Rotel Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

Key Ingredients:
Sausage: A high-quality ground sausage adds richness and a little spice. Mild sausage works well for most, but if you love heat, consider a spicy or hot sausage.
Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese is the key to making these sausage balls super creamy and moist. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing.

Rotel Tomatoes and Green Chilies: The secret ingredient! This can of diced tomatoes and chilies gives these sausage balls their spicy kick and juicy texture. Drain them well to avoid extra liquid in the mixture.
Cheddar Cheese: Shredded cheddar brings that familiar, gooey cheesiness. Freshly shredded cheese melts better, but pre-shredded works if you’re short on time.

Biscuit Baking Mix (e.g., Bisquick): The baking mix gives structure to the sausage balls and a hint of buttery flavor. Bisquick is classic, but any biscuit mix will do.

Seasonings
Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: These add depth without overpowering the sausage flavor.
Black Pepper: A touch of black pepper rounds out the flavor with a bit of warmth.

Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Set the Temperature: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure even cooking with a golden-brown exterior.

Step 2: Prepare the Baking Sheet
Grease or Line the Sheet: Lightly grease a baking sheet with oil or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking and simplify cleanup.
Step 3: Mix the Ingredients
Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the following:
1 pound ground sausage
8 ounces softened cream cheese
1 can (10 ounces) Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups biscuit baking mix (like Bisquick)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Mix Well: Use a wooden spoon or your hands to mix until all ingredients are fully combined, ensuring cheese and seasonings are evenly distributed.

Step 4: Shape the Sausage Balls
Form the Balls: Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls using your hands, aiming for uniform size for even cooking.
Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet about 1 inch apart to allow for heat circulation.

Step 5: Bake the Sausage Balls
Bake in the Oven: Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. To confirm doneness, check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) with a meat thermometer.

Step 6: Cool and Garnish

Cool Slightly: Allow the sausage balls to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes to firm up.
Garnish: Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions for added color and flavor.

Step 7: Serve
Serve Warm: Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy warm. Pair with a dipping sauce like ranch, spicy mayo, or honey mustard for extra flavor.

Happy cooking, and enjoy every delicious bite of these sausage balls!