Thank you Tillamook for sponsoring this post. For a limited time this fall, try Tillamook’s Extra Sharp White Cheddar Slices! Available at Costco.
These delicate roll-ups are the perfect accompaniment to your upcoming Fall gatherings. They are easy to make and elegant alongside any spread.
It’s a familiar scene. You’ve planned out an elaborate dinner party, invited all the familiar faces, and seemingly everything is going according to plan. The dinner turned out delicious, the guests were content and happy, and just as you sat down…everyone got up to leave.
It’s a situation I’ve put myself through more than once, and it’s the ‘problem’ where tackling today.
To start off, let’s begin with one of the best ways of actually pleasing your guests, and then work our way back from there. Simply put, few things are as foolproof for impressing guests as a well thought out, well presented, and of course delicious, appetizer spread. It’s the introduction to the main meal, and the ‘ice breaker’ for the event’s socialization. Whether it’s an elaborate antipasto that takes as much effort as the entrée, or simple ‘bites’ over drinks, this is perhaps the surest way of heightening your event’s atmosphere, while showing your guests that you really went the extra mile for their enjoyment.
Now, while I’ve covered the aforementioned antipastos before, just recently in fact, what about simpler alternatives? What about those times when want to put together something nice for your guests, but also want to actually ‘enjoy’ your guests company without having to stand for hours in the kitchen? That, of course, is where today’s appetizer spread comes in. Today’s Roll-Ups serves quite well during the fall, and even possibly as ‘cocktail’ bites for New Year’s, Halloween, or even Christmas Day parties. Delicious, fresh tasting, and looking like they took meticulous effort, these are crowd pleasers to the core – but are also a deceptively simple, time saving alternative to more elaborate antipasto recipes.
Now, to start things off, we begin with good quality cold cuts, and for the cheese I’ll be using Tillamook Extra Sharp White Cheddar Slices, which are conveniently available at Costco in two pound bags for a limited time this fall through November. Tillamook is my cheese of choice for this recipe for the simple reason that it’s made with just three simple ingredients before being aged, naturally, for fifteen months to achieve its signature sharpness and flavor – making it the perfect complement to my Cold Cut Roll-Ups.
From there, we begin with the Roast Beef Roll-Ups. To start, we lay out a slice of roast beef, top it with the Tillamook cheese, and then spread a whipped cream cheese over the cheese. In the center of the cream cheese we place a few fresh cilantro leaves, a bit of fresh dill, some green relish, and thin slices of fresh English cucumber. Then carefully roll the roast beef as depicted below, and secure it closed with a couple of toothpicks. Then slice the roll through the middle as pictured below, and then slice off the ‘rough’ ends on either side to achieve a clean, ‘crisp’ look as shown below.
We then do the same for the ham, layering on the Tillamook cheese followed by the whipped cream, but this time we use fresh basil, tomato relish, sliced avocado, and red onion. Then roll, secure with toothpicks, and slice as before.
Again, we follow the same process for the Turkey, layering on the Tillamook cheese followed by the whipped cream, but this time we use fresh chives, pimentos, green relish, and carrots. Then roll, secure it closed with toothpicks, and slice.
Meat and Cheese Roll-Ups
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Whipped cream cheese
- Tillamook Sharp Cheddar Cheese Slices
- ½ lb. sliced Roast Beef
- ½ lb. sliced Turkey Breast
- ½ lb. sliced Ham
- English cucumber – sliced into thin sticks
- Carrots – sliced into thin sticks
- Red onion – sliced into thin strips
- Avocado – sliced into strips
- Fresh cilantro – stems removed
- Fresh basil leaves – stems removed
- Fresh green onions – chopped
- Fresh dill
- Sliced pimentos
- Tomato Relish
- Green Pickle Relish
Instructions
Assembly:
- Place a slice of roast beef, top that with a slice of Tillamook Sharp Cheddar Cheese, spread the whipped cream cheese on the cheese.
- In the center of the cheese place a few fresh cilantro leaves, a bit of fresh dill, a bit of relish and fresh English cucumber. Place this along the center of the cheese, but do not overfill.
