Snack Taco Pinwheels
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 64 pinwheels
Description
These taco pinwheels are a delightful party snack, featuring a savory blend of seasoned meat, cheese, and fresh toppings rolled in soft tortillas.
Ingredients
- 8 (10-inch) soft flour tortilla shells
- 1 lb (450 g) lean ground meat (turkey, chicken, or beef will all work well)
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (16 oz / 450 g) jar Pace Picante Sauce
- 3 oz (85 g) tomato paste
- 1/2 TB cornstarch
- 1 tsp each cumin & chili powder
- 1/2 tsp each salt, garlic powder, & oregano
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 8 oz (225 g) Neufchatel cheese
- 2 c (480 ml) pre-shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
- Frilled toothpicks to hold the pinwheels together
Instructions
For the Meat
- In a large skillet, brown the ground meat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks, and drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté over medium to medium-high heat until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add 1/2 jar of Pace Picante Sauce, 1 cup water, the tomato paste, all the spices (cumin, chili powder, salt, garlic powder, and oregano), and the black pepper and cornstarch; bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has evaporated and the mixture is thick, about 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and let the meat mixture cool to at least room temperature before assembling the pinwheels.
For the Cheese Mixture
- In a bowl, mix together the Neufchatel cheese and the remaining 1/2 jar of Pace Picante Sauce; stir in the shredded cheddar cheese.
Assembly
- On each tortilla shell, evenly spread about 1/2 cup of the meat mixture, then spread about 1/3 cup of the cheese mixture on top of the meat, and sprinkle with shredded lettuce.
- Tightly roll up each tortilla; trim off the ends and slice each into 8 rounds. Secure each pinwheel round with a toothpick.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, use hot Pace Picante Sauce.
- These pinwheels can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- To keep them fresh, wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
- You can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream for a lighter option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pinwheel
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 15
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 7
- Cholesterol: 20
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can these pinwheels be made ahead of time?
Yes — make them a day in advance. After rolling the tortillas into logs, wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Slice into 1-inch pinwheels only when you are ready to serve so the cut ends stay fresh.
Why does the recipe call for Neufchatel cheese alongside the shredded cheddar?
The Neufchatel isn’t a separate spread on its own — it’s mixed with half the jar of Pace Picante Sauce, then the shredded cheddar is stirred in to make one combined cheese mixture. That mixture gets spread on top of the meat layer on each tortilla, so the Neufchatel and cheddar work together as the creamy binder that helps the pinwheels hold together when sliced.
What protein options work in place of ground beef?
I call for 1 lb lean ground meat and turkey, chicken, or beef all work well — any of the three can be used interchangeably.
