Cream Cheese & Sausage Balls with Rotel Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pound breakfast sausage (like Jimmy Dean or similar)
• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 (10 oz) can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a cheese blend)
• 2 cups Bisquick or your favorite baking mix
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: chopped green onions or cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the Sausage:
   In a skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until it is browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat and set aside to cool slightly.
3. Mix the Ingredients:
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, drained Rotel, shredded cheese, baking mix, garlic powder, onion powder, and the cooked sausage. Stir well until all ingredients are fully combined. You may need to use your hands to mix everything thoroughly.
4. Form the Balls:
   Using your hands, form mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
5. Bake:
   Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the sausage balls are golden brown and cooked through.
6. Serve:
   Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Optionally, you can garnish with chopped green onions or cilantro.
7. Enjoy:
   Serve warm as an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ranch or a spicy dipping sauce.

Tips:

• You can adjust the level of spiciness by choosing mild or hot Rotel.
• For a cheesy variation, you could add more cheese or use different cheese types.
• These sausage balls can be made ahead of time and frozen before baking. Just bake them directly from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Enjoy your creamy, cheesy sausage balls with a delightful kick from the Rotel!