ROTEL CREAM CHEESE SAUSAGE BALLS

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Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

This popular party appetizer combines spicy Rotel tomatoes with creamy cheese and savory sausage into irresistible bite-sized snacks—perfect for game day, holidays, or any gathering!

Ingredients

· 1 lb ground breakfast sausage (regular or spicy)
· 8 oz cream cheese, softened
· 1 cup (4 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
· 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained well
· 2 cups Bisquick baking mix
· ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)
· ½ tsp onion powder (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep – Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Combine – In a large bowl, use your hands or a mixer to thoroughly combine sausage, softened cream cheese, cheddar cheese, drained Rotel, Bisquick, and optional seasonings until evenly mixed.
  3. Scoop – Using a tablespoon or small cookie scoop, form mixture into 1-inch balls and place on baking sheet, about 1 inch apart.
  4. Bake – Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and sausage is cooked through (internal temperature of 160°F).
  5. Cool & Serve – Let cool 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm.

Tips for Success

✅ Drain Rotel well – Press in a fine mesh strainer to remove excess liquid (prevents soggy balls)
✅ Use softened cream cheese – Cold cream cheese won’t mix evenly
✅ Don’t overwork – Just mix until combined to keep tender texture
✅ Make ahead – Form balls, refrigerate up to 24 hours, bake just before serving

Flavor Variations

· Jalapeño Popper – Add ¼ cup diced pickled jalapeños + swap cheddar for pepper jack
· Buffalo Style – Add ¼ cup buffalo sauce + use shredded mozzarella
· Italian – Use Italian sausage + add 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Dipping Sauces

· Ranch dressing
· Sour cream or Greek yogurt
· Queso dip
· Honey mustard

Storage & Reheating

· Fridge: Store cooled leftovers airtight up to 4 days
· Freeze: Place uncooked balls on tray, freeze solid, then transfer to bag. Bake from frozen, adding 5–10 minutes
· Reheat: Microwave briefly or warm in 350°F oven 5–8 minutes

Perfectly spicy, cheesy, and crowd-pleasing every time!

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