Here’s a recipe for Irresistible Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls—a perfect appetizer or snack for parties, holidays, or just a tasty treat. The combination of sausage, cream cheese, and Rotel tomatoes gives these savory bites an amazing flavor and creamy texture.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb breakfast sausage (mild or spicy, based on your preference)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained (you can use the original or mild version)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional, for a little extra flavor)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent the sausage balls from sticking.
2. Combine the Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the sausage, softened cream cheese, drained Rotel, shredded cheddar cheese, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika (if using), salt, pepper, and baking powder.
- Use your hands or a spoon to mix everything together until fully incorporated. The mixture will be thick and a bit sticky.
3. Form the Sausage Balls:
- Using your hands, scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the sausage mixture and roll it into a ball. Place the sausage ball onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Continue until all the mixture is used, spacing the balls about 1 inch apart on the baking sheet.
4. Bake:
- Bake the sausage balls in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. You’ll know they’re done when they’re firm to the touch and lightly browned on the outside.
5. Serve:
- Remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
- These sausage balls are delicious served warm, and you can dip them in additional ranch dressing, ketchup, or your favorite dipping sauce if desired.
Tips:
- Make it spicy: If you love heat, use the “Hot” version of Rotel, or add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the mixture.
- Freezing: These sausage balls freeze really well. You can freeze them before baking and then bake from frozen—just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
- Add-ins: Feel free to mix in chopped jalapeños, green onions, or extra cheese for an even more customized flavor.
These Irresistible Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls are a savory, cheesy treat that’s sure to be a hit at any gathering! Enjoy! 🧀🌶️🍴