Rotel & Cream Cheese Sausage Balls – Savory Party Bite

These sausage balls combine flavorful sausage, creamy cheese, and a bit of heat and tang from Rotel tomatoes — making them an ideal appetizer or snack for gatherings, game day, or potlucks.


Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Simple to make with just a few ingredients
  • Rich, savory flavor with a creamy, cheesy texture
  • A hint of spice and tang from diced tomatoes
  • Perfect bite-sized treat — easy to serve and eat

Recipe Details

  • Prep Time: ~15 minutes
  • Cook Time: ~20–25 minutes
  • Total Time: ~35–40 minutes
  • Yield: ~30–40 sausage balls (depending on size)
  • Method: Baking
  • Diet: Meat / Savory Appetizer

Ingredients

  • 450 g (1 lb) sausage (bulk, not in casing)
  • 225 g (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 can (approx. 10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel), drained
  • 2 cups all-purpose biscuit or baking mix (e.g., Bisquick)
  • 1–2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for extra cheesiness)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven
    Preheat your oven to 200 °C (≈ 400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
  2. Mix Ingredients
    In a large bowl, combine the sausage, softened cream cheese, and drained diced tomatoes. Use a spoon or your hands to mix until evenly combined.
    Then, stir in the biscuit mix and shredded cheese (if using) until everything is well incorporated.
  3. Form Balls
    Using a small scoop or your hands, form the mixture into bite-sized balls (about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter). Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
  4. Bake
    Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the sausage balls are golden brown and cooked through.
  5. Serve
    Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Serve warm, ideally with dipping sauces like ranch, mustard, or a spicy ketchup.

You Must Know

  • Make sure the cream cheese is very soft so it mixes smoothly with the sausage.
  • Drain the diced tomatoes well — excess liquid can make the mixture too runny.
  • These sausage balls are quite rich — consider adding extra biscuit mix if the mixture feels too loose or greasy.

Storage Tips

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • To reheat: warm in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for a few minutes or microwave briefly until heated through.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Use turkey sausage or vegetarian sausage for a lighter or meat-free version.
  • Use a gluten-free biscuit mix for a gluten-free version.
  • Replace Rotel with regular diced tomatoes + a pinch of chili flakes if you don’t have it.

Serving Suggestions

  • Serve as a party appetizer with dipping sauces like ranch, BBQ, or hot pepper jelly.
  • Pair with deviled eggs, meatballs, or your favorite finger foods for a spread.
  • Serve alongside a cold beer or a refreshing cocktail for game day.

Pro Tips

  • Chill the mixture for 10 minutes before forming balls — this helps make them easier to shape.
  • Use a small cookie scoop for uniform-sized sausage balls.
  • If you like a crispier crust, bake on a wire rack set over the baking sheet so air circulates under the balls.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I freeze these?
Yes — after baking and cooling, freeze in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Reheat from frozen in a warm oven.

→ Can I use store-bought biscuit dough instead of mix?
You can try, but the texture and flavor may change. The baking mix helps bind and add flavor.

→ Will these be very spicy?
They’ll have a mild tang from the tomatoes and chilies, but you can use a mild or hot variety depending on your preference.


Final Thoughts

These Rotel & Cream Cheese Sausage Balls are a crowd-pleasing, easy-to-make appetizer with plenty of savory flavor and a touch of tangy spice. They’re perfect for serving warm at parties or snacking on without fuss.

Print
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Rotel & Cream Cheese Sausage Balls – Savory Party Bite


  • Author: Linda

Description

These sausage balls combine flavorful sausage, creamy cheese, and a bit of heat and tang from Rotel tomatoes — making them an ideal appetizer or snack for gatherings, game day, or potlucks.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 450 g (1 lb) sausage (bulk, not in casing)
  • 225 g (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

  • 1 can (approx. 10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel), drained

  • 2 cups all-purpose biscuit or baking mix (e.g., Bisquick)

  • 1–2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for extra cheesiness)


Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven
    Preheat your oven to 200 °C (≈ 400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

  2. Mix Ingredients
    In a large bowl, combine the sausage, softened cream cheese, and drained diced tomatoes. Use a spoon or your hands to mix until evenly combined.
    Then, stir in the biscuit mix and shredded cheese (if using) until everything is well incorporated.

  3. Form Balls
    Using a small scoop or your hands, form the mixture into bite-sized balls (about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter). Place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.

  4. Bake
    Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the sausage balls are golden brown and cooked through.

  5. Serve
    Remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Serve warm, ideally with dipping sauces like ranch, mustard, or a spicy ketchup.

Notes

  • Make sure the cream cheese is very soft so it mixes smoothly with the sausage.

  • Drain the diced tomatoes well — excess liquid can make the mixture too runny.

  • These sausage balls are quite rich — consider adding extra biscuit mix if the mixture feels too loose or greasy.

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