Cheesy Sausage Bites with Rotel & Cream Cheese Recipe

Creamy, cheesy, and packed with savory goodness, these rotel cream cheese sausage balls burst with irresistible flavor that keeps everyone coming back for more.

The combination of zesty rotel tomatoes adds a delightful kick to classic sausage balls.

Tender sausage blends seamlessly with rich cream cheese and sharp cheddar, creating a mouthwatering appetizer that disappears quickly at parties.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of spice and comfort.

Small enough to pop in one bite, these sausage balls work magic as game day snacks or holiday treats.

The simple recipe requires minimal prep and maximum enjoyment.

Dive into this crowd-pleasing appetizer that promises to become your new favorite go-to finger food.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 11

Ingredient List For Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

• Bisquick Baking Mix: Provides structure and helps bind ingredients together, choose a fresh box for optimal rise and texture.
• Cream Cheese: Adds rich creaminess and helps hold the mixture, select full-fat version for best flavor and consistency.

• Uncooked Sausage: Delivers hearty meat base and spicy notes, opt for fresh ground pork sausage with good fat content for juiciness.
• Mexican Cheese Blend: Introduces melty cheese complexity, select a pre-shredded blend for convenience and even distribution.

• Rotel Tomatoes and Green Chilies: Brings vibrant southwestern flair with tangy and spicy undertones, choose original blend for balanced heat and moisture.

Cooking Tools For Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining all ingredients thoroughly and easily.
• Electric Stand Mixer: Helps mix ingredients quickly and evenly, especially with dough hook attachment.
• Baking Sheet: Perfect for evenly baking sausage balls with crispy golden edges.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
• Cookie Scoop or Spoon: Creates uniform sausage balls of consistent size.

Quick Instructions For Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

• Oven Warmup

Get your oven ready by heating it to a toasty 400 degrees. This high temperature ensures your sausage bites will have a perfect golden crunch.

• Mixing Magic

Grab a big bowl and toss in your sausage, cream cheese, zesty Rotel, and shredded cheese. Dive in with your hands and blend everything together until it’s completely combined. The mixture should feel slightly sticky and hold together well.

• Ball Formation

Roll the mixture into bite-sized rounds, roughly the size of a golf ball. Don’t stress about making them perfectly uniform – rustic shapes are part of the charm. Place these tasty morsels on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little breathing room between each bite.

• Crispy Transformation

Slide the baking sheet into the hot oven and let the magic happen. In about 18-20 minutes, your sausage bites will transform into crispy, golden treasures with a spicy kick. They’re done when the edges turn a deep golden brown and the tops look irresistibly crunchy.

Tips And Flavor Swaps For Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

• Perfect Prep Secrets: Quick Mixing Hack – Use a stand mixer with a dough hook for effortless blending of ingredients, ensuring even distribution without overworking the mixture.
• Chilling Magic: Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes before forming balls, which helps ingredients bind together and makes shaping easier while preventing sticky hands.
• Make-Ahead Genius: Prepare sausage balls up to 24 hours in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Bake just before serving for maximum freshness and minimal prep time.
• Dietary Twist Options: For gluten-free version, replace Bisquick with gluten-free baking mix. Swap regular sausage with turkey sausage for a leaner option. Vegetarian lovers can experiment with plant-based sausage alternatives and dairy-free cream cheese for a completely meat-free adaptation.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust heat by choosing mild or hot Rotel tomatoes. For extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or use spicy sausage. Mild-loving guests can opt for plain diced tomatoes instead of Rotel.

Ways To Serve Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls Warm

• Party Platter Perfection: Arrange these zesty sausage balls on a large wooden board with toothpicks for easy grabbing during game nights or football watch parties.
• Dipping Delights: Serve alongside ranch dressing, spicy sriracha mayo, or tangy barbecue sauce to add extra flavor and excitement to each bite.
• Brunch Brilliance: Pair these savory bites with a fresh fruit salad and scrambled eggs for a delicious weekend morning spread that will impress family and friends.
• Appetizer Adventure: Create a colorful appetizer tray by mixing these sausage balls with other finger foods like mini quiches, vegetable sticks, and cheese cubes for a diverse and crowd-pleasing selection.

How To Store Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls And Keep Them Fresh

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store sausage balls in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring they remain fresh and tasty.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the sausage ball mixture in advance and keep it refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking, saving precious time during busy cooking sessions.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Arrange uncooked sausage balls on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer bags for storage up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen state, adding extra 5-7 minutes to cooking time.
• Perfect Reheating Technique: Warm refrigerated or thawed sausage balls in a preheated 350F oven for 10-12 minutes, ensuring they regain their crispy exterior and heated interior without drying out.

Cheesy Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

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4.6 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Savory Rotel cream cheese sausage balls deliver a zesty appetizer perfect for game day gatherings. Spicy sausage, creamy cheese, and tangy tomatoes combine into irresistible bite-sized morsels you’ll crave at every party.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (450g) ground sausage, uncooked
• 2 cups (200g) Mexican cheese blend, shredded
• 1 ½ cups (180g) Bisquick baking mix
• 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
• 1 can (10 oz/283g) Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained

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Instructions

1. Oven Preparation: Position oven rack centrally and preheat to 400F (200C), creating an ideal baking environment with consistent thermal distribution.
2. Mixture Integration: In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly combine ground sausage, cream cheese, drained Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, Bisquick mix, and shredded Mexican cheese. Blend ingredients until achieving a uniform, cohesive texture using a stand mixer or manual mixing technique to ensure comprehensive ingredient incorporation.
3. Ball Formation and Placement: Gently roll the mixture into uniform spherical portions approximately 1-inch in diameter. Arrange the sausage balls on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet, spacing them to allow optimal heat circulation and even cooking.
4. Baking Process: Slide the prepared baking sheet into the preheated oven. Bake for 18-20 minutes, rotating the sheet midway through cooking to guarantee consistent golden-brown coloration and complete internal cooking. Monitor closely to achieve a crisp exterior and thoroughly cooked interior.
5. Resting and Serving: Remove sausage balls from the oven and allow a brief cooling period. This resting phase enables flavor intensification and structural stabilization before serving, ensuring maximum taste and textural enjoyment.

Notes

• Chill Before Rolling: Refrigerate mixture for 15-20 minutes to make ball formation easier and prevent sticking to hands.
• Cheese Selection Matters: Use freshly shredded Mexican cheese for better melting and more robust flavor compared to pre-packaged options.
• Even Size Ensures Consistent Cooking: Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to create uniformly sized sausage balls, guaranteeing even baking and consistent texture.
• Moisture Management: Drain Rotel tomatoes thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from making the mixture too wet and compromising ball structure.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 10g
• Cholesterol: 40mg