By Becky Hardin
Published Mar 3, 2019
Mexican Pinwheels are a super simple and super tasty appetizer for any occasion. These sausage pinwheels are easy to make, require hardly any work at all, and have all my favorite Mexican-inspired flavors in one bite. Just as easy as any tortilla roll ups appetizer!
Why We Love This Mexican Pinwheel Recipe
I love pretty much anything with Mexican-inspired flavors and ingredients, so these Mexican roll ups are exactly my kind of appetizer. Not to mention the fact that they are super easy and quick to make! You can prepare about four dozen of these bite-sized pinwheels in 15-20 minutes, then just let them chill out in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve them.
- Easy. These little pinwheels are great when you need to bring a dish to a party because you don’t have to deal with the hassle of cooking and reheating.
- Make Ahead. We definitely recommend preparing them up to 24 hours in advance and then just letting them sit in the fridge until you’re ready to serve them.
- Flavorful. These sausage pinwheels are filled with sausage, cream cheese, green chilies, green onions, cheese, sour cream, and so much more. All the best Mexican ingredients in one simple bite!
Variations on Sausage Pinwheels
You can change up the flavor of these Mexican pinwheels by using different types of sausages, like hot or sweet Italian sausage. Ground beef is also a great choice. You can also try different types of tortillas, like whole wheat or chili lime. Yum!
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover Mexican Pinwheels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days (although they are best if eaten within 2 days). If you haven’t sliced the tortilla rolls yet, keep them whole, and wrap them in plastic wrap.
How to Freeze
Wrap rolls tightly in a double layer of plastic wrap, and place in a freezer-safe resealable bag. Freeze for up to 1 month. Let them thaw in the fridge before serving.
Serving Suggestions
These cream cheese and sausage pinwheels are sure to be a huge hit at any party! I love these for New Year’s Eve appetizers , game day, and holidays. I love serving these Mexican roll ups with salsa or sour cream for dipping!
As long as you eat these within 2-3 days, there shouldn’t be any issues with sogginess. The fresher they are when you serve them, the better.
I recommend refrigerating the roll ups for 4 hours before slicing. Chilling helps meld the ingredients together so they don’t fall apart after cutting.
These Mexican pinwheels are best served cold.
Yes. These are great to make the night before serving, and can be made up to 2 days ahead of time.
More Pinwheel Recipes To Try
- Ham and Cheese Pinwheels
- Jalapeno Popper Pinwheels
- Pepperoni Pizza Pinwheels
5-Star Review
“Such an easy and delicious appetizer! Always gone so fast!” -Taylor
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ ½ pound chorizo sausage cooked and crumbled
- ▢ 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature (1 brick)
- ▢ ½ cup sour cream
- ▢ ¼ cup salsa or picante sauce
- ▢ 1 lime juiced
- ▢ 1 ounce taco seasoning (click for recipe)
- ▢ 4.5 ounces chopped ripe olives drained (1 can)
- ▢ 4 ounces chopped mild green chilies drained (1 can)
- ▢ 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ▢ ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions
- ▢ 8 (10-inch) flour tortillas
Video
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer to beat together the cream cheese, sour cream, salsa/picante sauce, juice of 1 lime, and taco seasoning until smooth. 8 ounces cream cheese, ½ cup sour cream, ¼ cup salsa, 1 lime, 1 ounce taco seasoning
- Add in the olives, green chilies, cheese, green onions, and cooked sausage. Mix well. ½ pound chorizo sausage, 4.5 ounces chopped ripe olives, 4 ounces chopped mild green chilies, 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions
- With an offset spatula, spread about ½ cup of filling to within ½-inch of each edge of the tortillas. 8 (10-inch) flour tortillas
- Tightly roll up each tortilla, wrap it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Cut into 1-inch slices and serve with sides of red and green salsa.
Equipment
- Hand Mixer
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Mexican Pinwheels Step by Step
Beat the Filling: In a medium bowl, beat together 8 ounces (1 brick) of cream cheese, ½ cup of sour cream, ¼ cup of salsa/picante sauce, the juice of 1 lime, and 1 ounce of taco seasoning until smooth.
Add the Mix-Ins: Add in 4.5 ounces (1 can) of chopped ripe olives, 4 ounces (1 can) of chopped green mild chilies, 1 cup of freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, ¼ cup of thinly sliced green onions, and ½ pound of cooked chorizo sausage. Mix well.
Spread the Filling: With an offset spatula, spread about ½ cup of filling to within ½-inch of each edge of the 8 tortillas.
Roll the Tortillas: Tightly roll up each tortilla, wrap it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Cut the Pinwheels: Cut into 1-inch slices and serve with sides of red and green salsa.
Mexican Pinwheel Recipe
Equipment
- Hand Mixer
Ingredients
- ½ pound chorizo sausage cooked and crumbled
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature (1 brick)
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup salsa or picante sauce
- 1 lime juiced
- 1 ounce taco seasoning (click for recipe)
- 4.5 ounces chopped ripe olives drained (1 can)
- 4 ounces chopped mild green chilies drained (1 can)
- 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions
- 8 (10-inch) flour tortillas
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer to beat together the cream cheese, sour cream, salsa/picante sauce, juice of 1 lime, and taco seasoning until smooth. 8 ounces cream cheese, ½ cup sour cream, ¼ cup salsa, 1 lime, 1 ounce taco seasoning
- Add in the olives, green chilies, cheese, green onions, and cooked sausage. Mix well. ½ pound chorizo sausage, 4.5 ounces chopped ripe olives, 4 ounces chopped mild green chilies, 1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions
- With an offset spatula, spread about ½ cup of filling to within ½-inch of each edge of the tortillas. 8 (10-inch) flour tortillas
- Tightly roll up each tortilla, wrap it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Cut into 1-inch slices and serve with sides of red and green salsa.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
