Beef Pinwheels
Beef Pinwheels bring a touch of elegance and fun to your dinner table. Made with a savory blend of ground beef, ham, and two kinds of cheese, these delicious pinwheels are as impressive in presentation as they are in taste. Whether you’re hosting a family dinner or entertaining guests, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to prepare. Pair these pinwheels with marinara sauce and mashed potatoes for a comforting meal that’s sure to satisfy.
This recipe comes from Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nillson. Holly is a good friend of mine, and she’s the founder of the Spend with Pennies website. She’s an expert in creating simple, comfort, homestyle recipes that you’ll want to make again and again, and the recipes are so easy to follow.
Beef Pinwheels
We so enjoyed this beef recipe, served with mashed potatoes. Our guests loved it, too. This will be a wonderful dish to make this holiday season coming up, because it’s unique, festive, and look how pretty these little pinwheels are!
Read more: Beef Pinwheels
Why I love this recipe
- The pinwheel shape is aesthetically pleasing and adds an impressive touch that guests will love.
- Easy to make and you can prep these rolls in advance, making dinner stress-free.
- Delicious with mashed potatoes–a true comfort meal that everyone will enjoy!
Gather these ingredients
- Eggs
- Seasoned bread crumbs
- Marinara sauce
- Parsley – fresh, chopped
- Garlic – minced
- Oregano – dried
- Basil – dried
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Ground beef
- Ham – sliced
- Mozzarella cheese – shredded
- Parmesan cheese – shredded
How to make Beef Pinwheels
- Combine (in a medium bowl) the eggs, bread crumbs, marinara sauce, parsley, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Add the ground beef and gently mix just until combined.
- Place half the beef mixture on a sheet of plastic wrap and press it into a 12×8 inch rectangle.
- Layer the ham on the beef, leaving a 1-inch space on the short end, and sprinkle with the mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Starting with the short end, roll the meat as you would a jelly roll to create a log that is 8 inches across.
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, twisting the ends of the wrap to seal.
- Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- Repeat for the second half of the meat mixture, to make 8 pinwheels.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
How to prepare and roll the pinwheels
- Cut the roll (using a serrated knife) into four pinwheels, each 2 inches wide. Do this for both rolls to make 8 pinwheels. Place the pinwheels cut side up on the prepared baking sheet, and seal the pinched edge of the roll with a toothpick.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the center of each roll reaches an internal temp of 160 degrees F. Remove the toothpick and discard before serving.
Tips & substitutions
- Ensure the seam is well sealed and secure each edge with a toothpick to prevent the rolls from unwrapping during baking.
- If any rolls do start to unravel in the oven, immediately squeeze them back together with tongs once removed from the oven (while still warm).
- For a saucier option, you can bake these in a 9×13 inch pan with 1 and ½ cups of marinara sauce spread out on the bottom of the pan. Increase the cooking time to 28-32 minutes.
- If you prefer, swap out the ground beef for ground turkey (might be slightly more watery).
Serving suggestions
These Beef Pinwheels pair wonderfully with a crisp Caesar salad, creamy mashed potatoes, and buttery garlic bread for a well-rounded comfort meal.
Storage
Store leftover pinwheels in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Everyday Comfort Cookbook
This is a cookbook that you will want to have in your kitchen, for quick dinner inspiration and easy entertaining ideas.
Here are a few recipes from the book that I’d like to make:
- Cozy Chicken, Mushroom & Rice Soup
- Cowboy Chopped Chicken Salad
- Beefed up Busy Day Lasagna
- Melty French Onion Meatballs
- Creamy Clam Chowder with Mini Cheddar Biscuits
- Rustic Beef & Veggie Pot Pie
- Schnitzel Burgers
- Sheet Pan Cheeseburgers
- Hasselback Chicken Cordon Bleu
- Cheesy Ratatouille Roll-Ups
Check out these other homestyle comfort dishes while you’re here
- Chicken Pot Pie with Cheesy Drop Biscuits
- Smoker Macaroni and Cheese
- Bacon Wrapped Turkey Meatloaf
- Easy Beef Enchiladas
Get the Recipe:
Beef Pinwheels
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- ⅔ cup seasoned bread crumbs
- ½ cup marinara sauce
- 4 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley + some for a sprinkle of garnish, like pic
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 6 oz thinly sliced ham, deli meat
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 4 Tbsp shredded Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the egg, bread crumbs, marinara sauce, parsley, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Add the ground beef and gently mix just until combined.
- Place half the beef mixture on a sheet of plastic wrap and press it into a 12×8-inch rectangle. Layer the ham on the beef, leaving a 1-inch space on the short end, and sprinkle with the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Starting with the short end, roll the meat as you would a jelly roll to create a log that is 8-inches across. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, twisting the ends of the wrap to seal, and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- Repeat for the second half of the meat mixture, to make 8 pinwheels.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Using a serrated knife, cut the roll into four pinwheels, each 2 inches wide. Do this for both rolls to make 8 pinwheels. Place the pinwheels cut side up on the prepared baking sheet, and seal the pinched edge of the roll with a toothpick.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the center of each roll reaches an internal temp of 160 F. Remove the toothpick and discard before serving.
- Serve with mashed potatoes and more marinara sauce!
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
