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Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups
Soft, creamy, and delightfully savory, my Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups are a potluck marvel! They require only a handful of easy-to-find ingredients and just 5 minutes to assemble, making them the perfect last-minute addition to any spread.
Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups are also excellent candidates for meal prep, making them an exciting addition to packed lunches.
Love these ham and cheese pinwheels? Try my Mexican Pinwheels and baked French Dip Pinwheels, too!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ham and Cheese Pinwheels are one of my favorite easy appetizers to make for a crowd because they are:
- Quick and Easy. Aside from mixing up your cream cheese spread, there’s really no prep to speak of. Just layer the ingredients in your tortillas, roll them up, slice, and serve!
- Have Only 6 Ingredients. This simple recipe calls for easy-to-find ingredients, and the list is so short you can probably memorize it!
- Kid-Friendly. While these cheese and ham rolls may look quite elegant, they have a flavor profile that even your pickiest little ones will appreciate.
- Easily Customizable. Not a fan of ham? Swap in turkey! Want them to be color-coded to a specific event? Choose a flavored wrap! Read on below for even more ideas on how to make these yummy pinwheel sandwiches absolutely perfect for your needs.
Ingredients for Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups
You don’t need much to make these easy, cheesy roll-up sandwiches. Here’s what you’ll need to grab:
- Large Tortillas – Grab the largest tortillas you can find. They’re often labeled as “burrito-size” or as “sandwich wraps,” in case you have trouble finding them at the store.
- Cream Cheese – Make sure you’re working with room temperature cheese to ensure easy spreading. Feel free to swap in any flavored cream cheese you prefer, or opt to use a plant-based alternative instead.
- Pepper – Freshly cracked black pepper is far more flavorful than the pre-ground kind that comes in a tin.
- Dried Parsley – If you don’t have any on hand, try using garlic salt, dried oregano, dried thyme, or onion powder instead. You can also opt to use a flavored cream cheese spread if you’d prefer one less step.
- Extra Thin Colby Jack Cheese – “Extra Thin” is the ticket here, so you have the right meat-to-cheese ratio. Feel free to swap in any thinly sliced cheese you prefer.
- Deli Ham – Plain deli ham, honey ham, rosemary ham, or even thinly sliced Canadian bacon will do the trick…feel free to have fun here! You can also swap in or add other deli meats if you prefer.
How To Make Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups
Be sure to check the recipe card below for full ingredients & instructions.
These simple tortilla pinwheel sandwiches will be ready before you can say “Bob’s your uncle!” Here’s how it’s done:
Step 1: Make Cream Cheese Mixture. In a small bowl, whip the cream cheese until it’s smooth and soft. Add the pepper and oregano to the cream cheese and whip again until the spices are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Step 2: Spread and Layer. Use a knife to spread the cream cheese mixture over the tortilla and layer the cheese and ham on top of the tortilla.
Step 3: Roll, Cut, & Enjoy! Roll up the tortilla and slice them into wheels about ½ – 1 inch thick. Garnish with fresh parsley, then serve. YUM!
FAQs
How do I get my ham & cheese pinwheels to stick shut?
Cream cheese! That’s right, folks. Your soft, spreadable cheese isn’t just for taste and good looks; it’s also your glue! Be sure to spread the cream cheese all the way to the edges of the wrap so your roll-ups have something to stick to.
If you’re still having trouble, it might be that your cream cheese isn’t quite soft enough yet, so leave it out. If your tortilla wraps are a little stale, they may also prevent you from getting a tightly wrapped sandwich.
If this is the case, feel free to use a toothpick to secure each piece. PRO TIP: Add something like a gherkin, pepperoncini, or a cherry tomato to the toothpick to make it look like it was supposed to be there.
How can I prevent my ham cream cheese roll-ups from getting soggy?
These ham and cheese pinwheels don’t have any ingredients that should cause them to get soggy. The problem only arises when people try to put “wet” ingredients like slices of tomato or pieces of lettuce in the mix.
If you are defrosting the roll-ups from frozen, be sure to give them ample time to come to room temperature. If you try to speed up the process, you might inadvertently introduce condensation into the mix, which can cause sogginess.
Can I add other things to my cream cheese pinwheels?
Yes, and no. Other types of deli meat and additional cheeses are always welcome to the mix. You can also add more flavor to your cream cheese mixture by adding in dried herbs or capers if you’d like.
If you wanted to add more “sandwichy” ingredients like tomatoes, lettuce, or peppers, I suggest using a toothpick to skewer these additions to each piece. This will help to prevent any soggy bottoms.
Can I use spreadable cream cheese, or do I need to use block cream cheese?
Sure thing! Feel free to use any kind of cream cheese you prefer.
