Some people have a favorite cuisine- like Italian food, Mexican food, or All-American BBQ. Me? My favorite is appetizers!
Whether I’m looking for easy recipes for picky eaters and want to have lots of great options on hand or I’m looking for easy appetizers for an after school snack or family gathering, there are so many delicious appetizers to choose from.
One of the biggest hits around here- not just for my appetizer-loving self but for our entire family- is this delicious Taco Pinwheel Recipe! It makes for a great appetizer for a party or even a weeknight dinner option when paired with some veggies or a side salad!
How should you serve taco pinwheels?
These Taco Pinwheels are so easy to make- but how do you serve taco pinwheels? Just like there are a million ways to serve tacos, there are so many options when it comes to these pinwheels too!
For a party: Make a batch {or two} of the taco pinwheels then serve them on a platter alongside your favorite taco toppings in a taco bar.
Include toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheese {I recommend a Mexican cheese blend or cheddar cheese}, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and even black olives and bell pepper if you’re feeling fancy!
For dinner: These make an excellent and easy weeknight dinner for the whole family. These taco pinwheels do include tomatoes in them but they also pair really well with a side salad or a side of corn. Or make these roasted carrots!
How do you roll up taco pinwheels?
These taco pinwheels look complicated, but they really couldn’t be easier. Using crescent roll dough instead of puff pastry makes it even easier because the dough is literally used to being in a tube, so it’s more than happy to be rolled back up once you add your ingredients!
A full recipe is included below, including the steps to roll these up, and you can check out the pictures below too. But basically here’s how it goes:
- Roll your dough out on a flat surface
- Add your meat mixture
- Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
Can you make pinwheels ahead of time?
If you’re making these pinwheels ahead of time, you have two options depending on how much you want to prep them when it’s time to eat them.
If you just want to get them started, add your meat mixture to the crescent roll dough, roll up, and wrap in plastic wrap. Then put them in the fridge until you’re ready to bake them.
If you want them fully prepped and ready to go, go ahead and follow all of the directions and then place them in the fridge in an airtight container.
Either way, make sure that when you do prep them for serving the meat inside gets up to 165 degrees F- whether that’s from you baking them or microwaving them {if they’re already fully prepped}.
What Supplies Do You Need to Make This Taco Pinwheels Recipe Using Crescent Rolls?
To make Taco Pinwheels, you’ll need:
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Step by Step Guide
Ready to cook? For best results, grab the printable recipe at the bottom of this post and come back here to get started!
{The shortened steps are listed with the photos but for a detailed recipe, head to the bottom!}
Brown the ground beef in a large skillet with the onion over medium-high heat; then add the tomatoes, seasoning and water
Unroll one package of crescent roll dough on a lightly floured piece of parchment paper; spread half the cream cheese over it
Top with half of the taco meat, then the cheese {tip: I used a Mexican blend cheese but you could use Cheddar Cheese if you like that more!}
Roll the dough into a log- it’s easiest if you use the parchment paper to help lift the dough as you roll
Use a serrated knife to cut the dough into 8 slices, then place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet
Repeat and bake according to recipe directions down below!
Hungry for More?
Want more delicious taco recipes? Try these:
- Chicken Pineapple Teriyaki Tacos
- Taco Crescent Rolls
- Game Day Nacho Tacos
- Easy Breakfast Tacos
- Cheesy Hash Brown Taco Salad
Taco Pinwheels
These easy taco pinwheels are made with ground beef, cream cheese, and with crescent rolls for a simple and delicious appetizer that everyone will love!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 10-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chilis
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 crescent roll dough sheets
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded taco blend cheese
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
Brown the ground beef in a large skillet with the onion.
When the meat is cooked through, add the tomatoes with green chilies, taco seasoning and water and stir to combine. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened.
Unroll one package of crescent roll dough on a lightly floured piece of parchment paper.
Spread half the cream cheese over the top of the dough and top with half the taco meat. Sprinkle half the shredded cheese over the top of the meat. Use your hand to lightly press all the ingredients into the cream cheese to make it easier to roll.
Roll the dough into a log, using the parchment paper to help lift the dough as you roll.
Cut the dough into eight one-inch slices and place the slices on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Repeat the above steps with the second roll of dough.
Bake the pinwheels for 10 to 13 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the dough is golden brown.
Serve with sour cream, salsa, or queso for dipping.
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