Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents Recipe
If you’re craving a snack that’s bursting with bold, savory flavors and creamy goodness, the Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents Recipe is your new go-to. This delightful appetizer combines spicy Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies with rich cream cheese and hearty breakfast sausage, all wrapped in perfectly flaky crescent rolls. It’s a favorite for gatherings, game days, or anytime you want a crowd-pleasing treat that comes together quickly and effortlessly.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents Recipe calls for a handful of simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that pack a ton of flavor. Each component plays an essential role in creating layers of texture and taste—from the spicy kick and moisture of the Rotel to the creamy, smooth filling mingling with savory sausage, topped off by a golden, buttery crescent crust.
- Breakfast sausage (1-lb roll): Provides the main savory base with a juicy, meaty texture; make sure it’s fully cooked and crumbled for even mixing.
- Cream cheese (8 oz, softened): Adds a rich, creamy layer that balances the spice and binds the filling together smoothly.
- Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies (10-oz can, drained very well): Brings a spicy, tangy punch with a touch of moisture that complements the sausage beautifully.
- Refrigerated crescent rolls (two 8-oz cans): The perfect flaky, buttery wrapper that turns these bites into irresistible golden crescents when baked.
How to Make Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Cook Sausage
First things first: preheat your oven to 375ºF to get it nice and hot for baking the crescents evenly. While the oven warms up, cook the breakfast sausage in a skillet over medium heat until it’s browned and crumbled with no pink left. This step builds the hearty, flavorful foundation your filling will be based on.
Step 2: Combine Filling Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the warm cooked sausage, softened cream cheese, and the well-drained Rotel tomatoes and green chilies. The cream cheese’s softness makes it easy to blend until the mixture is smooth and well combined, spreading those lovely spicy, creamy notes throughout every bite.
Step 3: Prepare the Crescent Rolls
Open the cans of refrigerated crescent rolls and carefully separate each dough sheet into triangles. To create smaller, more snackable crescents, cut each triangle in half lengthwise, ending up with two smaller triangles. This helps you get more pieces out of the batch—perfect for sharing!
Step 4: Fill and Roll the Crescents
Take a small cookie scoop or spoon and place a generous dollop of the sausage mixture at the wide end of each crescent triangle. Carefully roll the dough up from the wide end toward the point, sealing the filling inside. The crescent dough will puff up during baking, wrapping each flavorful filling bursting with creamy, spicy sausage.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place your filled crescents on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a nonstick surface. Bake them for about 15 minutes, or until the tops are beautifully golden brown and inviting. This finishing step gives you that irresistible flaky crust that encases all the deliciousness inside.
How to Serve Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents Recipe
Garnishes
These crescents are delightful on their own but pair beautifully with garnishes like freshly chopped cilantro or a light sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese just after baking. A drizzle of your favorite hot sauce or sour cream on the side can amplify the creaminess and spice for anyone craving an extra kick.
Side Dishes
Serve these crescents alongside a fresh garden salad, crisp veggie sticks with ranch dip, or a zesty salsa to balance out the rich, savory flavors. They also work perfectly alongside a steaming bowl of chili or a cool coleslaw for a more filling meal experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, arrange the crescents on a large platter with colorful garnishes like sliced green onions or diced red bell peppers for a burst of color. You can even thread them on skewers for a fun and easy-to-grab presentation. These simple touches turn this humble appetizer into a centerpiece everyone will be talking about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers from the Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents Recipe, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should stay fresh for up to 3 days, making it easy to enjoy these tasty bites even after the main event.
Freezing
Want to make these crescents ahead of time? Assemble them but don’t bake. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready, bake them straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to ensure they’re heated through and delicious.
Reheating
For the best texture, reheat leftover crescents in a preheated oven at 350ºF for about 10 minutes. This restores the flaky exterior and warms the filling perfectly, much better than microwaving, which can make the dough soggy.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of sausage for this recipe?
Absolutely! While breakfast sausage is traditional here, you can swap it for cooked and crumbled Italian sausage, spicy chorizo, or even ground turkey to suit your taste and dietary preferences. Each will bring a slightly different flavor profile to your crescents.
Do I have to drain the Rotel tomatoes thoroughly?
Yes, draining the Rotel well is important because excess liquid can make the filling too wet and may prevent the crescent dough from baking properly or become soggy. Patting them dry with a paper towel after draining also helps achieve a better texture.
Can these crescents be made vegetarian?
Definitely! Simply omit the sausage and add extra veggies like sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers to the cream cheese and Rotel mixture for a delicious vegetarian twist.
Is there a way to make these crescents spicier?
For more heat, add extra diced jalapeños, a pinch of cayenne pepper, or use a hotter variety of Rotel. You can also serve them with a spicy dipping sauce to turn up the flavor intensity.
How long do these crescents keep after baking?
Once baked, these crescents are best enjoyed within 2 to 3 days when stored in the fridge. Beyond that, the dough may lose its freshness and the filling could dry out slightly, so it’s best to eat them quickly or freeze for longer storage.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing, flavorful snack that’s easy to whip up and impossible to resist, the Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents Recipe is an absolute winner. It’s one of those recipes that brings comfort and excitement all at once, perfect for sharing with friends and family. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite appetizer!
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Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 32 servings 1x
Description
These Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer featuring savory cooked sausage mixed with creamy cheese and zesty diced tomatoes with green chilies, all wrapped in flaky crescent roll dough and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for parties, game days, or a quick snack, these bite-sized treats combine spicy and creamy flavors with a satisfying crispy exterior.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 (1-lb) roll breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled
- 1 (8-oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1 (10-oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained very well
- 2 (8-oz) cans refrigerated crescent rolls
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the crescent rolls evenly and to get them nice and golden brown.
- Mix Filling: In a large bowl, combine the cooked and crumbled breakfast sausage with softened cream cheese and the well-drained Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies. Mix thoroughly to create a creamy, flavorful sausage filling.
- Prepare Crescents: Separate the crescent roll dough into individual triangles. Then cut each triangle in half lengthwise, creating two smaller triangles from each original piece. This will make bite-sized crescent shapes perfect for appetizers.
- Fill and Roll: Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, place a scoop of the sausage filling onto each small crescent triangle. Carefully roll each one up, starting at the wide end and rolling toward the point, ensuring the filling is enclosed inside.
- Bake: Arrange the filled crescent rolls on a baking sheet spaced apart. Bake them in the preheated oven for approximately 15 minutes, or until the crescents are golden brown and cooked through.
Notes
- Make sure to drain the Rotel tomatoes and green chilies very well to prevent excess moisture from making the crescents soggy.
- For a spicier kick, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the sausage mixture.
- Serve warm for best taste and texture.
- These can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving.
- Substitute turkey sausage for a leaner option if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
