Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

6. Bake the Sausage Balls

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the sausage balls for 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. You may want to check on them around the 18-minute mark to avoid overbaking, as this can dry them out. The perfect sausage ball should be crispy on the outside, but tender and juicy on the inside.

7. Prepare the Dipping Sauce (Optional)

While the sausage balls are baking, you can prepare a simple dipping sauce to serve alongside them. In a small bowl, mix together the sour cream, ranch dressing, and chopped chives or green onions. This cool, creamy sauce perfectly complements the spiciness of the sausage balls.

8. Serve and Enjoy

Once the sausage balls are done baking, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on the baking sheet. Transfer them to a serving platter, and serve them warm with the dipping sauce on the side. These sausage balls are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven, but they also hold up well for later, making them a great make-ahead appetizer.

Tips for Perfect Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

1. Draining the Rotel: It’s important to drain the Rotel tomatoes and chilies well before adding them to the sausage mixture. Excess liquid can make the sausage balls too wet, which will prevent them from holding their shape and achieving that perfect crispy exterior.
2. Choosing the Right Sausage: Depending on your spice tolerance, you can use mild, spicy, or hot sausage. If you’re serving guests with varying preferences, mild sausage is a safe choice, and you can always amp up the heat with additional spices or a hot dipping sauce.
3. Making Ahead: These sausage balls are a great make-ahead option. You can roll them into balls and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before baking, or freeze them for up to 3 months. If frozen, just add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
4. Customizing the Recipe: Feel free to customize your sausage balls by adding different kinds of cheese, like pepper jack for a little more heat, or swapping out the Bisquick for another baking mix. You can also add extra spices, such as cayenne pepper or smoked paprika, to give the sausage balls more depth of flavor.
5. Serving Suggestions: While these sausage balls are fantastic on their own, you can also serve them with other dips like honey mustard, spicy aioli, or even salsa for a Tex-Mex twist.

Conclusion

Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls are the ultimate combination of savory, cheesy, and slightly spicy flavors, making them a must-have at any party or family gathering. The addition of cream cheese brings a luxurious creaminess, while the Rotel adds a fresh, zesty twist that sets these sausage balls apart from the classic recipe. Easy to make and loved by all, these sausage balls are a guaranteed hit that you’ll want to make again and again.