Get ready to meet your new go-to party favorite: Rotel Spiced Sausage & Cream Cheese Bites. Imagine a golden, flaky crescent roll bundle exploding with creamy cheese, hearty sausage, and just the right kick from those iconic Rotel tomatoes and green chiles. These addictive little packages are a dream for gatherings, game days, or casual weeknights when you want something that feels truly special without fuss. With bold flavor, a pillowy texture, and a fun, hands-on assembly, this recipe is about to become your most-requested crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Rotel Spiced Sausage & Cream Cheese Bites lies in their simplicity—each ingredient brings an important flavor, texture, or pop of color that makes these handheld treats irresistible. Gather these pantry staples and watch them come together in the most delicious way.
- Spicy breakfast sausage: Provides a savory, meaty foundation and a boost of heat—regular sausage works too for a milder bite.
- Cream cheese (softened): Creates the creamy base that holds the filling together and keeps every bite rich.
- Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained): The secret to a bright, zesty kick—make sure to drain well for the best texture.
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese: Melts beautifully and adds sharp, tangy flavor.
- Garlic powder: Bumps up the savory depth and ensures you get robust flavor throughout.
- Onion powder: Balances the sausage perfectly and lightly sweetens the background.
- Smoked paprika: Adds a subtle smoky warmth that pairs beautifully with the sausage and cheese.
- Refrigerated crescent roll dough (or crescent dough sheets): The golden, flaky exterior that wraps everything up into perfect bites.
- Egg (beaten for egg wash): Gives a glossy, bakery-style finish to each bite.
- Chopped parsley (optional): Sprinkled on top for a fresh pop of color and a hint of green.
How to Make Rotel Spiced Sausage & Cream Cheese Bites
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F, ensuring it’s nice and hot when you’re ready to bake. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper; this step keeps cleanup easy and prevents sticking, making sure every Rotel Spiced Sausage & Cream Cheese Bite turns out golden on the bottom.
Step 2: Cook and Crumble the Sausage
In a skillet over medium heat, cook your spicy (or regular) breakfast sausage until it’s browned and cooked through, breaking it into tender crumbles as it sizzles. This step fills your kitchen with mouthwatering aromas and lays the flavorful foundation for your bites. Make sure to drain off any excess grease and let it cool a few minutes before moving on.
Step 3: Mix the Filling
Grab a large mixing bowl and combine your cooked sausage, softened cream cheese, well-drained Rotel, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Stir everything together until thoroughly blended; you want a filling that’s creamy, cheesy, and flecked with bright bites of tomato and green chiles. This is where the magic of Rotel Spiced Sausage & Cream Cheese Bites really comes alive!
Step 4: Prepare the Crescent Dough
Unroll your crescent dough onto a lightly floured surface. If you’re using crescent roll sheets, slice them into even squares about 2 inches wide. If you have the classic triangle rolls, simply pinch two triangles together and reshape them to form squares. No need for perfection—they’ll puff beautifully in the oven.
Step 5: Fill and Fold
Spoon about one tablespoon of that dreamy filling onto each square. Fold the corners up and over the filling, pinching gently until you’ve encased the filling in a neat little bundle or ball. Place each one seam-side down on your prepared baking sheet, leaving a bit of space in between for maximum golden puff.
Step 6: Egg Wash and Bake
Brush each bite lightly with beaten egg. This gives your Rotel Spiced Sausage & Cream Cheese Bites their signature glossy sheen and bakery-style bronze color. Slide the tray into your preheated oven, and bake for 13 to 15 minutes until they’re golden and puffed, then let them cool just enough to handle before serving.
How to Serve Rotel Spiced Sausage & Cream Cheese Bites
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley adds a burst of green that makes your tray of bites look especially inviting. If you’re in the mood to turn things up, try a swipe of hot honey or a little fresh cracked black pepper for an extra punch. Remember, a simple garnish can make homemade treats look truly festive!
Side Dishes
These bites are irresistible on their own, but they also love company! Serve alongside crunchy veggie sticks, a fresh green salad, or a tangy slaw for contrast. If it’s a party, pair with other finger-food favorites like mini meatballs or deviled eggs for an unbeatable spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Pile your Rotel Spiced Sausage & Cream Cheese Bites high on a rustic wooden board, surrounded by fresh herbs and colorful napkins for a casual party vibe. For a more polished touch, arrange in neat rows on a platter with little skewers or toothpicks. You could even serve them in mini muffin papers for an easy grab-and-go appetizer bar!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, keep them fresh by storing cooled bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay tasty for up to 3 days, making them awesome for snacking or quick lunches.
Freezing
Rotel Spiced Sausage & Cream Cheese Bites are incredibly freezer-friendly. Arrange cooled bites on a tray and freeze until solid, then pop them into a zip-top bag or freezer-safe container. This method keeps them from sticking together, so you can easily grab a few whenever you need them.
Reheating
To bring your bites back to life, place them on a baking sheet and reheat in a 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes (or until heated through). This crisps up the outside and makes the filling melty again. In a pinch, the microwave works for a quick nibble, but the dough is at its best when oven-warmed.
FAQs
Can I use regular sausage instead of spicy?
Absolutely! If you prefer a milder flavor, regular breakfast sausage is a delicious swap. The Rotel still lends a bit of bite, so you won’t lose that signature kick entirely.
How do I keep the filling from seeping out?
Make sure to drain the Rotel tomatoes very well and pinch the dough firmly to seal. Place your bites seam-side down on the baking sheet for the best results—this keeps everything nicely tucked inside.
Can these be made ahead for a party?
Yes! You can mix the filling a day or two in advance and refrigerate it. Assembling and baking fresh will always give you the best texture, but you can also fully bake the bites, cool, and then gently reheat before serving.
What’s the best way to reheat Rotel Spiced Sausage & Cream Cheese Bites?
For maximum crispness, use the oven at 350°F until warmed through. This keeps the shell flaky and the filling hot without any sogginess you might get from a microwave.
Are there any variations or add-ins I can try?
Feel free to make these your own! Swap in different cheeses, add chopped jalapeños for extra heat, or stir in a bit of cooked bacon for smoky, bacon-lovers’ flavor. Just keep the main ingredients balanced so the bites hold together.
Final Thoughts
Few recipes light up a room quite like Rotel Spiced Sausage & Cream Cheese Bites. They’re cheesy, spicy, golden, and guaranteed to disappear in a flash—so don’t be surprised if you’re asked for the recipe more than once! Say yes to your next gathering (or movie night in) by treating everyone to a batch—you might even find yourself making them again before the week is out.
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Rotel Spiced Sausage & Cream Cheese Bites Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 bites 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Rotel Spiced Sausage & Cream Cheese Bites are perfect for any gathering or as a tasty snack. The combination of spicy sausage, creamy cheese, and a touch of Rotel heat wrapped in flaky crescent dough is sure to be a hit!
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 1 pound spicy breakfast sausage (or regular if preferred)
- 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chiles), drained well
- 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 (8-ounce) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough or crescent dough sheets
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Preheat oven to 375°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cook sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook sausage until browned and cooked through. Drain excess grease and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare filling: In a large bowl, mix together cooked sausage, cream cheese, drained Rotel, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika until well combined.
- Assemble bites: Unroll crescent dough and cut into squares or separate triangles. Spoon filling onto each square, fold corners over, pinch to seal, and place seam-side down on the baking sheet. Brush with beaten egg.
- Bake: Bake for 13 to 15 minutes until golden brown and puffed. Let cool before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.
Notes
Notes:
- You can prep the filling ahead and refrigerate until ready to assemble.
- These bites are great for parties and can be frozen after baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
