These easy Italian pinwheels are packed with amazing ingredients! They’re super flavorful and make a great party appetizer or quick lunch!

Try this appetizer alongside some other reader favorites: Meatloaf Meatballs, Best Ever Baked Parmesan Garlic Potato Wedges, or Copycat Bang Bang Shrimp.

Italian Pinwheels

Hey everyone! It’s Chelsea back from Chelsea’s Messy Apron with a delicious AND easy appetizer to share! As we’re approaching summer, this is a recipe you’ll want to have handy! It’s great to bring to a party or potluck — everyone will be begging for the recipe!

It also makes an easy lunch. You can even meal prep these Italian pinwheels; more on that later!

How to make Italian Pinwheels:

• Prepare ingredients: dry and then coarsely chop the roasted red peppers and pepperoncini
• Make cream cheese mixture: combine the cream cheese and Italian seasoning in a bowl and beat until smooth and creamy. Stir in the chopped peppers and pepperoncini until smooth. Smooth about 3 tablespoons of this mixture all over each tortilla.
• Layer on ingredients: now layer ingredients evenly across the tortilla in a horizontal line in this order: pepperoni, ham, salami, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes
• Roll up: roll the pinwheel into a tight cylinder, starting at the end with the filling. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and place in the fridge to firm up for one hour.
• Eat: Use a very sharp knife to slice the pinwheels into 1 inch slices. Enjoy!!

How to meal prep with these Italian pinwheels:

• Start by making the pinwheels. Since they need to chill in the fridge for a bit it’s best to do those first. Once the pinwheels are chilled, cut them into 1 inch slices and then place 3-4 pinwheels into a plastic bag and then into the meal prepping container. This makes sure the tortilla part doesn’t harden at all and also doesn’t get soggy from the veggies.
• Add fresh veggies: start by washing and drying the veggies. Slice them into dip-able sizes and then put into the lunchbox/meal prep container. 2-3 different veggies are best for a good lunch variety. Add a small container of dip to go alongside the veggies! We like a ranch dip!
• Cover everything making sure it’s sealed in an airtight container and store in the fridge until ready to enjoy.
• And in case the pinwheels/veggies won’t quite fill you up, add a separate snack in a snack sized plastic bag. Some ideas: fresh berries/fruit, crackers, assorted nuts, chips, additional pinwheels, etc.

Variations for this recipe:

1. Meat Lovers: leave out the veggies!
2. Vegetarian: double the veggies and cheese, leave out the meat!
3. Don’t want it spicy? Use just ham and pepperoni instead of salami and leave out the pepperoncini
4. Want to add a little spice? Add 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes to the cream cheese mixture!
5. Use different tortillas: we love sun-dried, but you can try an herb filled tortilla instead!

More easy appetizers for you to enjoy:

• Ham and Cheese Sliders
• Pigs in a blanket
• 7 Layer Bean Dip
• Roasted Vegetables
• Deviled Egg Recipe