Description
These Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls are a delicious and savory appetizer, combining spicy Rotel tomatoes, creamy cheese, and flavorful sausage into bite-sized balls baked to golden perfection. Perfect for parties, game days, or as a tasty snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 lb breakfast sausage
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 10 oz can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
Optional Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Sausage and Cream Cheese: In a large bowl, combine the breakfast sausage, softened cream cheese, and drained Rotel tomatoes. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are well blended, creating an even base for your sausage balls.
- Add Dry Ingredients and Cheese: Incorporate the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, all-purpose flour, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper into the sausage mixture. Stir until a sticky dough forms that holds together but is not overly wet.
- Chill Mixture: If the dough feels too soft to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 15–20 minutes to firm it up for easier rolling.
- Form Balls: Using a cookie scoop or your hands, shape the dough into uniform 1 to 1.5-inch balls, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the sausage balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each to allow for proper heat circulation and cooking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18–22 minutes, or until the balls are golden brown and cooked through. Confirm doneness with an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the sausage balls to cool slightly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve warm as a flavorful appetizer or snack.
Notes
- Chilling the dough helps make rolling easier and prevents the balls from falling apart during baking.
- Ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F to guarantee the sausage is safely cooked.
- These sausage balls can be frozen after shaping and baked directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- For a milder flavor, use mild Rotel tomatoes.
- You can substitute gluten-free flour to make this recipe gluten-free.
