination of savory meats and that herbed cream cheese spread creates layers of flavor that keep people coming back for just one more
  • They look impressive but come together in about fifteen minutes, leaving you more time to actually hang out with your guests
  • You can assemble everything the night before and just slice when you are ready to serve
02 -
  • The chilling step is absolutely not optional because warm, soft tortillas will smoosh and lose that beautiful spiral pattern when you try to cut them
  • Use your sharpest knife and make gentle sawing motions rather than pressing down hard, which keeps the layers from squishing out of shape
03 -
  • If your tortillas seem stiff, microwave them for ten seconds wrapped in a damp paper towel to make them more pliable
  • Pat the roasted red peppers dry with paper towels before adding them so extra moisture does not make the tortillas soggy

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