Description
Sizzling rotel cream cheese sausage balls bring Southern comfort to appetizer tables with irresistible charm. Savory sausage, zesty rotel, and creamy cheese combine in bite-sized morsels that spark party excitement and satisfy snack cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground sausage
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 can Rotel tomatoes, drained
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
Cheese and Seasoning:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring even coverage for consistent baking.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese and ground sausage, breaking down the meat and blending thoroughly until a uniform mixture forms.
- Drain Rotel tomatoes completely, gently patting with paper towels to remove excess moisture, then fold into the sausage-cream cheese blend.
- Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper in a separate bowl, creating a smooth, lump-free dry ingredient mixture.
- Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the sausage mixture, mixing gently but thoroughly to prevent overworking the dough.
- Fold in shredded cheddar cheese, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture for consistent flavor in each bite.
- Roll the mixture into bite-sized balls, approximately 1-inch in diameter, placing them evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until the sausage balls turn golden brown and develop a crispy exterior.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, allowing them to set and become easier to handle.
- Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy warm as a delightful appetizer or snack.
Notes
- Prep Ahead for Convenience: Mix the sausage, cream cheese, and dry ingredients the night before, cover, and refrigerate to save time on party day.
- Customize Spice Levels: Swap regular sausage for spicy varieties or add red pepper flakes for an extra kick of heat that’ll wake up taste buds.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend or almond flour to make these sausage balls celiac-friendly without losing texture.
- Storage and Reheating Trick: Freeze unbaked balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag for later. Bake directly from frozen, adding 5-7 minutes to cooking time for perfect appetizers anytime.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg