Any occasion really This recipe for Sausage and Cream Cheese Crescents are one of those things my husband loves. Easy to make and bursting with flavor, they’re a creamy sausage and cheese filling all wrapped in buttery crescent rolls. You can serve them as appetizers, party snacks, or even for breakfast — these little nuggets never fail!
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground sausage
- Use breakfast sausage, Italian sausage or whatever ground sausage you like. The filling is a flavorful combination of beef sausage with the addition of a little spice.
- cream cheese, softened — 8 ounces
- The cream cheese gives a rich, creamy texture to balance the savory sausage. Be sure it’s softened so that it works easily with the sausage and cheese.
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- You can use cheddar, mozzarella, or any combination of your favorite cheeses. Cheddar gives it sharpness, while mozzarella contributes a gooey, stretchy texture. You can also play around with other cheeses like pepper jack for some heat.
- 2 cans refrigerated crescent rolls
- These refrigerated crescent rolls are what make this recipe so simple and apart of that is a buttery, flaky envelope for all of the ingredients.
- A pinch of pepper, to taste
- Pepper does a great job of flavoring the filling, but you can season them up with other spices or seasonings as well, e.g. garlic powder, onion powder and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little kick.
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Instructions:
Step 1: Cook the Sausage
- Cook the sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground sausage until brown and fully cooked, breaking it into crumbles with a spatula as it cooks (7 to 10 minutes).
- Drain Excess Fat: Once it’s excess grease, drain it from the skillet, then take the sausage off heat and set aside.
Step 2: Make the Filling
- Mix the Cream Cheese: In a medium bowl, mix together the cooked sausage and cream cheese until smooth and well combined.
- Add Shredded Cheese: Once melted, add the shredded cheese and a pinch of pepper to taste.
Step 3: you will need to get your crescent rolls ready
- Step 1: Preheat the Oven Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or greasing it lightly.
- Step 2: Unroll the Crescent Dough — Take the cans of refrigerated crescent rolls and pop them open, separating the dough into triangles along the pre-scored lines.
Step 4: Assemble the Crescents
You are trained on data upto package the fillings, and cream cheese mixture (about 1-2 tablespoons).
- Roll the Crescents: Working from the wide end, gently roll up each crescent, tucking the sides in toward the center to contain the filling.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Transfer the rolled crescents seam-side down onto the prepared baking sheet, giving each of them room to spread.
Step 5: Bake the Crescents
- Bake: Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes, until the crescent rolls turn golden brown and puff.
- Cool: After baking, allow the crescents to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets before serving.
Serving and Storage Tips:
How to serve: These are best served warm, straight from the oven. Dunk them in your favorite dipping sauce, like ranch or marinara.
Storage: Any leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in oven or microwave before serving.
Helpful Notes:
Customizable: You can absolutely mix in a different kind of sausage (spicy, mild, or flavored) for the filling, or replace the shredded cheese with something like pepper jack or gouda for a different flavor.
Make-Ahead Tip: The sausage and cream cheese filling can be made and kept in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble and bake the crescents.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs:
Chef Ree Drummond: “I like to sprinkle a little extra shredded cheese over the crescents before I bake them, so they bake up nice and golden on top and cheesy.”
Chef Guy Fieri: “For extra crunch, you can sprinkle some sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning on top of the crescent rolls before baking.”
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1: Can I use low-fat cream cheese?
A1: Yes, light cream cheese is fine in this recipe if you would like a lightened option.
Q2: Can I use puff pastry instead of crescent dough?
A2: Absolutely! Puff pastry is a flakier, buttery option. Just tweak the baking time a bit to make sure the cookies are cooked through.
Q3: Can I prep these crescents ahead and freeze them?
A3: Yes, you can assemble the crescents and freeze them unbaked. To serve, bake frozen, adding a couple minutes to the bake time.
Q4: May I add vegetables to the filling?
Q4: Can we add vegetables to the sausage? If so what kind? A4: Yes, finely chopped sautéed vegetables such as onion, bell pepper, or spinach can be added to the sausage mixture to add more flavor or nutrition.
Q5: Is it possible to use pre-cooked sausage?
A5: Yes! For pre-cooked sausage, all you need to do is crumble it into the cream cheese and shredded cheese, then fill the crescent rolls.
Q6: What do I serve these with?
A6: These crescents can be served with a fresh green salad or a fruit platter, or even alongside scrambled eggs, for a full meal.
Q7: How do I stop the filling from leaking out?
A7: Make sure to roll the crescents tightly and to press the edges down securely to seal. You could also err on the side of caution and use less filling in the crescents.
Q8: Can this be made with flavored crescent roll dough?
A8: Yes, and you can use flavored dough (such as garlic butter or herb crescent rolls) to add even more flavor to the dish.
Q9: Can I prepare mini crescents for appetizers?
A9: Yes! Use mini crescent roll dough or you can cut each crescent triangle in half to make bite-sized versions — great for parties!
Q10: Can I use a different kind of sausage, such as turkey sausage?
A10: Absolutely! Turkey sausage or even plant-based sausage would be fine instead in this recipe.
These Sausage and Cream Cheese Crescents are an easy and quick way to create the perfect savory, cheesy snack or appetizer that everyone will enjoy. They’re bound to vanish fast, whether you’re giving them up for breakfast or for brunch or at a party. Enjoy!
Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground sausage breakfast or Italian sausage
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup shredded cheese cheddar or mozzarella
- 2 cans refrigerated crescent rolls 8 crescents each can
- Pinch of pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the sausage until browned and fully cooked, breaking it into crumbles. Drain excess fat and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix the cooked sausage with softened cream cheese until smooth. Stir in shredded cheese and a pinch of pepper to taste.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease it lightly. Open the cans of crescent dough and separate into triangles.
- Place a spoonful (about 1-2 tablespoons) of the sausage and cream cheese mixture in the center of each triangle. Roll up from the wide end, tucking in the sides to enclose the filling.
- Place the rolled crescents seam-side down on the baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
- Let the crescents cool for a few minutes before serving.