Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls are savory, cheesy, and have just the right amount of spice from the Rotel tomatoes and green chilies. They’re a hit any time of year—the perfect appetizer for holiday gatherings, tailgates, or a cozy snack at home. They’re easy to make with minimal cleanup, and you can even prep them ahead of time!
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The first time I made these, they vanished within minutes. They’ve become my go-to for a quick snack or an appetizer that’s guaranteed to impress. Whether you’re serving them warm out of the oven or reheating leftovers for a lazy and quick breakfast, the cheesy, savory goodness always hits the spot. I love pairing them with my favorite dipping sauces for an extra flavor boost!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
I’ll show you how easy it is to create these irresistible sausage balls. Follow these simple steps for golden, cheesy perfection every time.
Preheat and Prep
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Combine the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the uncooked sausage, softened cream cheese, and drained Rotel tomatoes and green chilies. Mix until everything is well blended.
Add the Dry Ingredients
Stir in the Bisquick baking mix and shredded cheddar cheese. Make sure everything is evenly combined for the best flavor in every bite.
Shape the Balls
Using a cookie scoop or your hands, form the mixture into 1-inch balls. Place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
Bake to Perfection
Pop the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the sausage balls are golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the oven, sprinkle cheese on top, and return to the oven. Bake for a few more minutes, just until the cheese has melted.
Serve and Enjoy
Serve them warm with your favorite dipping sauce—honey mustard, ranch, or even a spicy garlic aioli. These bites are guaranteed to be a hit!
Recipe Notes and Tips
Here are a few tips to make sure your Rotel cream cheese sausage balls turn out perfectly every time:
- Room Temperature Cream Cheese: This makes mixing much easier and ensures everything blends smoothly.
- Drain the Rotel Well: Too much liquid can make the mixture too sticky to shape.
- Sausage Options: Hot breakfast sausage adds a nice kick, but you can use mild sausage, hot beef sausage, turkey sausage, or even Italian sausage for a different flavor.
- Cheese: Sharp cheddar is classic, but pepper jack cheese or mozzarella can give these a fun twist.
- Bisquick: If you’re out of Bisquick, mix 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 1½ teaspoons of baking powder and a pinch of salt—it works like a charm!
- Make Ahead: You can prep these up to a day in advance and refrigerate the unbaked balls. Just bake them fresh when you’re ready to serve.
- Freeze Before Baking: Shape them, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and freeze until firm. Then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
- Add an Extra Kick: A sprinkle of garlic powder, jalapeño rub, or even diced fresh peppers can up the spice level.
How to Store Leftover Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
Store any cooled sausage balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to maintain their crispy texture.
They also freeze well—just pop them into a freezer bag, and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
What to Serve With Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
These sausage balls pair well with a variety of dips like honey mustard, ranch, or a spicy salsa. They’re great beside fresh veggies, a simple salad, or even as part of a larger appetizer spread with sliders and wings.
More Appetizer Recipes You Will Love
- Loaded Buffalo Chicken Nachos Recipe
- Crispy Bacon Wrapped Sugar Smokies
- Best Cheese Ball Recipe with Nuts
- Quick Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
- Turkey Sliders Recipe
Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls Recipe
Add Preferred SourceIngredients
- 1 pound sausage uncooked
- 8 ounces (1 package) cream cheese, softened
- 10 ounces can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies drained
- 1 ¾ cups Bisquick baking mix
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together the uncooked sausage, softened cream cheese, and drained Rotel until well blended.1 pound sausage, 8 ounces (1 package) cream cheese, softened, 10 ounces can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
- Stir in the Bisquick baking mix and shredded cheddar cheese until the mixture is fully combined.1 ¾ cups Bisquick baking mix, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls and arrange them on a baking sheet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the sausage balls are golden brown and cooked through.
- Enjoy these delicious bites warm!
Notes
- Room Temperature Cream Cheese: This makes mixing much easier and ensures everything blends smoothly.
- Drain the Rotel Well: Too much liquid can make the mixture too sticky to shape.
- Sausage Options: Hot breakfast sausage adds a nice kick, but you can use mild sausage, hot beef sausage, turkey sausage, or even Italian sausage for a different flavor.
- Cheese: Sharp cheddar is classic, but pepper jack cheese or mozzarella can give these a fun twist.
- Bisquick: If you’re out of Bisquick, mix 1 cup of all-purpose flour with 1½ teaspoons of baking powder and a pinch of salt—it works like a charm!
- Make Ahead: You can prep these up to a day in advance and refrigerate the unbaked balls. Just bake them fresh when you’re ready to serve.
- Freeze Before Baking: Shape them, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and freeze until firm. Then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
- Add an Extra Kick: A sprinkle of garlic powder, jalapeño rub, or even diced fresh peppers can up the spice level.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Fridge: Store any cooled sausage balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to maintain their crispy texture.
- Freeze: They also freeze well—just pop them into a freezer bag, and they’ll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