Serving Suggestions
As far as I’m concerned, these roll-ups are perfect as a tea-time snack with other finger sandwiches, or to serve at buffet-style luncheons. They’re also great for cute packed lunches!
The tortilla pinwheels are so delicious that you won’t need much help selling them to the crowd. That said, I do have a few suggestions to take your presentation over the top:
- When it comes to food, remember you eat with your eyes first. I suggest using a pretty serving tray that you line with leaf lettuce for a little color and frill. Serve the roll-ups with the cut sides visible — they’re actually quite pretty!
- If you want a little extra visual *pop*, try alternating two different colors of tortilla wraps.
- Use toothpicks to add extra garnishes (e.g. cornichons or cherry tomatoes). This can also be useful if you’re having trouble getting the wraps to stay sealed shut!
Variations
- Other Spices: If you want to add more pizazz to your cream cheese spread, garlic salt, oregano, and onion powder are all good places to start.
- Different Deli Meats: Ham and cheese is a classic combination, but there are plenty of other deli meats out there to choose from. Try making some turkey and cheese roll-ups, or swap in or add other meats like salami, pastrami, pepperoni, or roast beef.
- Different Cheeses: I love the mild flavor of Colby Jack and find that it is a real crowd-pleaser. All that said, feel free to swap in any flavor cheese of your choice! Try using provolone (especially if you add in some salami or pepperoni), cheddar, havarti, muenster, or gouda. No matter what you choose, be sure to opt for *thinly sliced* cheese to make sure you can roll up the pinwheel without breaking it.
- Flavored Wraps: Gone are the days when the only tortilla options available were flour or corn. Nowadays, tortilla wraps come in all kinds of flavors! Try using a spinach and herb variety if you want the wraps to be green, or sun-dried tomato if you’d like red. Or alternate with one of each if you’re making them for a holiday party!
- Flavored Cream Cheese: If you want to jazz your ham & cheese pinwheels up without any extra effort, reach for some flavored cream cheese! Savory options like Chive & Onion or Herb Flavored cream cheeses are a great option.
Storing
One of the best things about these ham cheese roll-ups is that they are perfect for making in advance! Here’s how to store them for the best possible results:
- Refrigerator Storage: You can store these pinwheels for up to 3 days in the fridge covered with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container.
- Freezer Storage: You can store the pinwheels in the freezer for up to two months. Simply place them in the fridge and serve once they are completely thawed. Be sure to check the center of the pinwheels because the tortilla will thaw faster than the cream cheese. I suggest allowing them to defrost overnight in the fridge so you don’t have any unexpected icy fillings!
Expert Tips
- You need a glue, so don’t omit it! If you’d rather use something else other than cream cheese, be sure to opt for a spreadable choice. Boursin, slightly warmed goat cheese (to make it spreadable), or Neufchatel cheese would all do the trick nicely. If dairy is out of the question, try using a plant-based cream cheese substitute, or turn to something like hummus instead.
- Be sure to get large enough tortilla wraps. They are sometimes sold as “burrito-sized,” or they may be labeled “wraps” instead of tortillas, especially if they are flavored.
- Make sure your tortillas are nice and fresh so they are pliable enough to roll up without breaking.
- Avoid adding “wet” ingredients to the actual pinwheels (e.g. sliced tomatoes), or you’ll risk them going soggy. I suggest offering cherry tomatoes on the side if you’re hankering for the addition. You can also use a toothpick to skewer one to each piece for easy presentation points.
More Deliciously Easy Appetizer Recipes to Try
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Ham and Cheese Tortilla Pinwheels
Ham and Cheese Roll-Ups are soft, creamy, and delightfully savory and take just 5 minutes to make. They're a perfect last minute appetizer.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 large tortillas burrito size
- 8 ounce block of cream cheese room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 12 slices extra thin Colby jack cheese
- 12 slices deli ham
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whip the cream cheese until it is smooth and soft.
- Add the pepper and oregano to the cream cheese and whip again until the spices are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Use a knife to spread the cream cheese mixture over the tortilla and layer the cheese and ham on top of the tortilla.
- Roll up the tortilla and slice them into wheels about .5-1 inch thick.
- Garnish with parsley, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- Refrigerator Storage: You can store these pinwheels for up to 3 days in the fridge covered with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container.
- Freezer Storage: You can store the pinwheels in the freezer for up to two months. Simply place them in the fridge and serve once they are completely thawed. Be sure to check the center of the pinwheels because the tortilla will thaw faster than the cream cheese. I suggest allowing them to defrost overnight in the fridge so you don’t have any unexpected icy fillings!
Nutrition
Calories: 229kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 17gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 708mgPotassium: 183mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 289IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 276mgIron: 1mg
