Description
Delicious and savory Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls made with spicy Rotel tomatoes and green chilies, creamy cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and flavored with garlic and onion powders. These flavorful sausage balls are baked to golden perfection, making them a perfect appetizer or snack for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb breakfast sausage
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 10 oz can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Optional
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Mix Sausage, Cream Cheese, and Rotel: In a large bowl, combine the breakfast sausage, softened cream cheese, and drained Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies. Mix thoroughly until well blended into a consistent mixture.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add shredded sharp cheddar cheese, all-purpose flour, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper to the sausage mixture. Stir to form a sticky dough that holds together well.
- Chill the Mixture: If the dough feels too soft or sticky to handle, chill it in the refrigerator for 15–20 minutes to firm up, making it easier to shape into balls.
- Form Sausage Balls: Use a cookie scoop or your hands to form the mixture into uniform balls approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter for even cooking.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the sausage balls on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each to allow for even heat circulation.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18–22 minutes, or until the sausage balls are golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 160°F to ensure safety.
- Cool and Garnish: Allow the sausage balls to cool slightly on the baking sheet, then garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm as a tasty appetizer or snack.
Notes
- You can prepare the dough a day ahead and keep it refrigerated until ready to bake.
- For spicier sausage balls, use hotter varieties of Rotel or add cayenne pepper.
- These sausage balls freeze well; freeze them before baking and bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cook time.
- Use a cookie scoop for uniform size, which helps ensure even cooking.
- Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure the sausage is safely cooked.
