Introduction
Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls are a quick, crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s cheesy, savory, and slightly spicy. Perfect for game days, parties, or potlucks, they combine sausage, cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and diced Rotel tomatoes in bite-sized balls that bake to golden perfection.
⏱️ Prep Time
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 25–30 minutes
- Total Time: About 40 minutes
🧰 Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper (optional)
- Spoon or cookie scoop
- Oven
📝 Ingredients (Makes ~24 balls)
- 1 lb (450 g) breakfast sausage (mild or spicy)
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 (10 oz / 280 g) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1½ cups Bisquick or all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
📌 Ingredient Notes
- Sausage: Use fully cooked or raw breakfast sausage—both work, but raw cooks as the balls bake.
- Rotel: Adds a mild kick and moisture—drain well to avoid soggy balls.
- Flour: Bisquick makes them lighter; all-purpose flour works fine too.
👩🍳 Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese and sausage. Mix until smooth and uniform.
- Stir in shredded cheddar cheese and drained Rotel tomatoes.
- Gradually add Bisquick or flour and garlic powder, mixing until a thick dough forms.
- Scoop mixture and roll into 1–1.5 inch balls. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.
🧾 Nutrition Facts (Approx. per ball)
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Protein: 6 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fat: 10 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
💡 Tips
- Chill the dough for 10 minutes if too soft to roll.
- Serve with ranch or spicy dipping sauce for extra flavor.
- Can be made ahead and frozen before baking—just add 5–7 minutes to baking time.
- Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized balls.
🔄 Variations
- Spicy Sausage Balls: Use hot sausage or add extra diced jalapeños.
- Cheese Lovers: Add extra cheddar or mix in pepper jack.
- Low-Carb Option: Replace Bisquick with almond flour.
- Mini Bites: Make smaller, bite-sized balls for party platters.
