Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls Recipe

Irresistible Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls Recipe for Snack Lovers

Crispy, cheesy rotel cream cheese sausage balls bring unexpected magic to your appetizer game.

Comfort meets excitement in this simple yet irresistible snack that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated these bite-sized delights that pack serious flavor punch.

Zesty rotel tomatoes add a subtle kick to the creamy, meaty mixture.

Sharp cheddar cheese melts into golden perfection, creating irresistible crispy edges.

Sharp spices dance through each morsel, promising a crowd-pleasing experience that disappears faster than you can plate them.

You won’t believe how easy these crowd-pleasers are to whip up in minutes.

Grab these ingredients and surprise everyone at your next gathering with a snack that steals the show.

Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls That Bring Heat and Creaminess

  • Perfect for game days, potlucks, and unexpected gatherings with minimal prep and maximum flavor impact.
  • Combines simple ingredients in one bowl, requiring no advanced cooking skills and delivering delicious results in under 30 minutes.
  • Serves as an appetizer, game day treat, or casual finger food that appeals to both kids and adults with its cheesy, spicy profile.
  • Can be prepared ahead of time, refrigerated, and baked when needed, making it an excellent option for busy families and last-minute entertaining.

What to Pick Up for Rotel Sausage Balls

Meat and Protein:
  • Sausage: Provides the rich, meaty base for the sausage balls with a savory flavor profile.
  • Cream Cheese: Adds creamy texture and helps bind the ingredients together.
Cheese and Dairy:
  • Mexican Cheese Blend: Brings extra cheesy goodness and melts nicely throughout the sausage balls.
Dry Ingredients and Binders:
  • Bisquick Baking Mix: Serves as a key binding ingredient and helps create a light, fluffy texture.
  • Rotel Tomatoes and Green Chilies: Adds a zesty kick and moisture to the mixture, providing a subtle southwestern flavor.

How to Mix, Roll, and Bake Sausage Balls Right

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) and let it get toasty.

Step 2: Mix Your Flavor Powerhouse

Grab a big mixing bowl and toss in:
  • Ground sausage
  • Softened cream cheese
  • Rotel tomatoes and green chilies
  • Bisquick baking mix
  • Shredded Mexican cheese blend

Mash and blend everything together until perfectly combined. A stand mixer with a dough hook works like magic for this task.

Step 3: Shape Your Delights

Roll the mixture into bite-sized balls about the size of a golf ball. Pro tip: Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for half an hour to make shaping easier.

Step 4: Create Crispy Perfection

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange your sausage balls with some breathing room between them. Pop them into the preheated oven.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. You’re looking for a beautiful golden-brown color and a completely cooked interior.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Let the sausage balls rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven. This helps them set and makes them easier to handle.

Tips for Balance Between Sausage, Cheese, and Spice

  • Chill Before Shaping: Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes to make forming sausage balls easier and prevent sticky hands.
  • Use Electric Mixer: Employ an electric stand mixer with a dough hook to blend ingredients thoroughly and reduce manual mixing effort.
  • Check Internal Temperature: Ensure sausage balls reach 160°F (71°C) internally for safe consumption and perfect doneness.
  • Line Baking Sheet: Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze while promoting even browning.
  • Customize Spice Level: Swap regular Rotel for mild or hot versions to adjust the heat according to your taste preferences.

Best Way to Store and Reheat Sausage Balls

  • Store leftover sausage balls in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping them fresh and delicious.
  • Wrap cooled sausage balls tightly in freezer-safe bags or containers, preserving them for up to 3 months for quick future snacking.
  • Warm refrigerated or thawed sausage balls at 350F for 10-12 minutes, ensuring they regain their crispy exterior and heated center.
  • Zap cold sausage balls for 30-45 seconds, checking midway to prevent overheating and maintain their tender texture.

What to Serve Alongside Sausage Balls

  • Whip up a zesty ranch dressing with extra hot sauce to complement the sausage balls' spicy kick.
  • Grab a crisp, light beer like a pilsner or pale ale to balance the rich, savory flavors of the appetizer.
  • Prepare a fresh tomato salsa with cilantro and lime to cut through the creamy, meaty texture of the sausage balls.
  • Select a slightly acidic white wine like Sauvignon Blanc to refresh the palate between bites of the hearty appetizer.

Twists to Try on Sausage Ball Mix

  • Gluten-Free Delight: Replace Bisquick with a gluten-free baking mix or almond flour to create a celiac-friendly version without sacrificing flavor.
  • Spicy Kick Version: Swap regular sausage for hot Italian sausage and add diced jalapeños to increase heat and bring more zesty excitement to the appetizer.
  • Low-Fat Alternative: Use turkey sausage and reduced-fat cream cheese to cut down on calories while maintaining a delicious taste profile for health-conscious guests.
  • Vegetarian Option: Substitute sausage with plant-based ground meat alternatives and use vegan cream cheese to create a meatless version that still delivers rich, satisfying flavors.
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Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls Recipe

Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 12 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 20 1x

Description

Savory rotel cream cheese sausage balls deliver irresistible Southern party appetizer magic, blending spicy sausage, tangy cream cheese, and zesty rotel tomatoes. Guests will devour these cheesy bites, craving more of this crowd-pleasing snack that promises to steal the spotlight at any gathering.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 pound (450g) uncooked ground sausage (hot or mild, based on preference)
  • 2 cups (200g) shredded Mexican cheese blend
  • 8 ounces (225g) cream cheese, softened

Baking and Binding Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups (180g) Bisquick baking mix

Additional Flavor Ingredients:

  • 1 can (10 ounces/283g) Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained

Instructions

  1. Prepare the culinary workspace by heating the oven to a robust 400F (200C), ensuring an even temperature for optimal cooking results.
  2. In a spacious mixing vessel, amalgamate the raw sausage with velvety cream cheese, thoroughly drained Rotel tomatoes and green chilies, Bisquick baking mix, and generously shredded Mexican cheese blend, creating a harmonious mixture.
  3. Chill the concoction for approximately 30 minutes to firm up the texture, which will facilitate easier manipulation of the mixture.
  4. Gently mold the chilled mixture into uniform spherical portions, approximately 1-inch in diameter, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
  5. Position the crafted sausage orbs onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, maintaining strategic spacing between each morsel to promote uniform browning.
  6. Transfer the prepared sheet to the preheated oven, allowing the sausage balls to transform into golden-brown delicacies over 18-20 minutes.
  7. Verify doneness by ensuring the exterior achieves a rich, caramelized hue and the interior reaches a complete, safe cooking temperature.

Notes

  • Chill the mixture briefly to make shaping sausage balls smoother and prevent sticky hands during preparation.
  • Pat excess moisture from Rotel tomatoes to maintain ideal texture and prevent soggy sausage balls.
  • For gluten-free option, substitute Bisquick with almond flour or gluten-free baking mix to accommodate dietary restrictions.
  • Experiment with different sausage varieties like spicy Italian, breakfast, or turkey sausage to create unique flavor profiles and personalize the recipe.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 20
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 380mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 7g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 8g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg
Daves Miller

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

  • American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
  • Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
  • Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.​
  • Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

  • Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
  • Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals. 

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.

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