Here’s a full, detailed, step-by-step recipe for Irresistible Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls—cheesy, savory, and perfect for parties or snacks 😋
🌶️🧀 Irresistible Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
Yield
About 35–40 sausage balls
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
20–25 minutes
Total Time
About 40 minutes
🧾 Ingredients
-
1 lb (16 oz) breakfast sausage
(mild, hot, or spicy—your choice) -
8 oz cream cheese, softened
(very important for easy mixing) -
1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes & green chilies, well drained
-
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
(sharp cheddar gives the best flavor) -
1¾ cups Bisquick baking mix
-
½ teaspoon garlic powder
-
¼ teaspoon onion powder
-
¼ teaspoon black pepper
-
Optional: ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (for extra heat)
👩🍳 Directions
1. Preheat & Prepare
-
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
-
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. Drain the Rotel
-
Place the Rotel in a strainer and press firmly with a spoon.
-
Remove as much liquid as possible—this is key so the sausage balls aren’t soggy.
3. Mix the Base
In a large mixing bowl:
-
Add the raw sausage and softened cream cheese.
-
Mix until mostly combined (hands work best, but a sturdy spoon is okay).
4. Add Flavor
-
Mix in the drained Rotel, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and optional cayenne.
-
Stir until evenly distributed.
5. Add the Bisquick
-
Gradually add the Bisquick baking mix.
-
Mix until a thick dough forms.
👉 If it feels too sticky, let it rest 2–3 minutes.
6. Form the Sausage Balls
-
Scoop or roll into 1-inch balls (about the size of a golf ball).
-
Place them 1 inch apart on the baking sheet.
7. Bake
-
Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until:
-
Golden brown
-
Fully cooked inside
-
Slightly crisp on the outside
-
8. Cool & Serve
-
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
-
Serve warm for best flavor.
⭐ Tips for the BEST Sausage Balls
-
Soft cream cheese = smoother mixing
-
Sharp cheddar gives stronger flavor
-
Use gloves when mixing to keep hands clean
-
If they brown too fast, loosely tent with foil
❄️ Make-Ahead & Storage
Make Ahead
-
Roll balls and refrigerate (uncooked) up to 24 hours.
-
Bake fresh when ready.
Freeze
-
Freeze uncooked or cooked balls up to 2 months.
-
Bake from frozen at 375°F, adding 5–7 minutes.
Reheat
-
Oven: 350°F for 8–10 minutes
-
Microwave: 20–30 seconds (softer texture)