Rotel Sausage Cheese Balls (Printable)

Tender, spiced sausage balls bursting with cheddar and Rotel tomatoes for the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb breakfast sausage (pork or turkey, spicy or mild), cold

→ Cheeses

02 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 can (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, well drained

→ Baking & Seasonings

04 - 1½ cups Bisquick or other baking mix
05 - ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Drain Rotel tomatoes thoroughly using a mesh strainer or paper towels to prevent excess moisture.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine sausage, shredded cheddar, drained Rotel, Bisquick, and garlic powder if using.
04 - Mix thoroughly using your hands or a sturdy spoon until the mixture is fully combined and cohesive.
05 - Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls using a cookie scoop or your hands. Place balls evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
06 - Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
07 - Remove from oven, let cool slightly, and serve warm.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • These disappear faster than you can bake them, so consider doubling the batch for your own sanity
  • The Rotel tomatoes add just enough kick to make them interesting without overwhelming anyone who claims they hate spicy food
02 -
  • The first time I made these, I didnt drain the tomatoes well enough and ended up with dense, slightly gummy balls that were still delicious but definitely not right
  • Mixing with your hands feels weird but is genuinely the best way to distribute everything evenly
03 -
  • If the mixture feels too sticky to roll, pop it in the fridge for 15 minutes to firm up slightly
  • For extra crispy bottoms, skip the parchment and bake directly on a greased baking sheet
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