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Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

By Natalie Monson

Published on August 21, 2023

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These simple Ham and Cheese Pinwheels are filling, nutritious, and just plain yummy! They are satisfying enough for the adults in the house, but approachable enough for the kiddos. They are perfect for packed lunches!

Ham and cheese pinwheels with lettuce and tomato on a grey plate.

Easy & Delicious Packable Lunch Recipe

I love a recipe that is delicious and satisfying for me, but still approachable enough for my kids. It can be a tricky balance! But when I find one, you can believe that it goes into our permanent recipe rotation. These Ham and Cheese Pinwheels fit the bill. Easy, filling, and just plain yummy. It’s also customizable, can be made ahead, and is perfect for packed lunches. They also make a great snack or easy appetizer recipe! So let’s get to it, shall we?

Ham and cheese rolled into a tortilla and sliced into pinwheels.

Ingredients You Need to Make These Ham and Cheese Pinwheels:

Tortillas– We used regular flour tortillas, but spinach or herb tortillas are tasty here too! 8-10 inch sized tortillas pare perfect.
Ham– We used thinly sliced deli ham.
Cheese– You can really use any cheese you like here. We used Muenster.
Tomatoes– Optional, but delicious!
Lettuce– We used green leaf lettuce.
Cream Cheese– Adds a great creaminess and helps hold your wraps together.
Mustard– We used regular yellow mustard. Dijon mustard is also good!

Ingredients you need to make ham and cheese pinwheels.

How to Make Easy Ham and Cheese Pinwheels:

Make the spread. In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese and mustard. Stir well to combine.
Layer your wraps. Spread each tortilla with a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture. Top with lettuce, cheese, ham, and tomato slices.
Create your pinwheels. Roll up tightly, place seam side down, and use a serrated knife to cut into 1″ slices to create pinwheels. Serve immediately or pack into lunches!

Process shots showing how to make ham and cheese pinwheels.

Tips & Suggestions:

How do I keep my pinwheels from getting soggy?

Pinwheels can get soggy if there is too much moisture or if you put the wet ingredients directly on the tortilla. You want to avoid using thin sauces. The cream cheese mixture in these roll ups creates a barrier that helps prevent them from getting too soggy.

Can pinwheels be made the night before?

Yes! After you make your pinwheels, wrap in plastic wrap to keep it rolled up tightly and store in the refrigerator. You can make them up to 2 days in advance. Slice before serving.

Variations:

Flavor Boost: For zesty flavor, add ranch seasoning mix to the cream cheese mixture.
Cheese Swap: Replace the muenster cheese with monterey jack, swiss, gouda, or cheddar cheese.
Vegetarian: Go meatless! Add extra veggies like carrots or bell peppers.
Skip the Tortilla: Wrap the cheese and veggies in ham slices for a gluten-free option!
Swap the Meat: Use sliced turkey, roast beef, or even bacon slices instead of the ham.
A Touch of Sweetness: Add a teaspoon of brown sugar or honey to the cream cheese mixture. Yum!
Sandwich Time: Swap the tortilla for bread to make a yummy ham and cheese sandwich.

Ham and cheese pinwheels stacked on a plate.

More Tasty Wrap Recipes to Try:

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