Freezable, microwavable, food you can eat with your hands – These Spicy Italian Breakfast Roll Ups are useful for people like myself who regularly eat breakfast while driving!
These are like the Italian version of Breakfast Enchiladas!
The inspiration to make these came after a particularly embarrassing incident. I hate traffic and Sydney traffic is notoriously bad, especially when you live in an area where it’s one lane roads in and out. I live quite far from the city so when I have morning meetings, I like to make them early so I can beat the traffic.
They are usually meetings over breakfast but I am one of those people that need to eat asap upon waking, otherwise I feel ill. So I was up before 5am, took my dog out for a quick run then in the car with a thermos of coffee and toast to munch while driving by 6am.
In the city before 7, I hopped out of my car and strode towards the cafe I was meeting my friend at.
As I approached, he started sniggering and said “I thought we were meeting over breakfast?”
“Well yes….aren’t we at a cafe?”, I quipped in response.
“So you’re having a second breakfast?” he asked, still grinning.
I like to think I’m pretty good at smart ass responses, but at this, I fumbled, not wanting to admit I’d already had breakfast.
Then he pointed at my shirt.
I looked down, and saw my BLACK top was covered in toast crumbs. I mean COVERED. Women will understand when I say there are certain fabrics that crumbs CLING to, and I was wearing one of THOSE tops…..
I still regularly eat breakfast in the car. But I created this crumb free breakfast so I’ll look presentable when I arrive at my destination. 🙂
These are a great breakfast on the run. The filling holds together well so you won’t get bits falling out as you eat it. And they are made with soft taco shells (mini tortillas), so they don’t crumble when you bite into them. I also prefer making these with small tortillas rather than full size ones because they are “hand held” size. But of course, you can make them with regular tortillas too. 🙂
They are freezable and can be reheated in the microwave, though the oven is better because then the tortilla crisps up (but still does not crumble much). And you can change up the filling to your taste. Bacon is great, as is chorizo (cook them the same way as per the recipe), salmon (smoked or canned), corn, beans or any other diced vegetables (as long as they are sautéed so they aren’t watery).
The scrambled eggs in this are not a pure yellow colour of standard scrambled eggs because I like to use the flavour of the sausages (or bacon!) to fry the eggs. Flavour over appearance!
So this is one for all those who eat breakfast on the run like I do. Food you can eat without ending up with crumbs all over you!
– Nagi
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Spicy Italian Breakfast Roll Ups (Breakfast On The Go / Mini Taquitos)
Ingredients
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 10 oz / 300g spicy Italian Sausages (Note 1)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 small onion , diced (brown, yellow, white, spanish)
- 3 birds eye chillis , sliced (adjust amount to taste - Note 2)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 6 eggs
- 1 tbsp milk
- 3/4 tsp salt
- Black pepper
- 3/4 cup grated cheese (I used cheddar, any other flavoured cheese that melts works fine)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves , thinly sliced (or sub with 1 tbsp dried Italian herbs - basil, parsley, oregano)
- 8 small tortillas , corn or flour (around 6" / 12 cm rounds)
- Olive oil , for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180C/350F. Spray a baking tray with oil, or line with parchment/baking paper.
- Remove sausages from casings.
- Heat oil in a large fry pan over high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking up into chunky pieces, until nicely browned. Remove from pan.
- Turn stove down to medium high and melt butter in the same pan (don't clean the pan). Add the onion, chills and garlic and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes until the onion is translucent and a light golden brown.
- Add the eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Stir slowly, not vigorously, using a wooden spoon until the eggs are "holding together" but are still wet - about 5 minutes.
- Remove pan from the stove, stir through the sausage, cheese and basil leaves.
- Divide filling between the tortillas.
- Roll up the tortillas and place on the baking tray, seam side down. Brush with olive oil (optional), then bake for 15 to 20 minutes until light golden and slightly crisp.
- Serve while warm.
- To freeze, allow to cool then place in the freezer. To reheat, defrost then reheat in the oven (to make it crisp again) or in the microwave (the tortilla will reheat soft so it will be more like a burrito).
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition per roll up assuming you make this using Lean Turkey Italian Sausages.
Nutrition Information:
Haha, what a funny story. Me too, I really need to eat as soon as I get up, otherwise I feel I’d faint…
Smart idea to freeze these! I never think about freezing rolls, but it totally makes sense. Sausage and eggs are my favorite breakfast items and can’t wait to make a big batch!
I am very selective about foods for freezing, especially breakfast type meals! This works a treat 🙂
Love being able to do a ‘grab and go’ breakfast and this recipe looks delicious! Yummy!
