Description
Cheesy, spicy rotel cream cheese sausage balls bring Southern comfort to party snacks with irresistible flavor. Packed with zesty peppers and rich cream cheese, these bite-sized treats promise to delight guests at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 lb ground pork sausage
- 1/2 lb breakfast sausage
Dairy:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Pantry and Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, drained
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring a non-stick surface for easy removal of sausage balls.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine ground pork sausage and breakfast sausage, breaking down the meat into fine, uniform pieces using a fork or your hands.
- Incorporate softened cream cheese into the meat mixture, blending thoroughly to create a smooth, cohesive texture that helps bind the ingredients.
- Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese, drained Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, ensuring even distribution of flavors throughout the mixture.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt – creating a consistent dough that holds together well.
- Using clean hands or a small scoop, form the mixture into bite-sized balls, approximately 1-inch in diameter, placing them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating the baking sheet halfway through to ensure uniform browning and crispy exteriors.
- Remove from the oven when the sausage balls are golden brown and slightly crisp, with an internal temperature reaching 160°F for food safety.
- Allow the sausage balls to rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, which helps them set and makes handling easier.
- Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy warm as a delightful appetizer or game-day snack.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother texture without lumps.
- Pat Rotel tomatoes dry with paper towels to prevent excess moisture that could make the sausage balls soggy.
- For a leaner version, substitute ground pork with turkey sausage and use reduced-fat cream cheese and cheddar.
- Prep these ahead by forming balls and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking, which can enhance flavor development.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg