Description
Savory Rotel cream cheese sausage balls deliver a zesty kick of southern comfort, blending spicy sausage, tangy cream cheese, and zesty Rotel tomatoes into irresistible bite-sized appetizers. Guests will devour these crowd-pleasing morsels that promise to become a party favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (450g) uncooked ground sausage
- 2 cups (200g) shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 1 ½ cups (180g) Bisquick baking mix
- 8 ounces (225g) cream cheese, softened
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 can (10 ounces/283g) Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained
Instructions
- Prepare your culinary workspace by positioning an oven rack in the center and heating to 400F (200C), ensuring a thoroughly warmed environment for baking.
- Select a spacious mixing vessel and combine ground sausage, softened cream cheese, drained Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, Bisquick mix, and shredded Mexican cheese. Utilize a stand mixer or robust mixing technique to integrate ingredients until uniformly blended.
- Create uniform spherical portions by gently rolling the mixture between palms, aiming for consistent 1-inch diameter balls. For enhanced manageability, briefly chill the mixture in the refrigerator to firm the texture.
- Cover a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, strategically positioning sausage spheres with modest spacing to promote even heat circulation.
- Transfer the prepared baking sheet into the preheated oven, allowing the sausage balls to transform into golden-brown delicacies. Monitor closely, rotating the sheet midway if necessary, and remove after approximately 18-20 minutes when surfaces appear crisp and interiors reach optimal doneness.
- Remove from oven and permit a brief cooling period, allowing the sausage balls to stabilize and intensify their robust flavors before serving.
Notes
- Chill the mixture before shaping to prevent sticky hands and ensure easier ball formation.
- Use a small cookie scoop for uniform-sized sausage balls, creating consistent cooking and appealing presentation.
- Drain Rotel tomatoes thoroughly to prevent excess moisture that could make the mixture too wet and affect texture.
- For gluten-free option, substitute Bisquick with almond flour or gluten-free baking mix and check sausage ingredients for gluten content.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like sharp cheddar or pepper jack to add extra flavor complexity.
- Make ahead and freeze uncooked sausage balls for quick future appetizers, storing in airtight container up to 3 months.
- Reduce sodium by using low-sodium sausage and checking Rotel and cheese salt content.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 50mg