Zesty Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents Recipe

Creamy, savory rotel sausage brings unexpected magic to classic crescent rolls, creating an irresistible appetizer.

Packed with zesty flavor, these little bites promise to be the talk of any gathering.

Cheese melts into spicy sausage, wrapping everything in a golden, flaky embrace.

Comfort meets excitement in each perfectly crafted bundle of deliciousness.

Simple ingredients combine to deliver maximum taste with minimal effort.

Southern-style snacking reaches new heights with this crowd-pleasing recipe that disappears faster than you can serve them.

Prepare to become the most popular host at your next party.

Storing Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents for Freshness

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Keep the crescents flat to prevent soggy texture and maintain their crispy edges.
• Freeze: Wrap individual crescents tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months to preserve quality and taste.
• Reheating Oven Method: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Place crescents on baking sheet, cover loosely with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-12 minutes until heated through.
• Microwave Quick Option: Heat crescents on microwave-safe plate for 30-45 seconds. Check temperature and add 15-second intervals if needed, ensuring even warming without making them tough.

FAQs

• Can I use a different type of meat besides breakfast sausage?

Yes, ground turkey, chicken, or even chorizo work great as alternative protein options for this recipe.

• Is there a way to make these crescents spicier?

Add some hot sauce, red pepper flakes, or use a spicy variety of Rotel tomatoes to increase the heat level to your preference.

• How do I prevent the filling from leaking out during baking?

Make sure to seal the edges of the crescent dough completely and avoid overfilling each triangle to minimize potential leakage.

• Can I prepare these crescents ahead of time?

You can assemble the crescents in advance and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking, or freeze them unbaked for up to a month.

Why Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents Will Win You Over

• Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for game nights, potlucks, and casual gatherings where guests want something delicious and satisfying without complex preparation.
• Versatile Flavor Fusion: Combines spicy Rotel tomatoes, savory sausage, and creamy cheese into a mouthwatering bite-sized appetizer that appeals to multiple taste preferences.
• Super Simple Assembly: Requires minimal cooking skills, basic ingredients, and straightforward steps that even novice home cooks can master with confidence, making it a stress-free recipe option.
• Portable Party Snack: Compact, handheld crescents make these treats ideal for buffet-style events, picnics, or informal social gatherings where guests can easily grab and enjoy.

Ingredients Needed for Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents

• Breakfast Sausage: A savory protein that provides rich flavor and hearty texture to the crescents.
• Cream Cheese: A creamy ingredient that adds smooth richness and helps bind the filling together.
• Crescent Rolls: A soft, buttery pastry dough that serves as the delicate wrapper for the filling.

• Rotel Tomatoes, Green Chilies: A zesty combination that introduces a tangy and slightly spicy kick to the filling.

• Cooking Spray, Baking Sheet: Kitchen tools that ensure easy release and prevent sticking during baking.

How to Make Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Get your oven ready by cranking the temperature to 375°F. This will create the perfect cozy environment for baking your delicious crescents.

Step 2: Create Flavor Explosion

• Cooked breakfast sausage
• Cream cheese
• Rotel tomatoes and green chilies

Mix everything together until it’s completely blended and looks super appetizing.

Step 3: Prepare Crescent Dough

Gently unroll the crescent roll tube.

Slice each triangle lengthwise so you have two skinny triangles from each original piece.

Step 4: Stuff and Roll

Scoop a generous dollop of your sausage mixture onto the wide end of each triangle.

Roll the dough from the wide end to the pointy tip, making sure the filling stays tucked inside.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place your filled crescents on a baking sheet, giving them some breathing room.

Slide the sheet into the hot oven and bake for about 15 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when they turn a beautiful golden-brown color.

Let them cool for a few minutes before diving in.

Insider Tips for Perfect Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents

• Drain Rotel thoroughly to prevent soggy crescents and maintain the perfect texture.
• Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother, easier mixing and better ingredient integration.
• Try different sausage varieties like spicy Italian or chorizo for unique flavor profiles.
• Consider low-fat cream cheese and turkey sausage for a lighter, healthier version of the recipe.
• Freeze unbaked crescents for quick future meals by placing them on a baking sheet, freezing until solid, then transferring to a freezer bag for storage.

Flavorful Twists on Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents

• Spicy Jalapeño Popper Crescents: Replace Rotel with diced fresh jalapeños and add shredded cheddar cheese for a fiery kick.
• Vegetarian Southwest Crescents: Swap sausage with black beans, use plant-based cream cheese, and incorporate roasted corn kernels for protein and texture.
• Low-Carb Lettuce Wrap Version: Skip crescent rolls entirely, use large lettuce leaves as wraps, and fill with sausage mixture for a keto-friendly alternative.
• Gluten-Free Pastry Option: Utilize gluten-free crescent roll dough or replace with almond flour-based pastry to accommodate wheat-sensitive diets.

Best Pairings with Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents

• Serve with a zesty jalapeño margarita that complements the southwestern flavors of the Rotel tomatoes and green chilies, creating a bold and vibrant taste experience.
• Prepare a fresh cucumber-dill yogurt dip that provides a cool, creamy contrast to the warm and spicy crescents, balancing the rich sausage and cream cheese filling.
• Pair with a light Mexican lager or a crisp pilsner that cuts through the richness of the dish, offering a refreshing palate cleanser between bites.
• Toss together a quick avocado and tomato salad with lime juice and cilantro to add a bright, fresh element that enhances the southwestern profile of the crescents.

Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents Recipe

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4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Rotel sausage & cream cheese crescents bring hearty southwestern flavors to party appetizers. Quick finger foods promise zesty bites with spicy sausage, melted cream cheese, and crisp crescent dough that guests will devour.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb breakfast sausage (adequately cooked and crumbled)
• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese (brought to room temperature)
• 10 oz (283 g) can of rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies (thoroughly drained)
• 2 cans (8 oz or 226 g each) refrigerated crescent rolls

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375ºF, creating an ideal environment for baking crispy, golden crescents.
2. In a mixing bowl, thoroughly blend crumbled breakfast sausage, softened cream cheese, and drained Rotel tomatoes with green chilies until ingredients are evenly distributed.
3. Gently unroll crescent roll dough and split each triangle lengthwise, creating two narrow triangular shapes.
4. Scoop a precise portion of the sausage-cheese mixture onto the wider end of each triangular dough piece.
5. Carefully roll the dough from the wide end toward the pointed tip, completely enclosing the filling within each crescent.
6. Position the filled crescents on a baking sheet, maintaining equal spacing between each piece to ensure uniform cooking.
7. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, watching for a rich golden-brown color that signals perfect doneness.
8. Remove crescents from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes to cool slightly before serving, allowing the filling to set and flavors to meld.

Notes

• Crumble sausage completely to ensure even distribution and prevent large chunks that might tear the dough.
• Pat Rotel tomatoes dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture from making crescents soggy.
• Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother mixing and easier spreading inside the crescent dough.
• Experiment with different sausage types like spicy chorizo or turkey sausage for unique flavor variations.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 359 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 640 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 13 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 11 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg