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I'm completely hooked on these tasty sausage balls packed with cream cheese and Rotel tomatoes. Every mouthful delivers rich sausage taste wrapped in smooth creaminess with a delicious cheesy finish. These have quickly become my favorite dish for everything from morning gatherings to nighttime hangouts.
The Magic Inside These Delightful Bites
The thing that makes these sausage balls stand out is how they combine strong tastes with minimal effort. I really enjoy whipping up a large batch at the start of the week as they keep well and warm up quickly. When spicy sausage mixes with cream cheese, it makes an amazing richness, while the Rotel gives that zingy flavor kick that has folks grabbing seconds.
Ingredients List
- Sausage: 1 lb, choose mild or hot, based on what you like.
- Cream Cheese: 8 oz, room temperature for easier blending.
- Rotel Tomatoes and Chilies: 1 can (10 oz), make sure to drain off extra liquid.
- Bisquick: 2 cups, this helps everything stick together and creates softness.
- Mexican Cheese Blend: 1 cup, grated, for that gooey, melty goodness.
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Cooking Instructions
- Warm Up Your Oven
- Get your oven ready at 400°F (200°C) and put parchment paper on a baking tray.
- Mix Everything Together
- In a big bowl, blend sausage, room temp cream cheese, drained Rotel, Bisquick, and grated cheese until it's all mixed up nicely.
- Form Into Balls
- Take spoonfuls of the mix and roll them into 1-inch balls. Place them on your lined tray with gaps between them.
- Cook Until Done
- Pop them in the oven for 18-20 minutes, or until they're golden on the bottom and fully cooked.
Storage Tips
These tasty bites stay good in a sealed container in the fridge for around 5 days. I often make twice as many and stick them in the freezer where they'll keep for up to 2 months. When you want to eat them again, just heat them in the oven at 350°F or quickly warm them in the microwave.
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Tasty Variations
My crew loves trying different versions of this dish. We sometimes use turkey sausage for something lighter or switch up the cheeses. Strong cheddar brings a nice sharpness and pepper jack adds some heat. For my pals who can't eat gluten, I grab gluten free Bisquick and they come out just as good. These days I've been throwing in chopped onions for extra taste and everyone goes crazy for them.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can these be prepared early?
Definitely! You can freeze the sausage bites cooked or uncooked. Thaw them in the fridge overnight and warm them up or bake fresh.
- → What kind of sausage should I use?
Go with breakfast sausage for this recipe. Choose between mild or spicy versions based on your flavor preference.
- → Why won’t my sausage bites hold together?
If they’re crumbling, check the moisture levels. Drain the Rotel really well and soften the cream cheese to make the mixture hold better.
- → Is there a Bisquick substitute?
You can swap it with a mix of flour, baking powder, butter, and salt. The texture might vary slightly but works just fine!
- → How should I store leftovers?
Keep leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for 4 days. Freeze them for up to 3 months if needed and reheat when you’re ready to enjoy.