Hearty Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls Recipe

Cheesy Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls Recipe

Warm, flaky crescent rolls bursting with a zesty rotel sausage and cream cheese filling promise pure comfort on a plate.

Packed with bold flavors, this crowd-pleasing appetizer delivers serious satisfaction in every single bite.

Southern comfort meets creamy indulgence with these irresistible rolls that blend spicy sausage and tangy cream cheese.

Crescent dough wraps around a savory mixture that melts and mingles with delicious intensity.

Each roll brings a perfect balance of rich, creamy, and spicy elements that dance across your palate.

The combination of hearty sausage and smooth cream cheese creates a party-ready snack that disappears faster than you can serve them.

These rolls are so addictive, you’ll want to double the batch for hungry guests.

Prepare to be the hero of any gathering with this simple yet spectacular recipe.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 9

Get Ingredients For Savory Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls Recipe

For Meat Base:
  • Ground Sausage: Provides rich, hearty flavor and protein foundation, choose fresh pork sausage with balanced fat content for best taste.
  • Rotel Tomatoes: Adds zesty southwestern kick with hints of green chilies, look for no-salt-added version for better sodium control.
For Creamy Binding Ingredients:
  • Cream Cheese: Creates smooth, luxurious texture and tangy undertone, select full-fat version for maximum richness.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Introduces sharp, melty goodness, opt for sharp variety to enhance overall depth of flavor.
For Seasoning Enhancers:
  • Garlic Powder: Delivers subtle aromatic warmth without fresh garlic chunks.
  • Onion Powder: Provides gentle sweet-savory background note.
  • Black Pepper: Adds mild spiciness and subtle heat.
For Dough Base:
  • Crescent Roll Dough: Supplies flaky, buttery vessel for filling, choose refrigerated tube for convenience.
For Optional Finishing:
  • Beaten Egg: Creates golden, glossy exterior when brushed on top of rolls.
For Dipping Options:
  • Ranch Dressing: Offers cool, creamy complementary sauce.
  • Salsa: Provides tangy, fresh accompaniment.
  • Honey Mustard: Introduces sweet-tangy contrast to savory rolls.

Tools You’ll Need For Savory Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls Recipe

  • Skillet: Large, heavy-bottomed pan for browning sausage and mixing ingredients.
  • Baking sheet: Metal tray lined with parchment paper for even baking of crescent rolls.
  • Mixing bowl: For combining sausage, cream cheese, and seasonings.
  • Spatula: To stir and mix ingredients smoothly.
  • Measuring spoons: For accurate seasoning measurements.
  • Sharp knife: Optional, for chopping or precise ingredient handling.
  • Pastry brush: For optional egg wash to create golden crust.

How To Make Savory Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls Recipe

  • Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 375F and grab a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

  • Brown the Meat

Sizzle the sausage in a skillet until it’s perfectly golden. Drain any extra grease. Stir in Rotel, cream cheese, and spices until everything blends like best friends.

  • Wrap and Roll

Spread out those crescent triangles. Dollop the sausage mixture on the wide end of each triangle. Roll them up tight, tucking in the sides so nothing escapes.

  • Bake to Perfection

Arrange the rolls on the baking sheet with the seam facing down. For an extra gorgeous shine, brush with beaten egg. Slide into the oven and bake until they turn a beautiful golden brown, about 12-15 minutes.

  • Dive In

Pull these beauties out and serve piping hot. Grab your favorite dipping sauce – ranch, salsa, or honey mustard will make these rolls sing!

Tips To Improve Savory Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls Recipe

  • Quick Flavor Boost: Add a dash of cayenne or crushed red pepper flakes to the sausage mixture for extra heat and zesty kick.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the sausage filling up to 24 hours in advance and store in the refrigerator to save time on busy days.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular crescent roll dough with gluten-free crescent roll dough or use gluten-free puff pastry for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Vegetarian Twist: Replace sausage with plant-based ground meat alternative or crumbled vegetarian sausage to create a meatless version of the recipe.
  • Cheese Lover's Hack: Experiment with different cheese combinations like pepper jack, monterey jack, or smoked gouda to add unique flavor profiles to the filling.

