Name: rotel cream cheese sausage balls recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 1 pound ground sausage (regular or hot); 8 ounces cream cheese, softened; 1 (10 ounce) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1 cup Bisquick baking mix (optional, for a slightly firmer texture)

Finished Rotel cream cheese sausage balls displayed on a cutting board, ready to serve.

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Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls: The Ultimate Cheesy Appetizer 🧀🌶️🤤

1. Introduction

Are you ready to elevate your appetizer game to legendary status? Look no further than this absolutely irresistible rotel sausage balls recipe! These aren’t just any appetizers; they’re savory explosions of flavor, combining the luxurious richness of cream cheese, the vibrant spiciness of Rotel tomatoes and green chilies, and the hearty, satisfying taste of sausage, all perfectly rolled into one bite-sized package. Perfect for jazzing up parties, dominating game day gatherings, or even just satisfying a craving for a quick and delicious snack, these cream cheese sausage balls are practically guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Forget boring snacks! This comprehensive sausage balls recipe will carefully guide you through each surprisingly simple step, ensuring that you create the perfectly balanced batch every single time. Get ready to experience the absolute pinnacle of cheesy, meaty satisfaction with these incredible cheesy sausage balls, that will leave everyone begging for more! For other yummy options, check out our breakfast recipes!

2. What are Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls?

Rotel sausage balls are a bona fide classic Southern appetizer, a staple at potlucks and holiday gatherings. The magic lies in the perfect combination of simple ingredients: ground sausage (often with a little kick!), creamy cream cheese, those signature Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, and plenty of sharp cheddar cheese. These ingredients are lovingly mixed together until perfectly combined, then carefully formed into convenient bite-sized balls, and finally baked to a beautiful golden brown. The end result? A truly flavorful, wonderfully cheesy, and subtly spicy snack that’s absolutely perfect for virtually any occasion you can think of. But what truly sets this particular sausage balls recipe head and shoulders above the rest is the unbelievably creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture and that signature little kick from the Rotel tomatoes, making them an instant favorite among appetizer aficionados. If you love appetizers you should check out this glazed carrots with dill recipe !

3. Why This Recipe Works

This amazing cream cheese sausage balls recipe is an absolute winner for a multitude of compelling reasons:

Simplicity is Key: You only need a surprisingly small handful of readily available, everyday ingredients.
So Easy to Make: The steps are remarkably straightforward and require only minimal effort on your part. Perfect for even beginner cooks!
Tremendously Versatile: Perfect for parties, impromptu snacks, impressive appetizers, or a quick and satisfying breakfast option.
Unbelievably Delicious Flavor: The perfect marriage of savory sausage, creamy cheese, and zesty Rotel creates an absolute explosion of flavor in every single bite.

Whether you consider yourself a seasoned culinary expert or you’re just starting your adventure in the kitchen, this foolproof sausage balls recipe is exceptionally easy to follow and consistently yields fantastic results every single time. It’s a recipe you’ll turn to again and again. For a full, wholesome and balanced meal, check out my main dinner recipes!

4. Ingredients You’ll Need

1 pound ground sausage (use regular or hot, completely depending on your personal spice preference)
8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 (10 ounce) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, thoroughly drained
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend, for even more complex flavor!)
1 cup Bisquick baking mix (optional, for a slightly firmer, more structured texture)

These incredibly simple and accessible ingredients work together in perfect harmony to create the ultimate cheesy sausage balls experience. Consider adding bacon wrapped green beans for complementary taste!

5. Step-by-Step Instructions

Carefully follow these exceptionally easy steps to create the absolute best rotel sausage balls you’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting!

Step 1: Prepare the Sausage

In a generously sized skillet, cook the ground sausage over medium heat, making sure to crumble it as it cooks to ensure even browning. Continue to cook until the sausage is fully browned and absolutely no pink remains. Once cooked, carefully drain off any and all excess grease. Let the cooked sausage cool slightly before you mix it with the remaining ingredients.

