Quick & Easy Entertaining:

When I wanted to create simple tasty party bites, I took inspiration from a classic pastrami sandwich and transformed it into an easy roll-up.

Pastrami has that irresistible combination of smokey, salty, and savoury flavours, making it an excellent match when married with cheese and pickles.

These simple tasty party bites (Pastrami Rolls with Cottage Cheese, Horseradish & Pickled Onions) are loaded with flavour and make a great addition to any event.

A well-liked Appetiser

When hosting, I love appetisers that deliver big on taste without requiring hours in the kitchen.

These roll-ups are exactly that—simple to assemble but loaded with bold flavours that guests appreciate.

They’re ideal for everything from casual grazing boards to more formal gatherings, adding variety without extra effort.

As I often mention, if you are catering for numbers and planning to only serve appetisers, it is great to mix things up a bit.

I like to present simple tasty party bites with a balance of hot & cold, a mix of cold meats, simple roll-ups, fresh bites, pastry appetisers, some skewers & a mix of meat, seafood, vegetarian, gluten-free & vegan options.

That way, you have everyone covered & your event will be a success.

These appetisers also work well when made ahead of time, so you can prepare them in advance and enjoy your event without last-minute prep.

The ingredients complement each other beautifully, creating layers of flavour that make each bite exciting.

Flavours That Stand Out

Beef pairs naturally with strong, punchy flavours, and pastrami is no exception.

Instead of the usual mustard, I use horseradish cream for a subtle heat that enhances the smokiness of the meat.

Another option could be wasabi.

Cottage cheese adds another element of creaminess albeit mild, while rocket and pickled red onions bring freshness and a slight tang with a hint of pepper.

These elements come together to create a tasteful bite that’s both satisfying and memorable.

Easily Adaptable for Any Occasion

One of the best things about simple tasty pasty bites such as these, is how simple it is to change up the ingredients.

While pastrami is a favourite, other cold cuts like Bresaola, ham, prosciutto, sliced chicken, turkey or pancetta work just as well.

For a meat-free alternative, grilled eggplant, zucchini, or crisp lettuce leaves provide a great base.

The spread can also be adjusted depending on your preference.

Grainy mustard, herbed cream cheese, or even a hint of fig jam can bring a different dimension to the flavours.

By making small tweaks, you can create something new every time, making these roll-ups a reliable choice for catering.

A Go-To Bite for Any Gathering

If you are wondering what you can make for quick & easy entertaining at your next family event, these pastrami rolls are a great start.

They require minimal effort, look inviting on a platter, and offer a mix of textures and bold flavours that guests love.

With endless ways to customise them, they’re a great addition to your appetiser lineup, ensuring there’s always something exciting to serve at your next event & something for everyone.

Pastrami Rolls

(Serves 12 Prep 15 Mins)

You Will Need:

Pastrami – A flavourful, smoked, and spiced beef that brings a rich, savoury taste with a slightly peppery kick. It is a great base for roll-ups & offers plenty for the tastebuds. Pastrami comes in packs of 6 slices at Aldi, otherwise, visit the deli section of your supermarket. Generally, the slices are not perfectly round but this is not really noticeable when they are rolled up.

Horseradish Cream – A smooth, tangy spread made from grated horseradish and cream, offering a mild heat that enhances the smokiness of the pastrami while adding a touch of richness. It is not as spicy as it sounds but just adds enough. I buy the jar version (by Masterfoods) at Woolies or Coles.

High-Protein Cottage Cheese – A light & creamy cheese that balances the bolder flavours with its mild, slightly tangy profile. Its high protein content makes it a nutritious addition while keeping the filling soft and luscious.

Rocket Leaves (Arugula) – These peppery, slightly bitter greens provide a fresh contrast to the rich meats and cheeses, adding both flavour complexity but also a bit of freshness & a bit of crunch.

Pickled Red Onion – Thinly sliced red onions that have been pickled in vinegar, sugar, and spices, bringing an injection of colour, acidity and a touch of sweetness that cuts through the richness of the other ingredients. I make my own but you can buy them in a jar at the supermarket.

Flat Leaf Parsley (Garnish) – A fresh and mildly herbaceous garnish that enhances the dish with a bright, clean flavour, tying together the savoury and tangy elements. You only need a small amount sprinkled on top.

Lemon Zest (Garnish) – Finely grated lemon peel that adds a fragrant citrus note, lifting the flavours with a subtle hint of citrusy freshness and balancing the dish’s richness.

Dill (Garnish) – one of my go-to herbs with a slightly sweet and grassy taste that complements the pickled onions and horseradish, enhancing the overall aroma.

