If you love easy, crowd-pleasing appetizers, these Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls will be your new favorite. They’re warm, cheesy, savory, and have just the right amount of zesty kick from Rotel tomatoes. Whether you're hosting game night, a family gathering, or a casual party, these bite-sized flavor bombs disappear fast!
Serve them straight out of the oven with your favorite dipping sauce—ranch, spicy mayo, or even queso. They're effortless, comforting, and always a hit.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
What You Need to Make This Recipe
How to Make This Recipe
Expert Tips
FAQs
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only a few simple ingredients, but BIG flavor.
- No cooking the sausage ahead—everything mixes in one bowl.
- Perfect for parties, potlucks, breakfast, or snacking.
- Customizable heat level depending on the Rotel you choose.
- Freezer-friendly and easy to reheat.
What You Need to Make This Recipe
Full ingredient list with exact measurements is in the recipe card at the end.
- Breakfast sausage
- Cream cheese
- Rotel tomatoes with green chilies
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Baking mix (like Bisquick)
- Cayenne pepper (optional)
How to Make This Recipe
See the recipe card below for complete step-by-step instructions.
- Mix all the ingredients in one large bowl until fully combined.
- Roll into small 1-inch balls.
- Bake until golden, cooked through, and slightly crisp outside.
- Let them cool slightly and serve warm.
Expert Tips
- Drain the Rotel well—too much liquid makes the mixture soft.
- Use cold sausage for easier shaping.
- Add extra cheddar for a cheesier texture.
- You can freeze shaped balls before baking and cook from frozen.
- For spicy lovers, use Hot Rotel + a little extra cayenne.
FAQs
Can I use turkey sausage?
Yes, but the texture will be slightly softer because turkey has less fat.
Why are my sausage balls too soft?
Most likely because the Rotel wasn't drained properly. Press out excess liquid.
Can I make them ahead?
Yes! Shape them, refrigerate up to 24 hours, then bake when ready.
What dipping sauce goes best?
Ranch, spicy mayo, chipotle sauce, queso, or honey mustard.
Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
Prep Time: 15 mins |
Cook Time: 20 mins |
Total Time: 35 mins
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1 lb breakfast sausage (uncooked)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 can (10 oz) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, drained
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1.5 cups baking mix (such as Bisquick)
- 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix sausage, cream cheese, drained Rotel, cheddar, baking mix, and cayenne until fully combined.
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes or until golden and cooked through.
- Let cool slightly and serve warm.