Italian Sandwich Roll-Ups – Easy No-Cook Party Appetizer

If you need a quick, colorful, no-cook appetizer that always gets attention, these Italian Sandwich Roll-Ups are the perfect solution. They’re fresh, flavorful, and easy to assemble, making them ideal for parties, school lunches, meal prep, or casual snacking. Each roll is layered with creamy herbed cheese, savory deli meats, crisp lettuce, provolone, and bright peppers—all wrapped tightly in a soft tortilla and sliced into bite-size pinwheels.

Italian sandwich roll-ups sliced into pinwheels arranged on a platter with colorful vegetables.

They look impressive on a platter but require almost no effort, which makes them a go-to option for last-minute gatherings. You can prepare the rolls ahead, chill them, and slice just before serving so they hold their shape beautifully. They’re versatile, customizable, and crowd-pleasing, whether you’re hosting game day, packing lunchboxes, or building a party board. With vibrant colors and well-balanced flavors, these roll-ups deliver convenience AND presentation—without using the stove.

Why This Italian Sandwich Roll-Ups Recipe Works

No Cooking Required: Just layer, roll, and slice.
Balanced Flavors & Textures: Creamy cheese, savory meats, crisp vegetables, and soft tortillas.
Customizable: Swap ingredients to match dietary preferences.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Keep in the fridge and slice before serving.
Versatile: Perfect for picnics, school lunches, or party platters.

Ingredients (Makes 8 Roll-Ups / 32 Pinwheels)

8 large flour tortillas
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
24 slices Genoa salami
24 slices deli ham
Pepperoni slices (1 pack)
16 slices provolone cheese
1 head lettuce, washed and separated
2 large tomatoes, thinly sliced
¼ cup banana peppers, chopped
¼ cup roasted red peppers, chopped

Tools Needed: Cutting board, sharp knife, mixing bowl, spatula.

Before you begin: Pat the lettuce completely dry and prepare all ingredients. Because this is a no-cook recipe using deli meats and cream cheese, keep everything refrigerated until assembly. Assemble shortly before serving and do not leave roll-ups at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Mix the Spread

Combine softened cream cheese with Italian seasoning in a bowl until smooth.

2. Assemble the Base

Lay a tortilla flat. Spread 1–2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture evenly.

3. Layer the Fillings

Add lettuce leaves.
Sprinkle banana peppers and roasted red peppers.
Layer 3 slices each of salami and ham, followed by pepperoni.
Place 2 slices of provolone cheese and a few tomato slices on top.

4. Roll and Seal

Roll tightly into a log. Fold ends slightly to secure fillings.

5. Slice into Pinwheels

Use a sharp knife to cut each roll into 4–5 slices.

6. Chill (Optional)

Refrigerate for 30 minutes before slicing to help them hold their shape.

Tortilla layered with cream cheese, deli meats, lettuce, and peppers being rolled tightly.

How to Serve

Party Platter: Arrange pinwheels on a tray with fresh herbs.
With Dips: Serve with marinara, ranch, or hummus.
Lunchboxes: Pack alongside veggie sticks or fruit.
Picnics: Wrap individually for grab-and-go snacks.

Storage & Make-Ahead Tips

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 24 hours.
Make-Ahead: Assemble rolls and chill, but slice just before serving to maintain structure.
Freezing: Not recommended. Cream cheese and fresh vegetables lose texture after thawing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overfilling → Difficult to roll and messy.
Stale tortillas → Crack easily; always use soft tortillas.
Skipping chill time → Pinwheels fall apart.
Uneven spread → Flavor inconsistent.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are Italian Sandwich Roll-Ups?
No-cook tortillas filled with cream cheese, deli meats, cheese, and vegetables, sliced into pinwheels.

2. Can I make them ahead of time?
Yes, up to 24 hours. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate before slicing.

3. Best tortillas to use?
Soft flour tortillas for easy rolling. Avoid stale or thin tortillas.

4. Vegetarian option?
Replace meats with roasted veggies, hummus, or extra cheese.

5. Do they need refrigeration?
Yes, to keep cream cheese fresh and prevent sogginess.

6. How long do leftovers last?
Up to 1 day in an airtight container.

7. Can I freeze them?
Not recommended; cream cheese and veggies don’t freeze well.

8. Good dips?
Marinara, ranch, or garlic aioli.

9. Prevent roll-ups from falling apart?
Do not overfill and chill rolls for 30 minutes before slicing.

10. Can I use other wraps?
Yes, spinach, tomato wraps, or lavash work well.

Conclusion:

Italian Sandwich Roll-Ups are a quick, no-cook solution for parties, snacks, or lunchboxes, combining creamy cheese, savory deli meats, and fresh vegetables in soft tortillas. Their bite-sized pinwheel format makes them visually appealing and perfect for entertaining or on-the-go meals. Fully customizable, you can swap meats, cheeses, or add vegetables to suit any preference. With minimal prep and optional make-ahead chilling, they’re stress-free, versatile, and crowd-pleasing. Easy to store, simple to serve, and packed with balanced flavors, these roll-ups offer a convenient, flavorful, and fun way to enjoy a classic Italian-inspired snack anytime.

Close-up of a single Italian sandwich pinwheel showing layered meats, cheese, and colorful vegetables

Recipe Card

Italian Sandwich Roll-Ups (Easy No-Cook Party Appetizer)
Author: Isaac Blogger
Course: Appetizer / Snack
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Method: No-Cook
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 8 roll-ups (about 32 pinwheels)

Before You Begin

Pat lettuce dry and prep all ingredients. Because this is a no-cook recipe, keep the roll-ups refrigerated until ready to serve. Do not leave them at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Ingredients

8 large flour tortillas

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1 tbsp Italian seasoning

24 slices Genoa salami

24 slices deli ham

Pepperoni slices (1 pack)

16 slices provolone cheese

1 head lettuce, washed and separated

2 large tomatoes, thinly sliced

¼ cup banana peppers, chopped

¼ cup roasted red peppers, chopped