Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

Rotel cream cheese sausage balls are what party appetizer dreams are made of!

They’re irresistible, combining spicy pork, zesty Rotel, and creamy cheese. Plus, they’re perfectly bite-sized for parties.

You can easily make them with a handful of simple ingredients. And they’ll strike just the right balance between spicy, creamy, crispy, and tender. 

Packed with cheese and bold flavors, everyone will come back for more. 

Why You’ll Love These Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

Bold, Zesty Taste: The combo of hot sausage, tomatoes, and green chilies delivers a savory, slightly spicy kick.  

Simple Preparation: With just a few basic ingredients and minimal prep time, this recipe is incredibly straightforward.

Creamy & Cheesy: Thanks to the cream cheese and shredded Mexican cheese, you get a double dose of rich, creamy goodness. 

Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep the mixture in advance and bake when ready for stress-free entertaining!

Ingredients

• Hot Pork Sausage: Ground pork mixed with spicy seasonings (cayenne, black pepper, and red pepper flakes) is the main source of protein and heat for the sausage balls. 

• Rotel Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies: Drain them well to prevent the mixture from becoming too wet. 

• Cream Cheese: Acts as the binding agent, adding richness and creaminess to balance the heat. 

• Bisquick Baking Mix: The quickest, easiest way to make these without flour, shortening, salt, and leaveners.

• Shredded Mexican Cheese Blend: A mix of cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Asadero, it melts well and adds a cheesy, savory flavor.

• Green Onions: Chop fresh onions and toss them in for a bright pop of color and subtle crunch.  

How to Make Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

Whether serving them as an after-school snack or at your next holiday gathering, these sausage balls won’t last long.

Luckily, you can easily double the batch! Here are the steps:

1. PREHEAT the oven to 400°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. BEAT the cream cheese until smooth. Scrape the bowl and beat again until lump-free.

3. MIX in the sausage by hand until mostly combined. Add the Rotel, Bisquick, cheese, and green onions, and gently mix until well blended.

4. PORTION the mixture into 1-inch balls (about walnut-sized) and place them on the prepared baking sheets.

5. BAKE for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.

6. COOL for a few minutes before serving warm with your favorite dipping sauces. Enjoy!

Tips for the Best Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

I love sausage balls, and I’ve made them using a million different recipes.

So, if you’ve seen a few of these tips before, that’s why!

Of course, they’re still good tips, no matter the recipe. 

• Tone it down. I love spicy sausage, so that’s what I use. But you can opt for mild or breakfast sausage if you prefer. For a lighter version, use turkey sausage.

• Set the cream cheese out early. It needs to be fully softened, so let it sit on the counter for 20-30 minutes before mixing.

• Drain the Rotel well. The Rotel itself will add plenty of moisture (from the tomatoes). But you need to drain the excess juices thoroughly so the mixture isn’t too runny.

• Mixing options. Get a glove and mix with your hands to prevent overmixing. Or use a stand mixer and paddle on low. Avoid using an electric whisk (other than for the cream cheese), as it’ll quickly overwork the meat.

• Shape the balls uniformly. Weigh them or use a cookie scoop to ensure they cook evenly.

• Chill before baking. If the mixture is too sticky or soft, pop it in the fridge before shaping the balls.

• Prepare them a day ahead. Make the mixture, shape it into balls, and refrigerate on a covered baking sheet until you’re ready to bake. You can also freeze them and bake them straight from frozen. You’ll just need to adjust the baking time. 

• Incorporate mix-ins. Add chopped jalapenos for extra heat or crumbled bacon for texture and flavor. Diced bell peppers give them a bit of crunch. Serve with dipping sauces like ranch, spicy aioli, or honey mustard for extra YUM. 

How to Store

The great thing about these sausage balls is that they taste just as good the next day.

If you’re lucky enough to have any leftovers, that is!

Just be sure you store them properly: 

To Store: Let the sausage balls cool, then refrigerate them in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

To Freeze: Place the balls on a baking sheet and let them freeze until solid. Pop them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 4 months. 

To Reheat: Reheat refrigerated sausage balls in the microwave for 30 to 45 seconds. Or use the oven (350 degrees/5-7 minutes). For frozen sausage balls, use the oven and extend the baking time by 3-5 minutes. 

More Party Appetizers Your Family Will Love

Stuffed Mushrooms
Mac and Cheese Bites
Beef Empanadas
Turkey Pinwheels