Spicy Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls Recipe for Game Day

Crafting delectable rotel cream cheese sausage balls brings unexpected joy to every gathering.

Savory aromas will soon fill your kitchen with mouthwatering anticipation.

Guests always react with delighted surprise when these bite-sized treats appear.

Soft cream cheese creates a luxurious texture that melts perfectly with spicy sausage.

Roasted until golden brown, these appetizers promise irresistible flavor in every single bite.

Mixing ingredients becomes a simple dance of culinary creativity.

We promise these sausage balls will become your new favorite party starter.

Why Rotel Sausage Balls Are So Addictive

• Crush Game Day Favorite: Perfect for sports gatherings, game nights, and potlucks with an irresistible flavor that keeps everyone coming back for more.
• Customize Your Kick: Easily adjust spice levels by selecting mild or hot Rotel, making these sausage balls adaptable to different taste preferences and crowd requirements.
• Quick Party Pleaser: Minimal preparation steps and basic ingredients transform this recipe into a speedy appetizer that delivers maximum taste with minimal kitchen effort.
• Crowd-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Bite-sized portions make these sausage balls super shareable, encouraging social interaction and satisfying diverse appetites without complicated serving techniques.

Everything Needed for Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

• Ground Sausage: A flavorful meat base that provides a rich and savory foundation for the sausage balls.
• Cream Cheese: Adds a creamy texture and tangy flavor that helps bind the ingredients together.
• Rotel: A zesty blend of diced tomatoes and green chilies that brings a spicy kick and moisture to the recipe.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Contributes a sharp, cheesy flavor and helps create a melty texture.

• Bisquick Mix: A convenient baking mix that serves as a binding agent and provides a light, fluffy texture.

• Garlic Powder, Smoked Paprika: These spices add depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile of the sausage balls.

How to Make Rotel Sausage Balls with Ease

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to a toasty 375F (190C). Prepare a baking sheet by either laying down parchment paper or giving it a light greasing to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create the Flavor Explosion

• Ground sausage
• Softened cream cheese
• Drained Rotel tomatoes
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Bisquick mix
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika

Dive in with your hands and mix everything until it becomes a harmonious blend of deliciousness.

Step 3: Shape the Tasty Morsels

Using your hands or a handy cookie scoop, roll the mixture into bite-sized balls about 1 inch in diameter.

Arrange these flavor bombs on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little breathing room between each one.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven.

Let these beauties bake for 20-25 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown and the sausage is fully cooked through.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Carefully remove the sausage balls from the oven and let them cool for a few moments.

Plate them up and serve alongside ranch dressing or hot sauce for an extra kick of flavor. Watch them disappear in seconds!

Top Tips for Rotel Sausage Ball Success

• Drain Rotel tomatoes thoroughly to prevent excess moisture that could make sausage balls soggy and lose their crispy texture.
• Use room temperature cream cheese for easier mixing and smoother consistency when combining ingredients.
• Choose spicy or mild sausage depending on your preferred heat level, allowing flexibility for different taste preferences.
• Test doneness by cutting one sausage ball in half to ensure fully cooked internal temperature reaches 160°F for food safety.
• Prepare extra batches and freeze uncooked sausage balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags for quick future appetizers.

Tasty Ways to Customize These Sausage Balls

• Vegetarian Swap: Replace ground sausage with plant-based crumbles or chopped mushrooms for a meat-free version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Substitute Bisquick with almond flour or gluten-free baking mix to accommodate wheat sensitivities.
• Spicy Kick Variation: Add diced jalapeños or increase smoked paprika for extra heat and bold flavor profile.
• Keto-Friendly Adaptation: Use low-carb baking mix, full-fat cream cheese, and choose spicy breakfast sausage to align with ketogenic dietary requirements.

Perfect Pairings for Rotel Sausage Ball Snacks

• Whip up a homemade ranch dressing with fresh herbs like chives and dill to complement the spicy, cheesy sausage balls. The cool, tangy ranch cuts through the rich sausage and provides a refreshing contrast.
• Select a light lager or pale ale to balance the hearty, spicy sausage balls. The beer's carbonation and mild hoppy flavor cleanse the palate between bites, enhancing the overall tasting experience.
• Prepare a simple mixed green salad with cucumber and light vinaigrette to offset the dense, rich sausage balls. The crisp, fresh greens provide a nutritional balance and textural variety to the appetizer.

How to Store Rotel Sausage Balls the Right Way

• Store cooled sausage balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Place completely cooled sausage balls on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum flavor and texture.
• Spread frozen or refrigerated sausage balls on a baking sheet, cover with foil, and warm at 350F for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for the last 3 minutes to crisp edges.

FAQs

• Are these sausage balls spicy?

The heat level depends on the type of sausage and Rotel you use. Mild sausage and original Rotel will be less spicy, while hot sausage or spicy Rotel will increase the kick.

• Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the sausage balls and refrigerate them uncooked for up to 24 hours before baking. You can also freeze them unbaked for up to 3 months.

• What kind of sausage works best?

Breakfast sausage like Jimmy Dean works perfectly. Choose regular or hot depending on your spice preference. Avoid Italian sausage as it has different seasonings.

Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls Recipe

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4.7 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Sizzling rotel cream cheese sausage balls combine zesty flavors for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that packs serious punch. Savory sausage, tangy cream cheese, and spicy rotel tomatoes create irresistible bite-sized morsels you’ll crave at every gathering.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (1 lb) ground sausage
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 8 ounces (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

Spices and Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

Moisture and Binding Ingredients:

• 1 can (10 ounces) Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained
• 1 1/2 cups Bisquick mix (or any pancake/baking mix)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the workspace by setting the oven to 375F (190C) and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or applying a light grease coating.
2. In a spacious mixing vessel, thoroughly amalgamate ground sausage, softened cream cheese, drained Rotel, shredded cheddar, Bisquick mix, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until the ingredients form a uniform mixture.
3. Craft compact spheres approximately 1-inch in diameter using hands or a cookie scoop, strategically positioning them across the prepared baking surface with minimal spacing between each morsel.
4. Transfer the baking sheet into the preheated oven, allowing the sausage spheres to transform into golden-brown delicacies for 20-25 minutes, ensuring complete internal cooking.
5. Once achieved optimal coloration, extract from the oven and permit a brief cooling interval before presenting alongside complementary dipping sauces like ranch or hot sauce for enhanced flavor experience.

Notes

• Keep cream cheese at room temperature for easier mixing and smoother texture.
• Use lean or regular sausage based on personal preference for fat content.
• Drain Rotel tomatoes thoroughly to prevent excess moisture in sausage balls.
• Grate fresh cheddar cheese for better melting and richer flavor compared to pre-shredded options.
• Roll balls uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and even browning.
• Can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking for convenient meal prep.
• Freeze uncooked sausage balls for up to 3 months, baking directly from frozen with slight time adjustment.
• Replace Bisquick with almond flour or gluten-free baking mix.
• Reduce sodium by choosing low-sodium sausage and monitoring additional salt content.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 210 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 370 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg