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Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Mix the Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and breakfast sausage. Use your hands or a spatula to mix until well combined.
3. Add Rotel and Cheese:
- Stir in the drained Rotel tomatoes and shredded cheddar cheese until evenly distributed throughout the sausage mixture.
4. Incorporate Dry Ingredients:
- Add the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Mix everything together until a dough forms. If the mixture seems too sticky, you can add a bit more flour until it reaches a workable consistency.
5. Shape the Balls:
- Using your hands, scoop out a tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Place the sausage balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. You should have enough mixture to make about 24-30 sausage balls.
6. Bake:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the sausage balls are golden brown and cooked through. You can check for doneness by cutting one in half to ensure there is no pink inside.
7. Cool and Serve:
- Once baked, remove the sausage balls from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet. Serve warm, garnished with chopped cilantro or green onions if desired.
Tips for Success
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the sausage balls in advance and refrigerate them for a few hours or overnight before baking. Just bake them when you’re ready to serve!
- Frozen Option: These sausage balls freeze well. After shaping them, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. When ready to bake, simply add a few extra minutes to the baking time when cooking from frozen.
- Customize the Heat: Adjust the heat level by using spicy sausage or adding jalapeños to the mixture for an extra kick.
Healthier Alternatives
- Lean Sausage: Consider using lean turkey or chicken sausage for a healthier version while still keeping the great flavor.
- Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend to accommodate gluten-sensitive guests.
Conclusion
Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls are a delicious and versatile appetizer that combines the savory flavors of sausage and cheese with a hint of spice from Rotel tomatoes. They are perfect for any occasion, from casual gatherings to festive celebrations. Easy to prepare and always a hit, these sausage balls will surely become a staple in your recipe collection. So gather your ingredients and whip up a batch today—your taste buds will thank you!