Easy Turkey and Cheddar Lunchbox Roll-Ups
These easy turkey and cheddar roll-ups are a quick, no-cook lunchbox solution made with flour tortillas, deli turkey, cheddar cheese, and cream cheese. Ready in 10 minutes, they hold up beautifully in a backpack and are endlessly customizable.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes (plus 15-30 minutes chilling time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Lunch
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 4 (8-inch) flour tortillas
- 16–20 slices deli turkey (oven-roasted or honey-roasted)
- 8 slices cheddar cheese (sharp or mild)
- 4 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- Optional: fresh spinach leaves, Dijon mustard, thin cucumber slices
Instructions
- Soften the cream cheese: Take cream cheese out of the fridge 15-20 minutes before starting, or microwave in a bowl for 10-15 seconds until spreadable but not runny.
- Prep the tortillas: Lay one flour tortilla flat on a cutting board. If stiff, microwave for 5-10 seconds to make pliable.
- Spread the cream cheese: Using a butter knife or spatula, spread a thin, even layer of softened cream cheese over the entire surface of the tortilla, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges.
- Layer the turkey and cheese: Place 4-5 slices of deli turkey flat on the cream cheese, overlapping slightly. Add 1-2 slices of cheddar cheese on top. For extra crunch, add a few spinach leaves or thin cucumber slices now.
- Roll it tightly: Starting at one edge, roll the tortilla up as tightly as possible without tearing, using fingers to tuck in the filling as you go.
- Wrap and chill: Wrap the rolled tortilla tightly in plastic wrap or parchment paper, twisting the ends like a candy wrapper. Refrigerate for at least 15-20 minutes (30 minutes is ideal).
- Slice and serve: Unwrap the chilled roll-up and place on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, slice into 1-inch pinwheels using a gentle sawing motion. You should get about 6-8 pieces per tortilla.
- Pack for lunch: Arrange roll-ups in a lunchbox or airtight container. If packing the night before, place a slightly damp paper towel on top to prevent drying out.
Notes
Don’t skip the chilling step—it firms up the cream cheese for clean slices. Use full-fat cream cheese for best texture; low-fat can make roll-ups soggy. For gluten-free, use soft GF tortillas and warm slightly before rolling. For dairy-free, use vegan cream cheese and dairy-free cheese shreds. Roll-ups stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days but are best within 24 hours.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6-8 roll-ups (about
- Calories: 320350
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 780
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 22
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