Sausage Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls
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Sausage Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls are savory, golden crescent rolls that are stuffed with creamy sausage filling and baked to perfection. Making them a go-to comfort food for breakfast, brunch, or game day snacks. With just a few ingredients and minimal prep, they deliver big flavor with cozy, crowd-pleasing appeal.
I love to use cream cheese in recipes. I even like to make flavored cream cheese like my Apple Cinnamon Cream Cheese. Give it a try for bagels or your next party.
Why this Sausage Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls Recipe Works
Sausage Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls are the kind of recipe you’ll make once and never forget. They hit that sweet spot between nostalgic and practical. They are comforting like a sausage biscuit, but easier to portion and serve.
- Ridiculously easy: Just brown, mix, fill, and bake these easy 3 ingredient bites.
- Crowd-friendly: Perfect for potlucks, parties, or picky eaters. Like my bisquick sausage balls, these crescent rolls are the perfect snack.
- Versatile: Serve them for breakfast, brunch, or as a hearty appetizer.
- Freezer-friendly: Make ahead and reheat without losing flavor or texture
- Can Feed a Crowd: It can easily be scaled up to feed a large group, making it perfect for gatherings.
What type of Sausage is Best for the Rolls?
Honestly, it is whatever your family likes or have on hand. You can use a breakfast sausage, sweet italian sausage or even a hot sausage. For a great party appetizer you can make several kind using different cream cheese and sausage varieties.
Pro Tip: Chill the Filling Before Assembly
Chill the filling before assembly. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before filling the crescent dough. It is easier to handle, cleaner and helps filling from leaking.
Ingredient Notes for Sausage and Cream Cheese Rolls
Each ingredient plays a role in creating a balanced bite. They are crispy, creamy, savory, and satisfying. Want help adapting this for allergy-friendly or vegetarian versions? I’d be happy to help brainstorm swaps!
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Sausage: It adds a savory, spiced flavor and hearty texture. It brings depth, saltiness, and a satisfying bite. You can also use a savory sausage. I use a Jimmy Dean tube for the pork sausage crumbles.
- Cream Cheese: Binds the filling and adds creamy richness. It creates a smooth, spreadable texture that keeps the filling moist during baking.
- Crescent Roll Dough: You will need to can packages of crescent roll dough. Acts as the buttery, flaky wrapper. Roll the dough and spread the sausage mixture. So easy!
Variations and Substitutions for the Sausage and Cream Cheese Crescents
In place of bites you can make the sausage and cream cheese mixture in one large bake in a casserole dish and cut them into bite size pieces. You can always use a low-fat cream cheese for the sausage ball filling.
- Different Sausage: In place of pork sausage, use turkey sausage, spicy sausage chorizo, or plant-based sausage crumbles.
- Cheese: Add shredded sharp cheddar cheese, pepper jack, or mozzarella to the filling. Try a flavored cram cheese spread with garlic and herbs.
- Spice: Mix in diced jalapeños, hot sauce, or taco seasoning for a kick. Make a Rotel sausage and cream cheese bites. Add a can of spicy rotel to the filling mixture.
- Dough: Substitute puff pastry or biscuit dough for a different texture. You can also use a reduced-fat crescent rolls package too.
Special Equipment Needed to Make this Appetizer
This easy recipe does not require a bunch of special equipment. However a great tablespoon cookie scoop and parchment paper will really help make these easy breakfast treats.
- Cookie Scoop: Include at least 1 full sentence why you need this.
- Parchment Paper: Include at least 1 full sentence why you need this.
How to Make Sausage Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls
You can use these for breakfast or brunch or for a superbowl party. The plate wll always be cleared.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Prep and Brown the Sausage Mixture: Preheat the oven and cook the sausage and vegetables over medium heat until fully browned. Drain excess grease.
- Mix the Cream Cheese Mixture: In a bowl, combine the cooked sausage with softened cream cheese until smooth and evenly blended.
- Fill the Crescent Rolls: Unroll crescent dough and separate into triangles, cut in half. Place a spoonful of sausage cream cheese mixture on the wide end of each triangle.
- Roll and Bake: Roll the crescent dough triangle, starting from the wide end. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes, until golden brown.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Easy Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents
Make the mornings or the special occasion easier with these make ahead tips. Have them ready to bake.
