Mexican food recipes are always something I’m on the lookout for. Taco Meat Party Pinwheels are a yummy leftover taco meat recipe that my family flips for and they also make the perfect party food.

Taco Meat Tortilla Roll Ups Recipe – A Great Ground Beef Appetizer

Ground beef taco meat pinwheels ready to serve.

Howdy! Chef Alli Here. Let’s Get You Cookin’…. Shall We?? 🙂

Mexican party food. Those three words definitely go together, and we make a lot of it around here. Seems like we can never get enough Mexican food and if I made it for every meal, I don’t think my family would mind one bit.

Two of our favorite weeknight meals include Chicken and Bacon Black Bean Enchiladas and Betty’s Enchilada Bake (made with ground beef), but I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you about Beef and Cheese Mexican Sanchiladas, too.

And if you need a delicious margarita recipe, you absolutely have to try my favorite: Refreshing Pitcher Margaritas….made with a secret ingredient.

What to love about this Mexican pinwheel recipe

An easy-peasy recipe that everybody loves.
Such a great appetizer – make it fresh or use leftover taco meat.
Make them ahead and serve them when you’re ready.

Here are the ingredients you need to make ground beef tortilla roll ups

Ground beef
Tomato paste
Red enchilada sauce
Flour tortillas
Cream cheese
Sour cream
Your favorite taco seasoning blend (a packet or homemade)
Shredded cheddar cheese

How to make Taco Meat Party Pinwheels –

In a large skillet, add the tomato paste and 1 1/2 Tbs. of the taco seasoning to the cooked ground beef, stirring for 1-2 minutes, letting the tomato paste brown a bit as it cooks. Stir in the enchilada sauce, a little at a time, as needed to make a nice thick meat mixture; remove from the heat to cool slightly.

Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese with the sour cream and the remaining 1 1/2 Tbs. of the taco seasoning.

Spread the prepared cream cheese mixture over the tortillas, working one at a time. Next, top each tortilla with the prepared beef mixture, spreading it out evenly over the cream cheese layer; sprinkle with cheese, as desired.

Tightly roll up each tortilla. Using a sharp knife, trim off each end of the prepared tortilla roll, then slice each tortilla roll into pinwheels, placing them onto a serving platter. Serve at once, or cover the pinwheels with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve at a later time.

Meat and cheese pinwheels on a blue platter.

Answers to Common Questions Asked About This Recipe

Which tools are helpful for making pinwheels appetizers?

Heavy-bottomed skillet – I love my Lodge 12-inch cast iron skillet. It provides very even heat for cooking, creates superior browning, and can go from stove top to oven to the grill – it’s super versatile! And, because cast iron holds heat well, it’s great for serving dinner at the table family-style.

Ground meat crumbler/chopper– If you cook a lot of ground beef like we do, you definitely need a meat crumbler to make it fast and easy.

Silicone Spatula Spoons – Of all the tools in my kitchen, silicone spatula spoons are what I use the most. They make stirring and sautéing a breeze and I love all the pretty silicone colors available. Silicone spatula spoons are completely heat-proof so they won’t melt, even when used over high temperatures. I like to have different sizes on hand for different kitchen tasks – soooo handy!

Spreader – Icing spatulas are great for spreading the cream cheese mixture over the tortillas.

Can I use other types of ground meat in this taco meat recipe?

Absolutely. I often use venison (ground deer meat) and even ground turkey. Ground bison would also be good in this pinwheel recipe.

Can I make party pinwheels ahead of time?

Yep, and I do it all the time. Place the pinwheels onto a serving platter and cover tightly with plastic wrap – store in the fridge until ready to serve.

Can I freeze taco meat pinwheels?

You sure can. Once they are fully assembled and sliced, wrap them tightly in lots of plastic wrap, then place into a freezer bag and seal. The pinwheels can stay in the freezer for up to three months.
Place the pinwheels in a single layer on a platter and place into the fridge to thaw; serve when ready.

Should meat and cheese pinwheels be served chilled?

We think the Mexican flavors of the pinwheels are more prominent when they aren’t ice cold. However, be sure to practice good food safety since ground beef is involved – don’t let them sit out at room temperature for more than an hour or so, just to be safe.

A big serving platter with party pinwheels.

More Favorite Mexican Food Recipes to Enjoy –

Printable Taco Meat Party Pinwheels Recipe

Taco Meat Party Pinwheels

Mexican food recipes are always something I'm on the lookout for. Taco Meat Party Pinwheels are a yummy leftover taco meat recipe that my family flips for and they also make the perfect party food.

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 20

Cook Time: 0

Total Time: 20

Servings: 15 servings

Calories: 253kcal

Ingredients

2 lbs. ground beef, cooked and crumbled, fats drained well
3 Tbs. tomato paste
10 oz. can red enchilada sauce, we prefer mild
6 large flour tortillas, 12-inch, warm slightly
8 oz. cream cheese, softened (may use low fat cream cheese, if desired)
1/2 cup sour cream
2-3 Tbs. taco seasoning, packaged or homemade, divided use
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or Colby Jack cheese, as desired
salsa, for serving, as desired

Instructions

In a large skillet, add the tomato paste and 1 1/2 Tbs. of the taco seasoning to the cooked ground beef, stirring for 1-2 minutes, letting the tomato paste brown a bit as it cooks. Stir in the enchilada sauce, a little at a time, as needed to make a nice thick meat mixture; remove from the heat to cool slightly.
Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese with the sour cream and the remaining 1 1/2 Tbs. of the taco seasoning.
Spread the prepared cream cheese mixture over the tortillas, working one at a time. Next, top each tortilla with the prepared beef mixture, spreading it out evenly over the cream cheese layer; sprinkle with cheese, as desired.
Tightly roll up each tortilla. Using a sharp knife, trim off each end of the prepared tortilla roll, then slice each tortilla roll into pinwheels, placing them onto a serving platter.
Serve at once, or cover the pinwheels with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve at a later time.

Notes

**Be sure to check the blog post for lots of my favorite tips and tricks, specific instructions, recommended tools and FAQ’s for making this recipe.

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: easy party food, pinwheels, taco meat

Nutrition

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Let’s Get You Cookin’,
Chef Alli

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