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Close-up of Turkey Pesto Tortilla Roll Ups sliced into spirals, showing layers of turkey, green pesto, and lettuce.
Maryam

Turkey Pesto Tortilla Roll Ups

Creamy pesto, smoky turkey, and fresh veggies rolled into perfect bite-sized pinwheels for effortless entertaining.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Appetizer, lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 285

Ingredients
  

For the Roll Ups
  • 4 large flour tortillas burrito size, about 10 inches
  • 8 oz cream cheese softened
  • 0.5 cup prepared basil pesto refrigerated or homemade
  • 0.75 lb deli-sliced roasted turkey breast thinly sliced
  • 2 cups baby spinach leaves packed, stems removed
  • 0.5 cup roasted red peppers jarred, drained and diced
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese low-moisture, part-skim

Equipment

  • Sharp Chef's Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Offset spatula or butter knife

Method
 

Prep
  1. In a small bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and pesto until completely smooth and uniform in color. This prevents streaky bites and helps the spread adhere evenly.
  2. Lay the tortillas on your work surface. If they feel stiff, microwave them uncovered for 10-15 seconds until pliable - this prevents cracking when you roll.
  3. Divide the cream cheese mixture evenly among the tortillas, spreading it edge to edge with an offset spatula. Layer on the turkey, overlapping slices slightly, then scatter spinach leaves, roasted red peppers, and mozzarella evenly across each tortilla.
  4. Starting from the edge closest to you, roll each tortilla away from you as tightly as possible without squeezing out the filling. Apply gentle, even pressure - the cream cheese acts as glue to hold everything together.
  5. Transfer the rolls seam-side down to a plate and refrigerate uncovered for at least 15 minutes (or wrap tightly and chill up to 24 hours). Using a sharp chef's knife, slice each roll into 6 even pieces, wiping the blade clean between cuts for neat pinwheels.

Notes

For the cleanest cuts, chill the rolls thoroughly - a warm roll will squish and unravel. Swap the turkey for rotisserie chicken or omit it for a vegetarian version. These keep beautifully for up to 2 days wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, making them ideal for meal prep or party planning.