- Sausage: Brown sausage in a skillet and mix with cream cheese up to 3 days ahead.
- Fill: Pre-fill crescent rolls with the creamy cheese mixture and refrigerate overnight.
- Freeze: Freeze unbaked rolls on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag. Place in the oven and bake. Bake from frozen, adding 2–3 minutes to the cook time.
Alternate Cooking Methods for Cream Cheese Sausage Crescent Bites
You can make this easy appetizer several different ways and still produce a golden brown crescent roll.
- Air fryer: Cook at 325°F for 8–10 minutes. Check halfway for browning.
- Toaster oven: Great for small batches—use the bake setting and watch closely.
- Roaster oven: Ideal for holiday prep or large batches. Bake at 375°F for 12–15 minutes.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Sausage Crescent Rolls
If you want to get ahead of time you can make and store the rolls or you can use the leftovers in many creative ways.
- Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat: Microwave for 20–30 seconds or bake at 350°F for 5–7 minutes.
- Use leftovers:
- Chop and add to scrambled eggs or breakfast burritos.
- Serve with marinara or ranch for dipping.
- Slice and pack in lunchboxes for a savory snack.
Common Questions About the Sausage Cream Cheese Crescent Bakes
Yes, there are Hawaiian Crescents or you could use a biscuit like Grands and fill them for a different bite. You can also change up the flavor by brushing the top with butter and garlic, Sprinkle extra cheese on top or add a little heat.
Use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative. Popular options include: Violife, Tofutti, or Daiya cream cheese-style spreads. You can use a dairy free Shredded cheese too. Watch because most crescent doughs contain some dairy.
The sausage filling may have been too moist. It is important to drain excess fat and let mixture cool, or
Expert Tips for Making Sausage Crescent Rolls
Here are a few tips and tricks to make these sausage rolls even better. After all, we want to serve our family and friends the best treats.
- Don’t overfill: A tablespoon of filling per triangle is plenty.
- Seal edges well: Pinch seams to prevent leaks.
- Chill filling: Cold filling is easier to work with and less messy.
- Brush tops: A little melted butter or egg wash adds golden color and flavor.
- Serve warm: They’re best fresh from the oven, but reheating works beautifully.
- Serve this recipe with: For brunch I love to serve these with my Bacon Spinach Quiche, Blueberry Pancake Muffins and my Breakfast Biscuit Casserole.
More Recipes You Might Like
Easy Sausage Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound Pork Sausage
- 2 teaspoons Garlic, minced
- ¼ Onion, minced
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese, Softened
- 1 Cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese , or Mozzarella Cheese
- 16 Ounces Crescent Rolls, 2-8 ounce cans
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- In a skillet over medium heat add in the onion. Saute until the onion is softened.
- Add the garlic to the skillet, and saute for 30 seconds longer. Remove, and let the mixture cool.
- In a skillet, cook the breakfast sausage over medium heat, breaking it apart until no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat. Add to the onion mixture and allow to cool slightly.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked sausage mixture and the softened cream cheese and shredded cheese; stir until the mixture is well blended.
- Unroll the crescent rolls and slice each triangle in half with a pizza cutter.
- On a parchment-lined baking sheet, take each crescent roll piece and place a scoop of the sausage-cream cheese mixture on the wider base of the triangle.
- Roll the crescent up toward the tip, wrapping the filling inside. Place the rolls, seam-side down, on the baking sheet.
- Bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until the crescent roll dough is golden brown and cooked through.
Christina’s Notes
- Drain the Sausage Completely: This is the most critical step to prevent soggy bottoms.
- Crumble and cook your sausage thoroughly.
- Drain ALL the grease. You can even press the cooked sausage with a paper towel or transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to wick away any remaining fat.
- Use Softened Cream Cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing. This ensures a smooth, lump-free filling that combines easily with the sausage.
- Mix While Warm (But Not Hot): Add the cream cheese to the warm (not sizzling hot) drained sausage. The residual heat helps the cream cheese incorporate smoothly, but if it’s too hot, the cream cheese will melt too much and become oily.
- Keep the Filling Cold Before Assembly: Once mixed, chill the filling in the refrigerator for about 15-30 minutes. A cold, firm filling is much easier to scoop, shape, and keeps the dough from tearing during assembly.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.
