Nonna Rosa used to make something similar with leftover focaccia, pressing it thin and topping it with tomato and cheese. This version, using tortillas, is a little closer to what kids expect from pizza, and it’s a quick solution for lunch or an after-school snack. They’re adaptable, too. You can swap out cheeses or add in a finely diced vegetable if you’re feeling ambitious.
These easy kids lunch pizza roll ups come together quickly, which is important when you have hungry little ones. The tortillas hold up well during baking; I usually use Mission brand flour tortillas, the 8-inch size, and they roll without tearing. It’s a convenient way to get a pizza-like meal on the table without much fuss, and they tend to disappear fast.
Dairy and Cheese
You’ll need a block of softened cream cheese for the base. For the topping, shredded mozzarella, cheddar, and a bit of grated Parmesan offer a good balance of melt and flavor.
Pantry Staples
Keep a good quality pizza sauce on hand. Italian seasoning and garlic powder round out the flavors in the cream cheese mixture, providing that familiar pizza taste.
Wraps and Finishing
Flour tortillas are essential for rolling. The 8-inch size works well here. A touch of melted butter brushed on top before baking helps achieve that golden-brown finish.
Instructions
Prepare the Oven and Dish
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Take a 9×13-inch baking dish and lightly grease it. This prevents sticking and helps with cleanup.
Mix the Filling
In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Stir these ingredients together until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined. A fork works just fine for this part.
Assemble the Roll-Ups
Lay out your flour tortillas on a clean counter. Spread about two tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture evenly over each tortilla, leaving a small border. Then, sprinkle the mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses over the cream cheese layer. Roll each tortilla tightly, and place it seam-side down in your prepared baking dish.
Bake to Golden Perfection
Once all the tortillas are rolled and arranged, brush the tops of them with melted butter. Transfer the dish to your preheated oven. Bake for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly. Serve these while they are still warm.
Notes From My Kitchen
I remember Nonna Rosa would sometimes make a quick snack for us after school. It wasn’t pizza roll-ups, but she’d take leftover bread, spread a bit of tomato paste, sprinkle some oregano, and toast it in her big oven until the edges were crisp. This recipe feels like a modern, softer version of that same idea.
One thing I’ve found is that the type of pizza sauce matters. A thicker sauce prevents the tortillas from getting too soggy during baking. If your sauce is on the watery side, try reducing it slightly on the stovetop first. Also, don’t overfill the tortillas; a consistent two tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture per tortilla keeps them from bursting open in the oven. I’ve had a few messy collapses when I got a little too generous with the filling.
These are best served with a simple green salad or a bowl of tomato soup for dipping. Sometimes, I’ll even offer a side of extra warm pizza sauce for anyone who wants more. They also make a good addition to a snack board if you’re having friends over and want something casual.
Variations
You can easily adjust the fillings to suit different tastes. For a meatier option, add finely diced pepperoni or cooked, crumbled Italian sweet sausage to the cream cheese mixture before spreading. If you prefer a vegetarian approach, finely chopped bell peppers, mushrooms, or spinach can be incorporated. Just make sure to sauté any watery vegetables first to remove excess moisture.
Consider swapping out the cheese blend as well. A Monterey Jack or provolone could work in place of cheddar for a slightly different flavor profile. For a little heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes mixed into the sauce or sprinkled on top before baking adds a subtle kick. You could also experiment with different seasonings, like a smoked paprika for a deeper, earthier note.
Storage
Leftover pizza roll-ups should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They can be made ahead and refrigerated unbaked for up to 24 hours, then baked as directed. When reheating, the tortillas will soften a bit, and the texture won’t be quite as crisp as when freshly baked. Reheating in a toaster oven or conventional oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes works best to restore some of that crispness.
FAQ
Can I use whole wheat tortillas instead of white flour tortillas? Yes, you can. Whole wheat tortillas will work, but they tend to be a bit denser. The flavor might change slightly, but they will still roll and bake well.
What if I don’t have all three types of cheese? You can certainly use just one or two types of cheese. A good melting cheese like mozzarella is key for the texture, but cheddar or provolone can be used interchangeably depending on what you have.
Can these be frozen? I haven’t had much luck freezing them baked. The texture of the tortilla changes quite a bit upon thawing and reheating. If you want to prepare them ahead, assemble them, then freeze them unbaked on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a freezer bag and bake from frozen, adding about 5-10 minutes to the baking time.
Nutritional Information
Each serving of these pizza roll-ups, based on 10 servings per recipe, contains approximately 275 calories. This includes 18g of fat, 10g of protein, and 20g of carbohydrates. Please remember that these values are estimates and can vary based on specific brands of ingredients used, such as the sodium content in your broth or the fat content in your chosen cheeses. For more recipe ideas, check out our Pinterest page.
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Kids Lunch Pizza Roll Ups (20 Minutes)
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
Description
Pizza roll-ups are made by spreading pizza sauce and cheese on tortillas, rolling them up, and baking until golden.
Ingredients
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup pizza sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 10 (8 inch) flour tortillas
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Combine softened cream cheese, pizza sauce, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder in a medium bowl.
- Lay out tortillas on a clean surface. Spread about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture evenly over each tortilla.
- Sprinkle mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses over the cream cheese mixture.
- Roll each tortilla tightly and place seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
- Brush the tops of the rolled tortillas with melted butter.
- Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the cream cheese mixture.
- Consider adding finely diced pepperoni or cooked sausage for extra flavor.
- These roll-ups can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
