Taco Pinwheels

Are you looking for a super fun and delicious spin on Taco Tuesday? This is where Taco Pinwheels are going to steal the show! Not only is every bite loaded with that delicious taco flavor, but it’s paired with the perfect chew of warm and flaky dough! This snack recipe really is the perfect appetizer!

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SIMPLE AND EASY RECIPE FOR TACO PINWHEELS

Some people call them Mexican Pinwheels or Taco Roll Ups…whatever you call them, they are easy to make! I’m all about simplicity when I’m cooking in the kitchen and what I love about this recipe is that it uses simple steps that anyone can follow. Whether you’re a kitchen beginner or a novice chef, these taco roll ups will taste like a pro made them! 

TRY SOME OF MY OTHER TACO RECIPES:

It’s always time for tacos. Always. Everyone in my house loves eating tacos in all different ways. Some of my other favorite taco recipes and dishes are: Layered Taco Pie, Chicken Fajita Crunch Wrap, Frito Chili Pie

Don’t forget to make my copycat Taco Bell Creamy Jalapeno Sauce, too! It’s perfect for dipping! (pictured directly below)

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WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE

• It’s easier to eat than tacos! You won’t have to worry about any of that goodness falling out!
• These Mexican pinwheels are so versatile. They’re great for appetizers or can totally be a meal as well. 
• The fluffy texture paired with the taco flavor will have your tastebuds active and craving more! 
• The simple ingredients also make this great for an after-school snack, perfect for school lunches, and a great way to make simple dinners and easy lunches.

INGREDIENTS USED

• Ground beef
• Rotel
• Garlic
• Chili powder
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cumin 
• Onion powder
• Oregano
• Paprika
• Pizza dough
• Cheese

*see recipe card for detailed measurements

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KITCHEN SUPPLIES YOU’LL NEED

• Skillet
• Wooden spoon
• Rolling pin
• Serrated knife
• Baking sheet
• Cooking spray

HOW TO MAKE TACO PINWHEELS

1. Preheat the oven. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Add nonstick spray to a baking sheet. 

2. Cook the ground beef. Add the ground beef to a skillet set to medium-high heat. Break up the ground beef using the wooden spoon so that it cooks all the way through evenly. Cook until there is no pink left in the beef. 

3. Drain the grease. Depending on the fat content of the beef, the amount of grease will vary. Drain off any excess grease. 

4. Add the seasonings. Add all the spices into the skillet, followed by the Rotel. Combine with the meat and heat through. This will take about 3-4 minutes of time. Once that time has passed, remove it from the heat and let it set. 

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5. Prep the dough. Since you’re using premade dough, all you have to do is unwrap on a flat surface. Do your best to shape it into a large rectangle. If possible, you’re going to want it to be about 18 inches long. Have the long edge of the dough rectangle parallel to the edge of your counter. 

6. Add the meat mixture. Put the meat mixture onto the pizza dough and spread it out evenly. Once it’s spread, sprinkle the cheese evenly all over the top. 

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7. Roll the dough. Begin at the edge of the dough that is closest to you and start to roll. (Think cinnamon rolls rolling for the look and style that you’re going for) Roll it tightly and make sure that you seal all the edges well. 

8. Cut into slices. Using a serrated knife is important! Cut as evenly as possible in 1-inch pinwheels. (if the knife gets covered with ingredients, just wipe it clean using a paper towel) 

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9. Add to the baking sheet. Once the pinwheels are cut, add them to the baking sheet. Be sure to leave a bit of space between them so that they have room to grow in the oven. 

10. Bake the pinwheels. Let the pinwheels bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes. Once the pinwheels are golden-brown, they’re ready to be removed. 

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11. Serve. Get ready to treat yourself! These taco pinwheels are best enjoyed hot and fresh, so add any garnishes that you’d like (hello hot sauce!) and enjoy. 

HELPFUL TIPS & TRICKS

• To save on time, you can easily use store-bought taco seasoning as well. Do whatever works best for you! 
• If you’re worried about getting a good seal around the edges of the dough, you can use a fork and push down lightly around the edges. The design on the fork will show you if you’ve missed any spots! 
• If little ones are eating this recipe, just know that the ingredients inside the dough will be hot. Give them a heads up or have them be patient to let it cool. 
• You can cut down some of the fat content in these taco pinwheel appetizers by using lean ground beef. You’ll also find that after you brown beef that is lean, you’ll have way less grease to drain off.

SUBSTITUTIONS AND VARIATIONS

• Change up the cheese – More cheese, please! The great part about this taco pinwheels recipe is that you can change up the flavor by changing up the type of shredded cheese. Cheddar cheese is great but you can use pepper jack or any other flavor.
• Use different types of dough – Any type of refrigerated dough will be awesome. You can even use a crescent roll dough to have more of a flakey texture and taste. 
• Can I make this taco recipe without meat? Yes, you can. Just leave out the meat and add in vegetables instead! 
• What can I use in place of garlic cloves? If you don’t have cloves of garlic, you can use 1/4 tsp of garlic powder instead. Easy recipes are the best to navigate and change!

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STORAGE NOTES

Storing taco pinwheels with meat is simple to do. Just put them in the fridge in an airtight container, and they should last for 2-3 days. You can also put them in the freezer for up to 2 months.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I prep this taco pinwheel appetizer ahead of time? 

Yes, you can! Make up the pinwheels entirely, and then cover them with saran wrap and store them in the fridge. You can also make them and freeze them for up to 2 months. The taco flavors still taste awesome even after being frozen.

What can I use instead of puff pastry? 

You can use any type of dough that you want. Crescent roll doll and even flaky biscuit dough rolled out would be great. It’s your taco dinner. Make it so you love it.

What is the best way to reheat this taco pinwheels recipe? 

Reheating is a breeze! Just put them back onto a baking tray and heat them at 350 degrees in the oven. You just need to warm them up to be heated all the way through. For best results, stay close and keep an eye on the baking trays. You don’t want these easy cheesy taco pinwheels to burn while reheating. Or if you have an air fryer and only want to reheat a few at a time you can cook at 350 degrees for 5 minutes.

What fun toppings could you serve with this taco pinwheel recipe?

If you’re a fan of toppings, add some! You can put some taco sauce, sour cream, salsa, black olives, or even some diced jalapenos!

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If you’ve made this recipe or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how they turned out. We love hearing from you! You can also follow along with me on FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM to see more colorful recipes!