Ground sausage being crumbled into a bowl for Rotel sausage balls recipe.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and the thoroughly drained Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies. Be sure to mix everything extremely well until the cream cheese is perfectly smooth and evenly distributed with the Rotel, ensuring that every bite will be packed with consistent flavor.

Rotel tomatoes being added to sausage and cream cheese mixture for sausage ball recipe.

Step 3: Add Cheese and Sausage

Add the shredded cheddar cheese and the cooked sausage to the cream cheese and Rotel mixture. If you’re using it, add the Bisquick baking mix at this stage to help bind all of the ingredients together seamlessly. This will ultimately create absolutely delightful cheesy sausage balls that hold their shape perfectly!

Cheddar cheese being added to sausage Rotel and cream cheese mix for sausage balls.

Step 4: Mix and Bake

Mix all of the ingredients incredibly thoroughly with love and care until everything is exceptionally well combined. The mixture needs to be uniform throughout to ensure even flavor distribution. Preheat your oven to a precise 350°F (175°C). Gently roll the mixture into perfectly bite-sized balls (approximately 1 inch in diameter) and carefully place them on a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Bake for a precise 20-25 minutes, or until they’re a beautiful golden brown color and cooked completely through. Serve these irresistible rotel sausage balls warm and enjoy every single savory bite! Thinking about dessert? Check out this Lemon Poppy Seed Cake !

Stirring sausage cream cheese Rotel and cheddar cheese mixture for sausage balls.

6. Tips for the Perfect Sausage Balls

Always Use Softened Cream Cheese: Making absolutely certain that your cream cheese is fully softened to room temperature is essential to avoid any unwanted lumps in the final mixture.
Drain the Rotel Exceptionally Well: Thoroughly draining the Rotel tomatoes is absolutely crucial to prevent your sausage balls from becoming unpleasantly soggy.
Be Careful Not to Overbake: Overbaking can very easily dry out the sausage balls, rendering them less enjoyable. Bake them until they are a lovely golden brown color, but still moist and tender on the inside.
Spice Things Up a Bit: Use hot sausage for an extra kick, or add a generous pinch of cayenne pepper for an additional layer of heat.
Experiment with Cheese: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different varieties of cheese, such as pepper jack for a spicier profile or Monterey Jack for a milder, creamier flavor. The sky’s the limit!

7. Serving Suggestions

These amazing cream cheese sausage balls are unbelievably versatile and can be served in countless different ways to complement any occasion:

As a Classic Appetizer: Serve them elegantly on a platter with decorative toothpicks for easy and convenient grabbing.
With a Variety of Dipping Sauces: Offer your guests a selection of complementary dipping sauces, such as classic ranch dressing, smoky barbecue sauce, or a creamy and spicy aioli.
As Part of a Hearty Breakfast: Include them as part of a delicious brunch spread, served alongside scrambled eggs and crispy toast for a complete and satisfying meal.
The Perfect Party Snack: Guaranteed to be an absolute hit at any party or casual gathering!

8. Storage Instructions

To properly store any leftover rotel sausage balls and maintain their delicious flavor and texture:

Refrigerate: Store them in a high-quality airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: For longer-term storage, freezing is an excellent option. First, place the sausage balls in a single layer on a baking sheet until they are completely frozen solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be safely frozen for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply reheat them in the oven until they are warmed completely through. Alternatively, you can check this external link to see how others store theirs: Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls.

9. Conclusion

With this definitive sausage balls recipe in your culinary arsenal, you’re now exceptionally well-equipped to create the most delicious and incredibly crowd-pleasing appetizer imaginable. Whether you affectionately call them rotel sausage balls, cream cheese sausage balls, or simply cheesy sausage balls, these wonderfully savory bites are absolutely guaranteed to impress everyone who tries them. So, gather all of your ingredients, carefully follow the simple and straightforward steps, and get ready to thoroughly enjoy the ultimate experience in cheesy, meaty, and utterly irresistible goodness! Don’t forget to have a look at my about me page and also, If you like this recipe, make sure to follow me on pinterest!

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