If you are craving a breakfast that is bursting with bold flavors, easy to eat on the go, and packed with a spicy kick, then the Spicy Italian Breakfast Roll Ups Recipe is about to become your new favorite morning treat. These mini taquitos combine the savory goodness of spicy Italian sausage with fluffy eggs, melty cheese, and fresh herbs all wrapped up in warm tortillas and baked to a perfect golden crisp. Whether you’re rushing out the door or hosting a brunch, these roll ups deliver a satisfying, crave-worthy meal with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are delightfully simple yet essential to create the rich texture and vibrant taste of the Spicy Italian Breakfast Roll Ups Recipe. Each element plays a key role, from the spicy sausage giving it a flavorful punch to the fresh basil adding a pop of herbal brightness.
- Olive oil: Adds a light, fruity base for cooking and brushing the roll ups to crisp up nicely.
- Spicy Italian sausages: The star protein packed with heat and robust seasoning.
- Butter: Adds a silky richness, especially perfect for sautéing the aromatics.
- Small onion (diced): Brings natural sweetness and a bit of bite; choose your favorite type.
- Bird’s eye chillis (sliced): For that fiery, zesty heat that balances the richness.
- Garlic cloves: Adds fragrant depth and mingles beautifully with the onion and chilli.
- Eggs: The creamy binding agent that makes the filling hearty and eggy.
- Milk: Keeps the eggs fluffy and tender.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors evenly.
- Black pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity to the eggs.
- Grated cheese: Cheddar or any melting cheese for gooey, melty deliciousness.
- Fresh basil leaves: Delivers a fresh, aromatic flair, but dried Italian herbs work well too.
- Small tortillas: The perfect handheld wrap, choose corn or flour based on your preference.
- Olive oil for brushing: Optional but makes the roll ups beautifully crisp and golden.
How to Make Spicy Italian Breakfast Roll Ups Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Tray
Start by preheating your oven to 180C/350F and preparing a baking tray with either oil spray or parchment paper to ensure your roll ups don’t stick and bake evenly.
Step 2: Get Your Sausage Ready
Remove the sausage from its casings—it will cook better when broken into nice, chunky bits rather than whole links.
Step 3: Brown the Sausage
Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over high heat, then add the sausage pieces. Cook them until they’re nicely browned and cooked through, breaking them apart for perfect bite-size pieces. Once done, remove from the pan and set aside.
Step 4: Sauté Aromatics With Spice
Turn the stove down to medium-high, melt the butter in the same pan without cleaning it (all those flavorful bits stay put!). Add the diced onion, sliced bird’s eye chillis, and chopped garlic. Sauté these aromatics for 3 to 5 minutes until the onion turns translucent and just lightly golden—this builds the fragrant foundation for your filling.
Step 5: Cook the Eggs Slowly
Pour in the eggs, milk, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently and slowly with a wooden spoon until the eggs start to hold together but remain moist and slightly wet, about five minutes. This slow cooking ensures a creamy, soft scramble rather than dry eggs.
Step 6: Combine Filling Ingredients
Remove the pan from heat and fold in the browned sausage, grated cheese, and fresh basil leaves. The residual heat melts the cheese just enough, and the basil adds a bright herbal note that rounds out the flavors wonderfully.
Step 7: Assemble the Roll Ups
Divide the savory filling evenly among the small tortillas. Spread it lengthwise so you can roll them tightly without overfilling.
Step 8: Roll, Brush, and Bake
Roll each tortilla up tightly, placing the seam side down on your prepared baking tray. Brush the tops lightly with olive oil if you want extra crispness. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the roll ups are lightly golden and slightly crisp on the outside.
Step 9: Serve Warm and Enjoy
Remove from the oven and serve immediately while the cheesy filling is warm and melty, and the tortillas have that perfectly thin crisp exterior.
How to Serve Spicy Italian Breakfast Roll Ups Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh garnishes add a vibrant pop and counterbalance the spiciness. Try a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or extra basil leaves, a dollop of tangy sour cream, or a few slices of ripe avocado to bring creaminess and color contrast.
Side Dishes
These roll ups pair beautifully with fresh fruit salad, a simple green salad with lemon vinaigrette, or even roasted breakfast potatoes for a heartier meal. Their spicy heat balances well against cool, refreshing sides.
Creative Ways to Present
For a brunch crowd, slice the roll ups into little bite-size pinwheels and serve on a platter with dipping sauces like marinara, spicy mayo, or pesto. Alternatively, wrap them individually in parchment paper for a grab-and-go breakfast picnic style.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store any leftover roll ups in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. This way, they stay fresh and ready for a quick breakfast fix.
