Description
These Cheesy Taco Pinwheels are a delicious and crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for parties and game days. Ground beef seasoned with taco spices, combined with salsa and melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, is rolled inside crescent or pizza dough and baked to golden perfection. Serve warm topped with cilantro, sour cream, or jalapeño slices for an irresistible Mexican-inspired snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/2 cup salsa
Cheese & Dough
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 (8-ounce) can refrigerated crescent roll dough or pizza dough
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Optional Toppings
- Chopped cilantro
- Sour cream
- Jalapeño slices
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare skillet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Cook ground beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it’s fully browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat from the pan for a leaner filling.
- Season and simmer: Stir in the taco seasoning and water into the beef, letting it simmer for 2–3 minutes to absorb flavors. Then, mix in the salsa and remove from heat, allowing the mixture to cool slightly before assembling.
- Prepare dough: Unroll the crescent or pizza dough on a lightly floured surface and gently press it into a rectangular shape to create an even base for the filling.
- Assemble pinwheels: Evenly spread the seasoned beef mixture over the dough, then sprinkle the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses on top.
- Roll and slice: Starting from the long edge of the dough, tightly roll the dough into a log. Slice this log into 1-inch thick pinwheels and place them cut side up on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
- Brush with olive oil: Lightly brush the tops of each pinwheel with olive oil to help them brown beautifully while baking.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the pinwheels for 12–15 minutes or until they are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly.
- Serve: Allow the pinwheels to cool slightly before serving. Optionally garnish with chopped cilantro, sour cream, and jalapeño slices for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- These pinwheels make excellent party or game day snacks.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter variation.
- Prepare the rolled log ahead of time, refrigerate, then slice and bake just before serving for convenience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