- Carefully roll the slice of roast beef and secure with a toothpick or two. Slice the roll in the middle and slice each end to make a nice smooth appearance.
- Continue this procedure with the rest of the cold cuts, alternating the cilantro leaves for the basil leaves and the fresh dill. Alternate the relish and the ingredients in the middle with the carrots, onions, cucumbers, etc..
- You are only limited by your imagination with these roll-ups; however, the whipped cream cheese must be over each slice of the Tillamook Cheddar Cheese to hold the ingredients in place.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4-6
And just like that, you’ve got a delicious, simple to assemble starter using only fresh, natural ingredients that your guests are sure to love thanks to Tillamook Extra Sharp White Cheddar Slices.
Enjoy with Love!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
angiesrecipes says
These rollups look so delicious..can’t go wrong with the combo of cheese and meat.
Madison Smith says
Incredible….this meat & cheese rollups looks soo good & more delicious, beautiful colored as well…this is perfect dish for holiday…..Thanks for sharing………!
Eva says
Sometimes the more simple foods may hide such richness one does not expect. Not just in terms of taste, as I’m sure these taste delicious, but also in terms of ingredients. You’ve packed them with lots of delicious flavours so they’re not *just* cheese and cold cuts.
All That I'm Eating says
You’ve crammed all sorts of different flavours into these roll ups, they sound great.
Claudia Lamascolo says
What a great idea! I know my family will love these and they are a perfect appetizer before my big Sunday dinners!!
Tatiana says
I will definitely make them for an upcoming party, as a delicious appetizer! What a crowd pleaser!
Mahy Elamin says
Great idea for appetizer. This recipe looks super easy and full of ingredients my family loves. Looking forward to trying soon. LOVE!
Dan Zehr says
Wow, these roll-ups are so cute! I would love to eat them for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Thank you for sharing this great recipe!
Michelle says
Such a great idea, everyone will love these. And less time in the kitchen, result!
Marisa Franca says
These are the type of appetizers our family loves. Simple meat and cheese that you can gobble up in no time. This gives my an idea for our next gathering.
Jenni LeBaron says
These look excellent for a party or even to just snack on on a regular day. I live in Oregon so I love Tillamook cheese – it’s a local favorite!
elcitrakale says
perfect for entertain the crowd. They are look scrumptious!
Veena Azmanov says
How pretty and delicious these look – perfect when you have kids over. My son is always having his friends over and those 11-year-olds are always eager for snacks.
DAVID J MYERS says
Catherine, While all of the ingredients for these roll-ups aren’t on my favorites list, I love the idea and we’ll put together some of your version for my wife and some of mine, only different. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Kylee from Kylee Cooks says
Tillamook is such an amazing producer of cheese – I’ve never met a cheese of theirs I didn’t like. Great use of such a yummy product!
Maria says
It’s always good to have go-to recipes for impressing guests!
Kristen King says
Your photos…I can’t even! They are so beautiful! I am going to look for this cheese next time I’m there. Wonderful recipe!
Alexis says
My family would love these roll-ups on a relaxing weekend afternoon. Going to put this on our meal plan for sure!
Karyl Henry says
Simple appetizers are the best! I also love to discover new cheeses and new cheese brands. I’ve never tried Tillamook before, but it’s now on my list
Emily Leary says
Great idea to use meat slices instead of tortilla wraps! Awesome appetiser idea for the festive season.
Nicole says
I had these so many times at parties and they are the perfect appetizer. Thank you for sharing how to actually make them!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme says
Wow these roll ups look so good! They will make the perfect appy at my new years party. Pinned!
Jordan says
Oh my gosh! These would be such a huge hit on game day, holidays, and dinner nights with friends. I love appetizers like this and Tillamook is AMAZING!
Natalie says
What a fun and delicious looking appetizer. I bet my guest will love this! Saving this recipe for my next party. These goes sooo good with glass of wine, right?!
Alice Beef says
Your recipe is really the amazing for me when i am looking for the recipes for my family in the end of weekend. The taste is so good and the image is too. All of them love it. Thank you so much for your creative and sharing.
KGL Staff says
your recipes continue to amaze me and have become favorites in our household.