Sausage cream cheese pinwheels are a scrumptious and easy-to-make appetizer, featuring a savory blend of spicy sausage and smooth cream cheese rolled in flaky crescent dough.

When baked, they transform into golden, bite-sized spirals with a delightful mix of rich, creamy filling and crispy, buttery pastry, making them an irresistible choice for gatherings and parties!

At Avdaye, we add lots of tips in all of our recipes – because we are a home cook without any formal training, and we find we are more confident making dishes when we understand why it works, and what each ingredient means to the flavor of a recipe. Our goal is for even the most beginner home cook to feel empowered in the kitchen.

How to Make Sausage Pinwheels

These pinwheels are always a hit at parties, or as afterschool snacks – we like to make a big batch and pop them in the fridge so when our kids are off school they can reheat for a meaty snack that holds hungry teens over until dinner.

Baked Ro-Tel Sausage Roll Ups Ingredients

First assemble the following ingredients:

Roll breakfast sausage (1-lb) – Sausage offers a robust and savory flavor, often seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices that can range from mildly herby to distinctly spicy.
Italian seasoning (1 tbsp) – Italian seasoning is a fragrant and savory blend of dried herbs like basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme, offering a warm, slightly sweet, and earthy flavor profile reminiscent of Mediterranean cuisine.
Cream cheese (8 oz) – Cream cheese has a mild, slightly tangy taste with a rich and creamy texture, making it a versatile base for both sweet and savory dishes.
Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies (10-oz) – Rotel Diced Tomatoes with Green Chiles combine the juicy, mildly sweet flavor of tomatoes with the zesty, slightly spicy kick of green chiles, creating a vibrant and tangy taste suited to adding a bold twist to dishes.
Crescent dough sheets (16 oz) – Crescent roll sheets have a buttery, slightly sweet flavor with a delightfully flaky and tender texture, suited to both sweet and savory fillings.

Baked Ro-Tel Sausage Roll Ups Steps

Once you've gathered your ingredients, we will use the following method:

Mix Filling

In a large bowl, mix together cooked sausage, italian sausage, cream cheese, and drained Rotel tomatoes and green chilies.

Spread Filling

Open each can of dough and roll into a rectangle. Spread each rectangle with ½ of the cream cheese mixture.

Roll

Roll each rectangle up jelly roll style.

Cut Pinwheels

cut into 16 pinwheels (32 total). Place on a parchment-paper lined baking sheet.

Bake

Bake for 15 to 18 minutes at 375 degrees, or until golden brown.

Kitchen notes

Choose Quality Sausage: Opt for high-quality sausage for better flavor. You can use mild or spicy depending on your preference.

Soften the Cream Cheese: Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing. This makes it easier to blend with other ingredients and spread.

Season Well: Don't forget to season the sausage and cream cheese mixture with herbs and spices like garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika for added flavor.

Roll Tightly: When assembling, roll the dough tightly to ensure the pinwheels hold their shape and have even layers of sausage and cream cheese.

Chill Before Slicing: Chill the rolled log in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This makes slicing into individual pinwheels much easier and cleaner.

Sharp Knife for Slicing: Use a sharp knife to cut the pinwheels. A serrated knife can help make clean cuts without squishing the dough.

Don't Overcrowd the Baking Sheet: Leave space between each pinwheel on the baking sheet to allow them to cook evenly and become crispy.

Egg Wash for a Golden Finish: Brush the pinwheels with an egg wash before baking for a beautiful golden color.

Keep an Eye on the Oven: Bake until they are golden brown and puffed up, but watch them closely to prevent burning.

Serve Warm: These pinwheels are best enjoyed warm, making them a great choice for parties or gatherings where they can be eaten soon after baking.

A few answers

What type of sausage is best for these pinwheels?

You can use any type of ground sausage you prefer. Italian sausage, both sweet and spicy, is a popular choice for its flavor, but breakfast sausage or even turkey sausage works well too.

Do we need to cook the sausage first?

Yes, the sausage should be fully cooked and cooled before mixing with the cream cheese and adding to the dough.

Can we use flavored cream cheese?

Absolutely! Flavored cream cheese like garlic and herb can add an extra layer of taste to your pinwheels.

Can we make these pinwheels in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the pinwheels and store them in the refrigerator overnight before slicing and baking. You can also freeze the rolled log and

How do we prevent the pinwheels from becoming soggy?

Make sure the sausage is well-drained and cooled after cooking to prevent excess moisture. Also, avoid overloading the dough with the filling.

What's the best way to slice the pinwheels?

Use a sharp or serrated knife, and try to cut them into even sizes, about 1/2 inch thick. Chilling the rolled log in the refrigerator before slicing can make this process easier.

Can we add vegetables to the filling?

Yes, adding finely chopped vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or spinach can enhance the flavor and nutritional value. sauté them first to remove excess moisture.

Serve it with

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Ingredients

1 1-lb roll breakfast sausage, cooked and crumbled
1 tbsp italian seasoning
1 8-oz cream cheese, softened
1 10-oz can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies drained well
2 8-oz cans refrigerated crescent dough sheets

Method

Preheat oven to 375ºF.
In a large bowl, mix together cooked sausage, italian sausage, cream cheese, and drained Rotel tomatoes and green chilies.
Open each can of dough and roll into a rectangle. Spread each rectangle with ½ of the cream cheese mixture. Roll each rectangle up jelly roll style and cut into 16 pinwheels (32 total). Place on a parchment-paper lined baking sheet.
Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown. Enjoy warm!