Here’s a quick and crowd-pleasing recipe for Rotel Spiced Sausage & Cream Cheese Bites — a cheesy, spicy, and savory appetizer that’s perfect for parties, game days, or anytime you want something comforting and addictive.
🌶️ Rotel Spiced Sausage & Cream Cheese Bites
📝 Ingredients (Makes ~24 bites)
- 1 lb (450g) ground sausage (spicy or mild, your choice)
- 1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies (drained well)
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- 1¼ cups shredded cheddar cheese (or pepper jack for more kick)
- 1 tube (8 oz) crescent roll dough or puff pastry (or mini phyllo shells)
- Optional: chopped green onions, cilantro, or jalapeños for garnish
🍳 Instructions
1. Cook the sausage:
In a skillet over medium heat, cook sausage until fully browned and crumbly. Drain excess fat.
2. Mix the filling:
In a bowl, combine:
- Cooked sausage
- Drained Rotel tomatoes
- Softened cream cheese
- Shredded cheddar
Mix until smooth and creamy. (It will be slightly warm and spreadable.)
3. Prepare the dough base:
Option A – Crescent Roll Dough:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
- Unroll crescent dough and press into a flat sheet. Cut into 2–inch squares.
- Press each square into a mini muffin tin (spray tin with nonstick spray).
Option B – Puff Pastry or Phyllo Shells:
- Puff pastry: thaw, cut into squares, and press into mini muffin tins.
- Phyllo shells: place them on a baking sheet, no shaping needed.
4. Fill and bake:
- Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon of the sausage mixture into each dough cup or shell.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.
5. Garnish and serve:
Top with green onions or jalapeño slices for a fresh pop. Serve warm!
🔁 Make Ahead Tips
- You can prep the filling up to 2 days in advance and store in the fridge.
- Assemble bites and freeze unbaked — bake straight from frozen (add 3–5 extra minutes).