When you need the perfect party pleaser or crowd-pleasing appetizer with a little kick, Rotel Sausage Crescent Bites are a guaranteed hit! Each bite offers a flaky, golden crescent wrapped around creamy, cheesy, spicy goodness—just the right blend to keep everyone coming back for more.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Crowd-Favorite Flavor: The combo of savory sausage, creamy cheese, and spicy Rotel creates a bursting bite with each crescent.
- Super Simple Prep: Just a handful of ingredients and a few quick steps turn out impressive, bakery-worthy bites every time.
- Perfect for Parties & Snacks: Rotel Sausage Crescent Bites are totally portable, finger-friendly, and irresistible both warm and at room temperature.
- Endlessly Adaptable: You can switch up the filling, spice level, or even make them ahead to fit your schedule or occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With only a handful of easy-to-find ingredients, Rotel Sausage Crescent Bites pack a surprisingly big punch. Each one brings something unique, from creamy richness to flaky crunch, resulting in that signature, crave-worthy bite.
- 1 (1-lb) roll breakfast sausage: Go with a classic pork sausage for robust flavor, or try turkey sausage for a lighter touch—just make sure to cook and crumble it well for even filling.
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened: Cream cheese melts into the sausage, creating a luscious, smooth filling that holds together perfectly.
- 1 (10-oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained very well: These bring that famous zesty kick and color; draining thoroughly is essential to avoid soggy bites.
- 2 (8-oz) cans refrigerated crescent rolls: These create buttery, golden layers that bake up perfectly around the filling—regular or reduced-fat both work seamlessly.
Variations
One of the best parts about making Rotel Sausage Crescent Bites is how forgiving the recipe is—it’s easy to tweak based on what you’ve got on hand, dietary preferences, or your crew’s favorite flavors.
- Go Spicy or Mild: Use hot sausage or substitute milder Rotel for a toned-down version; you can even add jalapeños for extra heat.
- Try Different Cheeses: Swap in shredded cheddar, colby jack, or pepper jack for additional flavor, or use low-fat cream cheese for a lighter bite.
- Vegetarian Swap: Use your favorite meatless sausage crumbles for a vegetarian version that’s still packed with flavor.
- Mini or Jumbo: Cut crescents smaller for bite-sized party snacks or leave them a little larger for a more substantial appetizer.
How to Make Rotel Sausage Crescent Bites
Step 1: Prepare the Sausage Filling
Begin by cooking your sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon until it’s beautifully browned and crumbly. Let it cool slightly, then transfer the sausage to a mixing bowl. Add the softened cream cheese and (very well-drained!) Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies. Mix until everything is evenly combined and the filling looks creamy and bright.
Step 2: Prep the Crescent Dough
Pop open your crescent roll cans and unroll the dough onto a clean surface. Gently separate the dough into triangles, then cut each triangle lengthwise into two narrower triangles—this gives you the perfect mini bite size. It’s easiest to do this with a pizza cutter, and the smaller triangles mean each bite is just the right ratio of dough to filling.
Step 3: Fill and Roll
Using a small cookie scoop (or a spoon), place a mound of sausage filling onto the wider end of each triangle. Carefully roll up the dough around the filling, starting from the wide end and tucking the point underneath so the filling stays put. Don’t worry if some peeks out—it will get even more tempting as it bakes!
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Arrange the filled crescents a little apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Slide them into your preheated 375ºF oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the dough is puffed and golden-brown. They’ll smell absolutely irresistible when ready—just try to wait a minute before taking your first bite!
Pro Tips for Making Rotel Sausage Crescent Bites
- Drain Rotel Like a Pro: After draining your Rotel tomatoes in a colander, press them gently between layers of paper towels to prevent excess moisture that can make the crescents soggy.
- Finely Chop for Better Mix: Pulse your cooked sausage briefly in a food processor before mixing—this gives you a smoother, more cohesive filling and neater bites.
- Uniform Sizing Made Easy: Use a small cookie scoop for quick, consistent portioning, ensuring every bite bakes evenly and looks professional.
- Make-Ahead Magic: The filling can be made up to three days ahead and refrigerated—assembly is a breeze when you need it most on party day!
