Description
These Rotel cream cheese sausage balls are the ultimate party snack—creamy, cheesy, and packed with savory sausage and a gentle kick from Rotel tomatoes. Quick to make and always a crowd-pleaser, they’re perfect for gatherings, game nights, or family snacking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground pork sausage (mild or spicy)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 can (10 ounces) Rotel diced tomatoes & green chilies, drained well
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 1/2 cups Bisquick baking mix (or all-purpose baking mix)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Pinch of black pepper
- Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
- Extra Rotel tomatoes (for dipping or topping, optional)
- Ranch or spicy mayo (for dipping, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Drain the Rotel tomatoes very well, pressing with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- In a large mixing bowl, blend softened cream cheese and drained Rotel tomatoes until smooth using a hand mixer (about 1-2 minutes).
- Add ground sausage to the bowl and mix until fully combined.
- Stir in shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika (if using), and black pepper until evenly distributed.
- Sprinkle in Bisquick baking mix and mix gently until a thick, uniform dough forms. If too wet, add 2-3 extra tablespoons Bisquick.
- Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to portion mixture into balls about 1 to 1.5 inches wide. Roll between palms for a smooth finish.
- Arrange sausage balls about 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet. You should get 24-30 balls.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until golden brown and firm to the touch. Rotate tray halfway through for even browning.
- Check for doneness by cutting one open—sausage should be cooked through, cheese melty, no pink inside. If needed, bake another 2-3 minutes.
- Remove from oven, let cool 5 minutes on the tray, then transfer to a wire rack to keep them crisp.
- Serve warm, garnished with parsley and with dipping sauces if desired.
Notes
Drain Rotel tomatoes thoroughly to prevent soggy sausage balls. For gluten-free, use a gluten-free baking mix. Chill mixture for 15 minutes if too sticky before shaping. Air fryer option: bake at 350°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway. Freeze unbaked balls for later and bake straight from frozen, adding a few minutes to cook time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sausage ball
- Calories: 95
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 210
- Fat: 7
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 3
- Protein: 5
Keywords: sausage balls, Rotel, cream cheese, party snack, appetizer, easy recipe, game day, cheesy, savory, finger food