Freezing
These roll ups freeze beautifully. Allow them to cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep well for up to a month, perfect for planning breakfasts ahead of time.
Reheating
For the crispiest reheating, thaw them overnight in the fridge and then warm in the oven until hot and golden again. If you’re short on time, the microwave works too but expect a softer tortilla texture, more like a burrito.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of sausage for this recipe?
Absolutely! While spicy Italian sausage offers great heat and flavor, you can swap in sweet Italian sausage or even chorizo for a different twist. Just adjust any additional seasoning accordingly.
Are these roll ups suitable for freezing and reheating?
Yes, they freeze wonderfully. Just make sure they cool completely before freezing, and reheat in the oven for best texture or microwave if you’re in a hurry.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Definitely! Substitute the sausage with plant-based sausage crumbles or a mixture of sautéed mushrooms and smoked paprika for a smoky, savory flavor.
What kind of cheese works best in this recipe?
Cheddar cheese melts well and adds vibrant flavor, but you can also use mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or any other melt-friendly cheese. Feel free to experiment!
How spicy is the Spicy Italian Breakfast Roll Ups Recipe?
The heat level depends on your tolerance and how many bird’s eye chillis you add. You can easily reduce or increase the amount to suit your preference without losing the overall deliciousness.
Final Thoughts
There’s something genuinely comforting and exciting about biting into these Spicy Italian Breakfast Roll Ups Recipe that makes mornings feel a little more special. They’re bursting with flavor and perfect for anyone who loves a spicy breakfast that’s both easy and satisfying. I encourage you to try this recipe soon—you might just find your new favorite way to start the day!
Print
Spicy Italian Breakfast Roll Ups Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 roll ups
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
These Spicy Italian Breakfast Roll Ups are a delicious and convenient breakfast option perfect for busy mornings. Featuring a flavorful filling of spicy Italian sausage, sautéed onions, bird’s eye chilies, scrambled eggs, and melted cheese wrapped in soft tortillas and baked until golden and slightly crisp, these mini taquitos offer a satisfying meal on the go. Fresh basil adds an aromatic herbal note, and the roll ups can be easily frozen for reheating later.
Ingredients
Filling
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 10 oz / 300g spicy Italian sausages (casings removed)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion, diced (brown, yellow, white, or Spanish)
- 3 bird’s eye chilies, sliced (adjust amount to taste)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 eggs
- 1 tbsp milk
- 3/4 tsp salt
- Black pepper, to taste
- 3/4 cup grated cheese (cheddar or any other meltable flavored cheese)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced (or 1 tbsp dried Italian herbs such as basil, parsley, oregano)
Assembly
- 8 small tortillas (corn or flour, approximately 6″ / 12 cm rounds)
- Olive oil for brushing (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Tray: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Lightly spray a baking tray with oil or line it with parchment or baking paper to prevent sticking.
- Remove Sausage Casings: Peel the casings off the spicy Italian sausages to prepare the meat for cooking.
- Cook Sausage: Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over high heat. Add the sausage meat and cook, breaking it up into chunky pieces with a spatula, until nicely browned and cooked through. Once done, remove the sausage from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Lower the heat to medium-high and melt the butter in the same pan without cleaning it. Add the diced onion, sliced bird’s eye chilies, and minced garlic. Sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until the onions become translucent and lightly golden.
- Scramble Eggs: Add the eggs, milk, salt, and black pepper to the pan. Stir gently and slowly with a wooden spoon, not vigorously, allowing the eggs to begin to set but remain slightly wet and soft. This should take about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from heat at this stage.
- Mix Filling: Gently fold the cooked sausage, grated cheese, and sliced fresh basil leaves into the scrambled eggs mixture until well combined.
- Fill Tortillas: Divide the sausage and egg filling evenly among the 8 tortillas.
- Roll and Prepare for Baking: Roll each tortilla up tightly and place them seam side down on the prepared baking tray. Optionally, brush the tops with olive oil to help achieve a golden, slightly crisp finish.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes until the roll ups are lightly golden and have a slightly crisp texture on the outside.
- Serve: Serve the Spicy Italian Breakfast Roll Ups warm for the best flavor and texture.
- Freezing and Reheating: To freeze, let the roll ups cool completely before placing them in the freezer. To reheat, first defrost, then warm them in the oven to restore the crispness or microwave for a softer wrap-like texture.
Notes
- You can adjust the number of bird’s eye chilies according to your preferred spice level.
- Any meltable flavored cheese can be used in place of cheddar for a different taste.
- The tortillas can be corn or flour, whichever you prefer or have on hand.
- These roll ups are great for meal prep and can be frozen for quick breakfasts during the week.
- Reheating in the oven gives a crispier texture while the microwave yields a softer, burrito-like texture.