How to Serve Rotel Sausage Crescent Bites
Garnishes
Rotel Sausage Crescent Bites look gorgeous straight from the oven, but for a little extra flair, sprinkle them with chopped fresh parsley or chives right before serving. A tiny dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of hot sauce can add both visual pop and an extra flavor kick.
Side Dishes
These bites are wonderful on their own but truly shine alongside a crisp green salad, a veggie platter with ranch dip, or classic party sides like deviled eggs and crunchy pickles. Try them with a tangy coleslaw or a simple fruit tray to round out your brunch or appetizer spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, arrange Rotel Sausage Crescent Bites on a platter with cocktail toothpicks and a couple of dipping sauces in the center—think creamy ranch, spicy chipotle aioli, or honey mustard. Or, stack them pyramid-style on a cake stand to turn them into a striking centerpiece for a game day or holiday table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers (it happens rarely, but miracles do occur!), simply place Rotel Sausage Crescent Bites in an airtight container and refrigerate. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days and are just as satisfying the next day.
Freezing
You can freeze baked Rotel Sausage Crescent Bites for easy, last-minute snacks. Let them cool completely, then arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze. Once solid, transfer to a zip-top bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating
To reheat, arrange chilled or frozen bites on a baking sheet and warm in a 350ºF oven until heated through and re-crisped—about 7 minutes from the fridge, or 12-15 minutes from frozen. They’ll taste freshly-baked and the pastry will regain its lovely flakiness.
FAQs
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Can I make Rotel Sausage Crescent Bites ahead of time?
Absolutely! The sausage-cream cheese filling can be mixed up to three days ahead and kept in the fridge. You can also assemble the crescents a few hours before baking, then pop them in the oven when you’re ready for fresh, piping-hot bites.
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What’s the best way to drain Rotel tomatoes so the bites don’t get soggy?
Drain the Rotel thoroughly in a mesh colander, then gently press with paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible. This crucial step keeps the crescent rolls from getting soggy and ensures a luscious, not watery, filling.
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Can I use other types of sausage in this recipe?
Yes! Traditional pork breakfast sausage is classic, but turkey sausage or even spicy Italian sausage works just as well—just cook and crumble thoroughly for easy mixing.
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Are these bites good served at room temperature?
They sure are! Rotel Sausage Crescent Bites taste fantastic warm out of the oven, but they hold up beautifully as a room temp appetizer, making them perfect for buffets or game days.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a foolproof appetizer that always disappears fast, go ahead and add Rotel Sausage Crescent Bites to your favorites list. They’re speedy, flavorful, and so much fun to share—perfect for everything from cozy family nights to a table full of friends. I can’t wait for you to take that first, flaky bite!
Print
Rotel Sausage Crescent Bites Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 32 bites 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Rotel Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents are a delicious and easy appetizer or snack that is perfect for any gathering. A savory mixture of sausage, cream cheese, and Rotel tomatoes is rolled up in crescent dough and baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Sausage Filling:
- 1 (1-lb) roll breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled
- 1 (8-oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1 (10-oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained very well
Crescent Rolls:
- 2 (8-oz) cans refrigerated crescent rolls
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375ºF. In a large bowl, mix together cooked sausage, cream cheese, and drained Rotel tomatoes and green chilies.
- Separate rolls into triangles. Cut each triangle in half lengthwise making two triangles. Using a small cookie scoop, scoop sausage filling onto each roll and roll up.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
Notes
- It is very important to drain the Rotel tomatoes. I suggest draining them in a colander and squeezing out any excess liquid with paper towels. You need to get as much moisture out of the tomatoes as possible.
- I used Jimmy Dean Sausage. Can substitute turkey sausage.
- I like to pulse the cooked sausage in a food processor to get it very finely chopped. It isn’t necessary, but it helps to get all of the ingredients evenly incorporated.
- Can substitute low-fat cream cheese if you prefer.
- Can use reduced-fat crescent rolls. I use the reduced-fat crescent rolls all the time. You can’t tell a difference.
- You can make the filling ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to assemble the crescents. The filling will keep up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- I find it easier to cut the crescent rolls in half with a pizza cutter.
- I use a small cookie scoop to scoop the filling onto the crescent rolls.
- These bites taste great hot out of the oven or cooled to room temperature.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 125
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
