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Recipe For Taco Pinwheels

This recipe for taco pinwheels is super easy to make and it makes a great appetizer or snack recipe. You can make fiesta pinwheels for parties and lunches too!

I love making these taco pinwheel appetizers for an easy after school snack or lunch at my desk. They’re delicious and fun but also super simple to make.

There’s nothing difficult about making pinwheels. They always come out so cute and every bite is flavorful but the process is super simple. You can also try Festive Cream Cheese Pinwheels, Veggie Pinwheels and Salami Pickle Pinwheels for more.

Pin showing the finished recipe for taco pinwheels with title across the top.

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If you have never made pinwheels you might be wondering what they are! If you can’t tell by the photos, pinwheels are basically just stuffed, rolled up, and sliced tortillas.

Making pinwheels is a great way to serve up something that might otherwise be kind of boring meals! This recipe for taco pinwheels makes bite-sized finger food that kids and adults alike will love.

Top down view of the sliced taco pinwheels ready to be served.

Ingredients for the fiesta pinwheels:

To make these really easy fiesta pinwheels you will need lean ground beef, taco seasoning, cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, and flour tortillas.

You can find the full amounts and nutritional info in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post. You might already have some of these five simple ingredients on hand.

When I stock up on ingredients that I know will last and be useful in a lot of recipes I grab things like ground beef, cream cheese, and shredded cheese. We almost always have flour tortillas on hand as well, which means whipping up these taco pinwheels is always an option.

Ingredients needed to make recipe for taco pinwheels ready to go for the recipe.

Can I make my own taco seasoning?

If you have never made your own taco seasoning you should try it! Use this easy taco seasoning recipe to make your own!

You can use packaged taco seasoning for sure, but I love to have homemade on hand. Then I just grab a scoop and we are ready to go.

A close up view of the finished recipe for taco pinwheels ready to eat.

How much does this recipe make?

When you cut up your pinwheels you will want to keep them roughly the same size. The whole recipe will make about 20-25 pinwheels.

These taco pinwheel appetizers will make about 5 or so slices in each rolled up tortilla. If you cut them into more slices, they will be thinner and might not hold together as well. So keep that in mind when cutting up your tortillas. Just as with any party pinwheel recipe, you can change the tortillas to whatever kind you prefer: wheat, low carb, flavored/colorful, and even gluten-free.

Another look at the finished rolled and sliced pinwheels ready to eat.

When to serve this recipe for taco pinwheels:

If you need some ideas of when to serve fiesta pinwheels, I think they’re great for all kinds of settings. We have these for lunches from time to time because they’re easy to pack for school lunches and work meals. Don’t they look pretty on a wooden cutting board?

Another great idea is to make these taco appetizers for snacks and for parties. I like to make these whenever we need a finger food type dish to take to backyard BBQ’s and parties. Family gatherings are great for serving up simple finger foods like this!

A look at the finished pinwheels ready to eat.

How to make fiesta pinwheels:

This really easy pinwheels recipe will make everyone happy. You’ll love that they’re easy to make, and everyone else will love that they’re so delicious.

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, chopping it as finely as you can while it’s cooking.

getting ready to fry up the beef.

Drain grease from pan before next step.

taco seasoning added to the ground beef.

Add taco seasoning and just a little bit of water. Stir well.

adding water to the taco seasoning.

Combine cooked taco meat, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese. Stir well.

cream cheese being added to the taco meat.

Spoon ¼ of the mixture onto a tortilla, then spread evenly in a thin layer to the edges.

More cheese added to the meat and cream cheese mixture.

Roll the tortilla up, and slice into 1-2 inch pieces.

Tortilla loaded and being rolled up.

Stand pinwheel up, and shape into a circle, if needed.

Cutting the rolls

Looking for more delicious and simple finger food recipes?

Sometimes you just need simple lunch recipes and finger food choices. Here are some of our favorite easy recipes to enjoy at parties, family gatherings, and more:

Printable Recipe For Taco Pinwheels:

Yield: 20 Pinwheels

Recipe For Taco Pinwheels

Featured image showing the finished recipe for taco pinwheels ready to eat.

This recipe for taco pinwheels is super easy to make and it makes a great appetizer or snack recipe. You can make fiesta pinwheels for parties and lunches too!

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • ¼ cup taco seasoning (or 1 packet)
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 4 large flour tortillas

Instructions

  1. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium heat, chopping it as finely as you can while it’s cooking.
  2. Drain grease.
  3. Add taco seasoning and just a little bit of water. Stir well.
  4. Combine cooked taco meat, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese. Stir well.
  5. Spoon ¼ of the mixture onto a tortilla, then spread evenly in a thin layer to the edges.
  6. Roll the tortilla up, and slice into 1-2 inch pieces.
  7. Stand pinwheel up, and shape into a circle, if needed.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

10

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 304Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 525mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 19g
more taco pin wheels ready to eat.

Jeanne Sexe

Saturday 12th of August 2023

I made mine last night and simply rolled the four filled tortillas up and let them sit in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before cutting them—this made them easier to slice. What I’d like to know is if these are to be served hot or cold.

Gina

Saturday 12th of August 2023

That is up to you! I like them warm with the cheese melty, but they’re also okay to refrigerate for later since the meat is fully cooked.

Michelle

Friday 18th of November 2022

Can these be frozen?

Gina

Friday 18th of November 2022

I haven't tried that. I am not sure what the texture would be after defrosting and baking.

MCC

Thursday 9th of June 2022

You could substitute chicken for meat, either ground or shredded cooked chicken for a different flavor.

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