If you’re searching for a show-stopping, crowd-pleasing treat that’s truly effortless to make, look no further than the Easy Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents Recipe. This savory sensation wraps spicy sausage, tangy tomatoes and chilies, and velvety cream cheese inside buttery crescent rolls. Whether you’re feeding a hungry brunch crowd, prepping snacks for game day, or just craving a cozy bite, these crescents hit all the right notes—gooey, golden, and packed with flavor in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes the Easy Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents Recipe shine is its short, no-fuss ingredient list. Each item adds something essential, from creamy richness to a hint of heat, ensuring every roll is bursting with flavor and irresistible texture.
- Ground breakfast sausage: Provides a savory, meaty base—choose regular, spicy, or even a sage variety for different flavor twists.
- Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies: Brightens up the filling with tangy tomatoes and a touch of heat; make sure to drain well for the best texture.
- Cream cheese (softened): Melts into the sausage mixture, creating a rich, creamy filling that holds everything together beautifully.
- Refrigerated crescent roll dough: These golden, flaky rolls are the ultimate shortcut—just unroll, fill, and bake for instant deliciousness.
- Egg (beaten, optional): An easy egg wash gives your crescents a gorgeous, bakery-style sheen and a little extra crunch.
How to Make Easy Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures your crescents will bake up perfectly golden and flaky while you prep the filling. Don’t skip this step—it’s the secret to that irresistible bakery finish!
Step 2: Cook the Sausage
Place your ground breakfast sausage in a skillet over medium heat. Break it up as it cooks, stirring frequently until it’s fully browned and no pink remains. Drain off any excess grease so your filling stays rich but not greasy.
Step 3: Add Rotel and Cream Cheese
With the sausage cooked, stir in the drained Rotel tomatoes and green chilies. Reduce the heat to low and add the softened cream cheese. Mix everything together until the cream cheese is completely melted and the filling is smooth, creamy, and evenly combined. Let the mixture cool for a few minutes before assembling—this helps the crescents hold their shape.
Step 4: Fill and Roll the Crescents
Unroll your crescent dough and separate it into triangles. Place a heaping tablespoon of the sausage mixture onto the wide end of each triangle. Starting at the wide end, roll up each crescent toward the point, gently tucking in the sides as you go to keep the filling inside. Arrange the filled crescents seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step 5: Add Egg Wash (Optional)
If you want a glossy, golden finish, brush the tops of your crescents with a beaten egg. It’s a quick extra step that makes your Easy Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents Recipe look straight out of a bakery window.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake the crescents in your preheated oven for 12–14 minutes, or until they’re puffed and deeply golden. Let them cool for a couple of minutes before serving—if you can resist diving in right away!
How to Serve Easy Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents Recipe
Garnishes
To add a little extra flair, sprinkle your crescents with fresh chopped parsley, a dusting of paprika, or even a pinch of flaky sea salt right after baking. These simple touches bring color and a little burst of fresh flavor to every bite.
Side Dishes
Pair your Easy Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents Recipe with a crisp green salad, fresh fruit, or a bowl of tomato soup for a hearty meal. If you’re serving them for brunch, fresh berries or a platter of roasted potatoes are always a hit.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange the crescents on a large platter with a swirl of sriracha mayo or ranch dressing for dipping. For parties, stack them in a pyramid and garnish with fresh herbs for an eye-catching appetizer centerpiece everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover crescents in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay delicious for up to three days, making them a perfect grab-and-go snack or quick breakfast treat.
Freezing
To freeze, let the baked crescents cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. They’ll keep beautifully for up to two months. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply thaw overnight in the fridge or reheat straight from frozen.
Reheating
For the best texture, reheat crescents in a 350°F oven or air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through and crispy. The microwave works in a pinch, but the oven keeps them flaky and golden.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Appetizer
Absolutely! Feel free to use spicy, mild, turkey, or even vegetarian sausage crumbles. Each variation will give your Easy Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents Recipe a unique twist.
What if I can’t find Rotel tomatoes?
If Rotel isn’t available, substitute with any brand of diced tomatoes and green chilies or use diced tomatoes and a small can of chopped green chilies. Just be sure to drain them well to avoid a soggy filling.
Can I prep these in advance for a party?
Definitely! Assemble the crescents and place them on a baking sheet, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 8 hours before baking. Pop them in the oven just before guests arrive for fresh, hot appetizers.
Is there a way to make these spicier?
For an extra kick, use hot breakfast sausage or the spicy variety of Rotel. You can also stir in a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the filling before rolling up the crescents.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes! The Easy Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents Recipe is easy to scale up—just double all the ingredients and bake in batches if needed. Perfect for feeding a hungry crowd.
Final Thoughts
Once you’ve tried the Easy Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents Recipe, it’s sure to become a repeat favorite for family brunches, parties, or any day you crave something warm and comforting. Give it a go and watch these little golden rolls disappear faster than you can say “seconds!” Happy baking!
Print
Easy Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 16 crescents
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Easy Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents recipe combines flavorful ground breakfast sausage with creamy cheese and zesty Rotel tomatoes, all wrapped in buttery crescent rolls. Perfect for parties, game days, or a quick breakfast on the go, these golden crescent bites are delicious, satisfying, and simple to make.
Ingredients
Sausage Mixture
- 1 pound ground breakfast sausage
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
Crescent Rolls
- 2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1 egg, beaten (optional, for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking.
- Cook Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground breakfast sausage thoroughly, breaking it apart with a spoon until fully browned. Drain off any excess grease for a cleaner taste.
- Add Rotel and Cream Cheese: Stir in the drained Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies with the cooked sausage. Lower the heat to low and add the softened cream cheese. Mix continuously until the cream cheese melts and evenly blends with the sausage mixture. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Prepare Crescent Rolls: Unroll the refrigerated crescent dough and separate it into individual triangles.
- Fill and Roll: Spoon approximately one heaping tablespoon of the sausage mixture onto the wide end of each crescent triangle. Roll each triangle from the wide end toward the pointed tip, ensuring the filling stays inside and the dough is slightly sealed.
- Apply Egg Wash (Optional): Place the rolled crescents on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. For a beautiful golden finish, brush the tops lightly with the beaten egg.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-14 minutes or until the crescents turn golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the crescents cool for a couple of minutes before serving warm.
Notes
- These crescents are perfect for parties, game days, or a quick, delicious breakfast on the go.
- For extra spice, use spicy sausage or hot Rotel tomatoes and chilies.
- Serve best when warm, but leftovers reheat well in an oven or air fryer.
- You can skip the egg wash if you prefer a softer crust rather than a shiny, golden one.
- Make sure to drain excess grease after cooking the sausage to avoid soggy crescents.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 crescent
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 370mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
