Juicy Cheddar Bacon Ranch Tortilla Roll Ups

You know those potluck parties where everyone’s trying to bring something different? That’s where these cheddar bacon ranch roll ups came from. I first made them because my kids were tired of the same old sandwiches I’d been packing in their lunch boxes. My friend Sarah had brought something similar to a school function, and I thought, “Why haven’t I tried making these?”

The thing about these roll ups is they’re basically impossible to mess up. Even when I’m rushing around in the morning, half-awake and making lunches, I can throw these together without thinking too much. Plus, they’ve got bacon in them – and in my house, anything with bacon disappears pretty quickly.

What Kind of Cream Cheese Should I Use?

Regular block-style cream cheese is your best bet for these roll ups, though you can use light cream cheese if you prefer to cut some calories. Just make sure whatever type you choose is properly softened – leaving it out at room temperature for about an hour does the trick. The brick-style cream cheese tends to work better than the spreadable kind that comes in tubs, since the whipped varieties can make your filling a bit too soft. If you’re in a hurry to soften your cream cheese, you can cut it into cubes and let it sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes instead of waiting the full hour.

Options for Substitutions

Need to switch things up with these roll ups? Here are some handy substitutions you can try:

• Cream cheese: If you’re looking for a lighter option, try Neufchâtel cheese, or Greek yogurt cream cheese. Just make sure whatever you use is well softened to prevent lumps when mixing.
• Cheddar cheese: Feel free to swap the mild cheddar with medium or sharp cheddar, or try other melting cheeses like Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or even pepper jack for a spicy kick.
• Bacon: Turkey bacon works great as a lighter option. For a vegetarian version, try using chopped smoked almonds or bacon bits (check that they’re vegetarian if needed).
• Dried herbs: Fresh herbs can replace dried ones – just use about 1.5 teaspoons each of fresh parsley and dill instead of the dried amounts. You can also use an equal amount of ranch seasoning mix to replace all the dried herbs and seasonings.
• Flour tortillas: While flour tortillas work best for rolling, you can try whole wheat tortillas or spinach wraps. Just avoid corn tortillas as they’ll crack when rolled.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge when making tortilla roll ups is working with cream cheese that isn’t properly softened, which can lead to lumpy filling and torn tortillas – leave your cream cheese out for at least an hour before starting, or microwave it in 10-second intervals until it’s completely soft. Another common mistake is overfilling the tortillas, which makes them difficult to roll and can cause the filling to squeeze out the sides – aim for a thin, even layer about 1/4 inch thick. To prevent your roll ups from becoming soggy, make sure your bacon is well-drained and patted dry with paper towels before adding it to the mixture. For the best results, wrap your finished rolls tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight) before slicing – this helps the filling firm up and makes it easier to get clean, neat cuts.

What to Serve With Tortilla Roll Ups?

These creamy, cheesy roll ups are perfect for parties and go really well with fresh, crunchy vegetables to balance out their richness. I like to serve them alongside a colorful veggie platter with carrots, celery, bell peppers, and cucumber – the cool, crisp veggies are a nice contrast to the creamy filling. For a casual get-together, you can pair them with some potato chips or pretzels, which add a nice salty crunch to the spread. If you’re serving these as part of a larger party menu, they work great with other finger foods like chicken wings, meatballs, or a fresh fruit platter.

Storage Instructions

Prepare Ahead: These roll ups are perfect for making ahead! In fact, they taste even better after the flavors have had time to mingle in the fridge. You can prepare them up to 24 hours before serving – just wrap them tightly and slice right before your guests arrive.

Keep Fresh: Already sliced your roll ups? No worries! Place them in an airtight container, laying them flat in a single layer or with parchment paper between layers. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days, though the tortillas might soften a bit over time.

Pack & Transport: Taking these to a party? Pack the unsliced rolls whole and slice them when you get there – they’ll look fresher and travel better this way. If you need to transport already-sliced pieces, use a container with a tight seal and keep them chilled with an ice pack.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	0 minutes
Total Time	10-15 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2100-2300
• Protein: 60-70 g
• Fat: 150-160 g
• Carbohydrates: 180-200 g

Ingredients

• Two 8-ounce packages of cream cheese, softened (regular or light)
• 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon (around 5 slices)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to your liking
• Five 10-inch flour tortillas

Step 1: Prepare the Filling

Add all the ingredients, except for the tortillas, to a large bowl.

Using an electric mixer, beat the ingredients on low speed until the mixture is creamy.

Taste and season with salt and pepper to your liking.

Step 2: Assemble the Tortilla Rolls

Divide the creamy mixture evenly between the tortillas.

Spread the mixture across each tortilla, ensuring an even layer for a consistent roll.

Once evenly spread, tightly roll each tortilla.

Step 3: Chill the Rolls

Wrap each rolled tortilla tightly in saran wrap.

Place the wrapped rolls in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the rolls to firm up.

Step 4: Slice and Serve

When you’re ready to serve, remove the saran wrap from the rolls.

Cut off the ends of each roll for a cleaner presentation, then slice the rolls into bite-sized pieces.

Arrange the slices on a serving platter and enjoy your delicious, creamy tortilla rolls!