Can you imagine the taste of a warm, flaky crescent roll, filled with delicious sausage and creamy cheese? Sausage cream cheese crescents fit snugly into top-tier flavors and textures that make them an apt choice for all sorts of occasions. Hosting a party or in dire need for a quick snack or appetizer? This quick, easy recipe will be no less than a treat for you and your guests. Not to mention, they go along with soups; they can also be used with dips or simply be enjoyed by themselves. Ready to learn all about this tasty treat?
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Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground sausage (pork, turkey, or chicken)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cans refrigerated crescent roll dough (8 rolls each)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a spicy kick)
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Sausage Mixture
- Cook the Sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground sausage until it is no longer pink, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. This should take about 8-10 minutes.
- Drain Excess Grease: Once the sausage is fully cooked, drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Mix with Cream Cheese: Add the softened cream cheese to the skillet with the cooked sausage. Stir until the cream cheese is fully melted and well-combined with the sausage. The mixture should be creamy and uniform.
- Season the Mixture: Add garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the sausage and cream cheese mixture. Stir well to incorporate all the seasonings.
- Cool Slightly: Remove the skillet from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly, about 5 minutes. This makes it easier to handle when filling the crescent rolls.
Step 2: Prepare the Crescent Rolls
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Open the Crescent Roll Dough: Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into triangles as indicated by the perforations.
- Fill the Crescents: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the sausage and cream cheese mixture onto the widest end of each crescent triangle. If desired, sprinkle a small amount of shredded cheddar cheese over the sausage mixture for extra cheesy flavor.
- Roll and Seal: Starting from the wide end, roll each triangle up towards the narrow end, encasing the sausage mixture inside the dough. Pinch the sides slightly to ensure the filling doesn’t spill out during baking.
Step 3: Bake the Crescents
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the filled crescents onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes or until the crescents are golden brown and fully cooked.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove from the oven and let the crescents cool slightly on a wire rack. Garnish with fresh parsley or chives, if desired, before serving.
Serving and Storage Tips:
Serving: Arrange warmed up crescent rolls on the serving platter to let others help themselves to the appetizers while further filling components of a dinner. For condiments, we recommend dips such as honey mustard, ranch dressing, or marinara sauce.
Storage: Seal leftovers properly in refrigerator for the next 3 days maximum.
Reheating: From 350°F/175°C oven for 5-7minutes or until heated through. Microwave may be used for heating, but the crescents might be less crunchy.
Helpful Notes:
Softened cream cheese: Using the cream cheese at room temperature would make it easier to work with when mixing with the sausage.
Customizable fillings: From diced mushrooms, jalapeños, bell peppers, or anything else you find in your kitchen, add to the sausage mix for a flavor to all at once. If you run out of the crescent rolls, just substitute with ready-to-bake biscuits or any canned biscuit mix.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs:
Alton Brown: Always use freshly ground sausage for much more flavor and avoid the pre-cooked variety since they tend to be very dry.
Ina Garten: Let the filled-wrapped crescents chill in the cooler for 15 minutes before baking to allow them to hold their shapes.
Gordon Ramsay: Gordon Ramsay stresses the importance of ingredients. High-quality crescent roll dough is just as essential as fresh herbs to lift up the concoction.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Will the crescents keep until the day of the event?
Yes, it is wise to prepare the sausage mixture as well as to fill up the crescents the day before the event. Keep covered crescents dough in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking them.
Can the crescents be frozen?
Yes, these freeze well for how simple they are. When the crescents are all baked and well-chilled, just put them away on a baking sheet in a single layer for a little while longer, but then seal them up in a bag in the freezer, keeping good for up to two months. They should be placed in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes to reheat before being baked from frozen.
What is the best sausage to use for this recipe?
Any ground sausage will do; however, breakfast sausage, Italian sausage, or spicy sausage happen to be a good choice. It all comes down to which flavor you feel will tickle your taste buds.
Can low-fat cream cheese be used?
Low-fat or reduced-fat cream cheese would work well without altering the flavor or texture.
Are there any vegetarian variations?
Vegetarian options include plant-based sausage and/or sautéed vegetables like mushrooms, bell peppers, and onions.
Are they gluten-free?
Use gluten-free crescent dough or you may also employ sausage and spices which are gluten-free.
How would I make them even crispier?
Brush the tops of the crescents with an egg before baking; this will make the crust on top even crispier and rich.
Can I add cheese inside?
Oh, of course. When served hot, one ought to add in some shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack for additional cheesy-savoriness.
Are they mini crete-rolls?
Cut the crescent dough smaller into triangles and added loads of sprinkles with a bit of filling for bite-size snacks.
What can I serve with cretins?
They are so versatile, perfect with any dipping sauce like Ranch, Honey Mustard, or Marinara sauce. They can also serve with salads, charcuterie boards, or a creamy soup.
Conclusion:
More-ish sausage and cream cheese Crescent Rolls are a tasty appetizer or snack suitable for just about any occasion. The outside crispness and inside creamy flavor provide a delightful contrast in textures and flavors. A guaranteed hit, Crescent Rolls will surely remain your repeat favorite in your recipe collection. Make them with love and share them with family and friends!