Basil Leaves (Garnish) – Soft, aromatic leaves that introduce a hint of sweetness and a slightly peppery, anise-like flavour, adding another layer of freshness to the dish.

Although it might seem to be a bit of overkill, using 3 herbs and lemon zest, they all work well together and have their place in the dish.

Instructions:

Prepare the Pastrami Base: Lay two slices of pastrami at a time on a flat, clean work surface.

Add the Horseradish Cream: Spread a good teaspoon of horseradish cream along the centre of the pastrami slices. Distribute it evenly through the middle, making sure to leave enough of a border around the edges to prevent it from seeping out when rolled.

Layer the Cottage Cheese: Spoon a teaspoon of cottage cheese on top of the horseradish cream, keeping it along the centre. The cottage cheese provides a creamy contrast to the bold flavours, balancing the spice and adding a light texture.

Add the Fresh Rocket Leaves: Place 3-4 fresh rocket leaves over the cottage cheese, arranging them so they are evenly spread across the filling. I use 4 leaves with 2 stems facing one way and the other 2 facing the other.

Sprinkle the Pickled Red Onions: Scatter a heaped teaspoon of pickled red onions over the rocket leaves. The colour is gorgeous and I can taste them as I write this!

Fold and Secure the Roll: Gently fold the sides of the pastrami inward, overlapping them slightly to enclose the filling. Press lightly to hold the shape, then secure the roll-up with a toothpick to keep everything intact. If the pastrami is on the thicker side, adjust the overlap to ensure a snug wrap.

Repeat the Process
Continue assembling the roll-ups by repeating the steps with the remaining pastrami slices and fillings. Work in batches to ensure each roll is uniform in size and presentation.

Arrange on a platter
Arrange the completed pastrami roll-ups nicely on a serving platter.

Garnish: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley, dill, and basil leaves over the roll-ups. Finish with a light sprinkle of finely grated lemon zest to brighten the dish with a hint of citrus.

Serve & enjoy!

Helpful Hints

• These simple tasty party bites can be made ahead of time, even kept overnight & still taste great the next day.

• It’s very easy to customise this appetiser, using other sliced meats or grilled sliced veges like eggplant or zucchini.

• If you want a bit more heat, you can swap out the horseradish cream for a hot english mustard.

• Just be aware that if you substitute the pastrami with Bresaola for instances, you may need 2 slices per appetiser as they are alot thinner.

Pastrami Rolls

Recipe

(Serves 12 Prep 15 Mins)

Ingredients

• 12 Slices of Pastrami
• 3 Tbsp Horseradish Cream
• 1/2 Cup High Protein Cottage Cheese
• 100g Rocket Leaves (Arugula)
• ⅓ Cup Pickled Red Onion
• 1 Tbsp chopped Flat Leaf Parsley (Garnish)
• Zest of 1 Lemon(Garnish)
• 1 Tbsp chopped Dill (Garnish)
• 2 Tbsp baby Basil Leaves (Garnish)

Method

1. Place two slices of pastrami at a time on a flat clean surface.
2. Spread a good teaspoon of horseradish cream along the centre of each pastrami slice.
3. Add a teaspoon of cottage cheese over the horseradish layer.
4. Arrange 3-4 rocket leaves on top.
5. Sprinkle a heaped teaspoon of pickled red onions over the rocket.
6. Fold the sides of each pastrami slice inward, overlapping the edges to enclose the filling, and secure them with a toothpick.
7. Repeat the process with the remaining pastrami slices.
8. Transfer the roll-ups to a serving platter.
9. Garnish with parsley, dill, basil & lemon zest.

Serve & Enjoy!

Wine Pairing Suggestions:

Dry Riesling

The bright acidity, citrus notes, and subtle minerality in a dry riesling, help balance the richness of the pastrami and cottage cheese while complementing the sharpness of horseradish and pickled onions.

Sauvignon Blanc

The zesty acidity and herbaceous notes (especially in a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc) match well with the rocket, herbs, and lemon zest while refreshing the palate against the pastrami’s spice.

Grüner Veltliner

Its peppery and citrusy character harmonises with the rocket and horseradish cream, while its crisp acidity cuts through the fattiness of pastrami and cottage cheese.

Pinot Noir 

A light-bodied Pinot Noir has enough acidity and red fruit to complement the pastrami without overwhelming the other elements in these simple tasty party bites.

Gamay (Beaujolais-Villages or Cru Beaujolais)

A juicy, high-acid red with soft tannins to complement the pastrami while allowing the pickled onion and herbs to shine.