Thank you Linda! These can be made with corn tortillas too, to make them gluten free 🙂
Hehe I always call it a second breakfast too! Damn crumbs are such a giveaway. These look amazing. Definitely worth a second breakfast!
Thanks Lucy!! I know…those darn crumbs…I just can’t keep a secret! 🙂
I hate it when my ‘shelf’ gets covered in crumbs (and other things). It doesn’t stop me from eating toast but these wonderful mini taquitos would make a wonderful breakfast on the go or sitting on the sofa!
Or…in bed? 😉
I’m always eating on the go! What a great recipe for my morning car trips too.
Thanks Amanda!! Yup, grab and go 😉 Better than Maccers drive through!
My mouth is watering just looking at the pics and reading the recipe!!! Yum!! You can bet I will make these!! THANK YOU for sharing!!
Thanks Lora! I hope you enjoy them!! 🙂
These sound and look great and I love how you illustrate their on-the-go-ness in the photo. Really nicely done. What impresses me most here though is the fact that you are up for running at 5 a.m.!
Wow, thanks so much Nicole! That means so much coming from you! You rock!! 🙂
I am definitely not coordinated enough to eat and drive. And I so rarely wear white clothes as on me they are like a food magnet. So I love these handy little breakfast rolls. Perfect for people like me !
Me too! I rarely wear white clothes because a) I have an energetic dog b) I have a weakness for noodles! It screams danger!!
I have also had forensic evidence of breakfast all over me when I have been in a hurry. I love these little roll ups though, great for us busy morning bees 😉
He he!! Glad it’s not just me!! 🙂
Hobbits always have second breakfast. I think I’m a Hobbit. 🙂 These taquitos look wonderful! Great idea. And crumb free. I’ll have these for both first and second breakfast.
Thanks John!! Guess I’m a hobbit too 🙂
Such a funny story, Nagi! I usually spill coffee all down the front of my shirt in the car, and it’s always when I’m wearing something white… go figure 😉 This is such a fabulous recipe and great idea for those on the run. Love the kick of spice in the morning too! I think I’d grab that entire basket you have there and sit it down right beside me in the passenger seat 😉
Thanks Kathleen! Have to admit, that’s the danger with these – being so small, it’s really easy to mechanically keep eating them, one after the other 🙂
Like the filling in these taquitos…and I can them not only for breakfast but for lunch or dinner…they look delicious!
Hope you are enjoying your week Nagi 🙂
Thank you Juliana! And actually, I had one of these for dinner last night with soup!! Having a GREAT week, hope you are too! 🙂
YUM- MEE!!! Great pics Nagi’s Mama! and a fun recipe 🙂
Thanks Lisa!! Actually, Mama did not approve of this recipe but I went ahead and posted it anyway!! 😉 She didn’t approve of the photo nor the recipe!
That would SO happen to me. What crumbs? 🙂
I have to eat in the morning too or I feel rotten all day. I’m amazed at people who skip breakfast. These little roll ups are just perfect for on-the-go or to-stay!!
I don’t get them either Marissa!! I feel ill and get cranky if I don’t have breakfast! 🙂
Oh wow, these mini taquitos look absolutely lovely. I want my breakfast on the go all the time now. JK. But I’ll definitely be making these.
PS: Those tops need to be punished for not being able to keep the secret!
I know, right??! Black tops can be a style hazard for foodies!! 🙂
Nagi, these are great! I do a variation of this with turkey kalbasa and eggs with some onions…I love them! They are sooo filling and super yummy! I never thought to freeze them though! Thanks for the hint!
Ooh, have you shared your version? I must pop over to check! 🙂
Oh, I do want these for breakfast this morning – sooooo delicious Nagi:)
Thanks Rachel! 🙂
Hahaha! Love the visual! Those darn toast crumbs – can’t get away with anything! I love this roll-up idea, Nagi! Italian sausage? I am all over it, my friend!!
Thanks Annie! Toast crumbs are the BEST at home cause you know it’s a good crunchy bread, but while driving?? Style Hazard!! 🙂
These look so insanely good, what an awesome breakfast idea!
Thanks Matt! Bet you’ve done taquitos 🙂 Must pop over to check!
Great little breakfast and any crumbs would go smashingly with your black sweater… I am certain! Our mornings are always rushed too. My boys are always just grabbing something easy to go and to be able to hand them something hearty to eat in hand, while they are waiting for public transport, is brilliant.
Thanks!! And yes, teenage boys munching on these at the bus stop is exactly the sort of idea I had in mind! 🙂