Description
The ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer, combining flaky, buttery puff pastry with bold taco flavors. Each golden spiral is filled with seasoned ground beef and a bubbling Mexican cheese blend, perfect for game days or quick snacks.
Ingredients
For the Taco Filling
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 10 oz can Rotel (undrained)
- 1 tsp minced garlic, 1 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp each: black pepper, cumin, onion powder
- 1/4 tsp each: dried oregano, paprika
For the Pastry & Assembly
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed but cold)
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- Optional: lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, salsa
Instructions
Filling: Brown and crumble ground beef; drain grease. Stir in garlic, spices, and undrained Rotel. Simmer 3–4 mins until liquid reduces. Let cool slightly.
Roll: On a floured surface, unroll puff pastry and press into an 18-inch rectangle.
Assemble: Spread beef evenly over pastry; top with cheese. Roll up tightly into a log starting from the long edge.
Slice: Use a serrated knife to cut into 1-inch slices. Place on a greased baking sheet 1 inch apart.
Bake: Bake at 375°F for 10–12 mins until puffed and deep golden brown. Serve hot with toppings.
Notes
Don’t Drain the Rotel: The juices are essential to bloom the dry spices and keep the beef moist during high-heat baking.
Keep it Cold: If the pastry gets too soft, pop it in the freezer for 5 mins before slicing; cold butter is what makes it ‘puff’.
Serrated Knife Tip: Use a sawing motion to slice the log without squashing the delicate layers of the puff pastry.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Appetizer / Snack
- Method: Baking / Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 pinwheels
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 540
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 10
- Cholesterol: 35
Keywords: taco pinwheels, puff pastry appetizers, easy game day snacks, mexican pinwheels, ground beef pastry bites