Serve Savory Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls Recipe

  • Brunch Buddy Delight: Pair these rolls with a fresh garden salad and crisp mimosas for a weekend morning feast that will impress your friends and family.
  • Tailgate Party Star: Wrap these rolls in foil and pack in a cooler for game day – they're perfect finger food that travels well and stays deliciously warm.
  • Appetizer Adventure: Slice rolls into bite-sized pieces for crowd-pleasing party snacks, serving alongside cool dipping sauces like zesty ranch or spicy sriracha mayo.
  • Meal Prep Magic: Prepare extra filling and rolls ahead of time, then freeze unbaked for a quick grab-and-go breakfast or quick weeknight dinner option that saves time and satisfies hunger.

Store Savory Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls Recipe

  • Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover rolls in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Wrap each roll individually in aluminum foil to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
  • Freezing Friendly Hack: Freeze unbaked or baked rolls by layering them between wax paper in a freezer-safe container. Frozen unbaked rolls stay fresh for 2 months, while baked rolls maintain quality for 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Reheating Perfect Technique: Warm refrigerated or thawed rolls in a preheated oven at 325F for 8-10 minutes. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent soggy texture. Brush with a tiny bit of butter before reheating to restore crispy exterior.
  • Meal Prep Champion: Prepare sausage mixture and roll filling one day ahead. Store mixture in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake rolls just before serving to ensure maximum freshness and crisp texture.
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Hearty Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls Recipe

Hearty Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls Recipe


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4.8 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Hearty crescent rolls with Rotel sausage & cream cheese blend delightful flavors into one irresistible appetizer. Guests will crave these zesty rolls that combine spicy sausage, melted cream cheese, and buttery pastry for an instant crowd-pleaser.


Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ lb (226.8 g) ground sausage (pork, turkey, or chicken)
  • 4 oz (113.4 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 (8 oz / 226.8 g) can refrigerated crescent roll dough
  • 1 (10 oz / 283.5 g) can rotel (diced tomatoes & green chilies), drained well
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ cup (118 ml) shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
  • 1 egg (for egg wash, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 375F (190C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cooking results.
  2. Sausage Transformation: Cook ground sausage in a skillet over medium heat, thoroughly draining excess fat to create a crisp base for the filling.
  3. Flavor Fusion: Combine sausage with Rotel tomatoes, cream cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper, mixing until ingredients create a cohesive, aromatic blend. Allow mixture to cool slightly.
  4. Cheese Integration: Fold sharp cheddar cheese into the sausage mixture, ensuring uniform flavor distribution.
  5. Dough Handling: Carefully separate crescent dough triangles, creating a delicate base for the filling.
  6. Assembly Process: Place a generous spoonful of sausage mixture on the wider end of each triangle. Roll from the broad end, meticulously sealing edges to prevent filling from escaping during baking.
  7. Baking Preparation: Arrange rolled crescents on the prepared baking sheet with seam-side down, ensuring a neat presentation.
  8. Optional Finishing: Enhance visual appeal by gently brushing the exterior with beaten egg for a golden, glossy finish.
  9. Culinary Transformation: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until crescents turn golden brown and crispy.
  10. Serving Suggestion: Present warm crescents with complementary dipping sauces like ranch, salsa, or honey mustard to elevate the flavor experience.

Notes

  • Optimize Sausage Browning: Ensure ground sausage is thoroughly cooked and crumbled for even texture and maximum flavor infusion.
  • Prevent Soggy Filling: Allow sausage mixture to cool slightly before stuffing crescents to prevent dough from becoming wet and losing crispness.
  • Control Cheese Distribution: Gently fold cheese into mixture to avoid clumping, creating consistent flavor in every bite.
  • Seal Crescent Edges: Pinch dough edges firmly to prevent filling leakage during baking, maintaining a clean and professional appearance.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 480 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 9 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

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