Description
These Irresistibly Easy ROTEL Spiced Sausage and Cream Cheese Bites are a flavorful and simple appetizer made with spicy breakfast sausage, Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, and cream cheese, all wrapped in flaky biscuit dough. Perfectly seasoned with garlic, onion powder, and smoked paprika, these bites bake to golden perfection and are garnished with fresh parsley for a delicious party snack or game day treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Dairy
- 1 lb spicy breakfast sausage
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
Vegetables & Canned Goods
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
Baking & Seasonings
- 1 can (16 oz) refrigerated biscuit dough (8-count)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare your baking surface by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly greasing a muffin tin for easier removal and cleanup.
- Cook Sausage: Place a skillet over medium heat and cook the spicy breakfast sausage until it is fully browned, breaking it up as it cooks. Once cooked, drain off any excess grease to prevent sogginess in the bites.
- Mix Filling: Add the drained Rotel diced tomatoes and softened cream cheese to the cooked sausage in the skillet. Stir continually until the cream cheese melts and everything is well combined. Season the mixture with garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika to enhance the flavor. Allow it to cool slightly for easier handling.
- Prepare Dough: Separate the refrigerated biscuit dough and cut each biscuit in half, resulting in 16 pieces total. Flatten each piece into a roughly 3-inch circle to create a perfect wrapper for the filling.
- Assemble Bites: Place about one tablespoon of the sausage mixture into the center of each dough circle. Bring the edges up around the filling and pinch tightly to seal each into a ball shape, ensuring no filling leaks out during baking.
- Arrange for Baking: Position the sealed dough balls seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet or inside the greased muffin tin cups for uniform shape while baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes until the biscuit dough is golden brown and puffed, indicating they are fully cooked.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the bites from the oven and let them cool slightly. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top for a fresh touch and serve warm to enjoy their full flavor.
Notes
- You can use mild sausage if you prefer less heat.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to help it blend smoothly with the sausage and tomatoes.
- If you don’t have Rotel, use diced tomatoes with a bit of diced jalapeño to mimic the flavor.
- These bites can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving.
- For a lower-fat version, choose reduced-fat cream cheese and sausage.
