I’ll never forget the time I attempted to wow my friends with a fancy puff pastry. It was supposed to be an elegant centerpiece, but it emerged from the oven looking more like a deflated balloon. Cue the collective laughter and my internal promise to find foolproof recipes. Enter these Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents—a simple, reliable, and utterly delicious appetizer that never fails to impress. Perfect for gatherings, game days, or even a cozy night in, these crescents are a surefire hit with minimal effort.
Why You’ll Love Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents
These crescent rolls are more than just an appetizer—they’re little bites of pure comfort. Here’s why they’ll quickly become a staple in your recipe rotation:
- Foolproof and Easy: With just a handful of ingredients and simple steps, even novice cooks can nail this recipe.
- Versatile: Serve them as party snacks, a side dish, or even a quick breakfast option.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavors: The creamy, cheesy filling paired with the flaky, buttery crescent dough is an irresistible combination.
- Customizable: From swapping the cheese to spicing things up with hot sausage, the recipe can be tailored to your taste.
Preparation Time and Servings
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
- Total Time: 27–30 minutes
- Yield: Makes 16 crescents
Ingredients of Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents
To whip up these tasty crescents, you’ll need the following:
- 2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent roll dough: The star of the show, providing a flaky, golden crust.
- 1 pound ground sausage (beef or turkey): Adds savory flavor and hearty texture to the filling.
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened: Creates a rich, creamy base for the filling.
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional): Enhances the cheesy goodness and adds a melty texture.
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder: Infuses a subtle garlicky aroma.
- Salt and pepper, to taste: Balances and enhances the overall flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preheat Your Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
Cook the Sausage
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground sausage. Use a spatula to break it into crumbles as it cooks. Stir occasionally and cook until browned and fully cooked through, which should take about 7–10 minutes. Drain any excess grease and set the sausage aside to cool slightly.
Prepare the Filling
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the cooked sausage with the softened cream cheese. Stir until smooth and well blended. If you’re using shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, add them to the mixture now. Adjust the seasoning to your taste—this is your chance to customize the filling!
Assemble the Crescents
Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into individual triangles. Place a heaping tablespoon of the sausage and cream cheese mixture onto the wide end of each triangle. Starting from the wide end, roll the dough toward the pointed end, encasing the filling. Arrange the rolled crescents on the prepared baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches of space between each to allow for spreading.
Bake
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the crescents are golden brown and flaky. Keep an eye on them in the last few minutes to ensure they don’t overbake.
Serve and Enjoy
Once out of the oven, let the crescents cool for a few minutes before serving. They’re best enjoyed warm, straight from the oven, when the filling is gooey and the dough is perfectly crisp.
Tips and Variations of Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents
Cheese Choices
- Swap out cheddar for mozzarella, pepper jack, or even gouda for a unique flavor twist.
- Add a sprinkle of Parmesan on top of the crescents before baking for a crispy, cheesy crust.
Spice It Up
- Use spicy Italian sausage or add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling for a little kick.
- Sprinkle paprika or cayenne on the crescent rolls before baking for added heat and color.
Make Ahead
- Save time on the day of your event by preparing the sausage and cream cheese mixture up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble the crescents.
Storage and Reheating
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, place the crescents on a baking sheet and warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. This helps maintain their flaky texture.
Nutritional Information (Per Crescent)
- Calories: ~220
- Carbohydrates: ~12g
- Protein: ~7g
- Fat: ~16g
- Saturated Fat: ~7g
- Cholesterol: ~35mg
- Sodium: ~400mg
Why These Crescents Are Perfect for Gatherings
These crescents are a host’s best friend. They’re quick to prepare, easy to transport, and universally loved. Whether you’re hosting a game night, potluck, or holiday party, they’re guaranteed to disappear in minutes. Pair them with a dipping sauce—like marinara, ranch, or honey mustard—for added flair.
Customizing to Your Crowd
These crescents are endlessly adaptable, making them ideal for tailoring to your audience. Need a vegetarian version? Swap the sausage for sautéed mushrooms or a spinach and feta mixture. Hosting breakfast? Use breakfast sausage and serve alongside scrambled eggs and fruit. The possibilities are as limitless as your creativity.
The Magic of Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents
There’s something so satisfying about a recipe that’s both easy to make and wildly popular. These Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents check all the boxes—they’re flaky, creamy, savory, and customizable to suit any occasion. Plus, their bite-sized format makes them perfect for sharing, ensuring everyone gets a taste of their buttery, cheesy goodness.
Why You Should Make Them Today
Perfect for Every Occasion
Whether you’re hosting a game day gathering, preparing for a holiday party, or planning a family movie night, these Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents fit seamlessly into any menu. They’re the kind of snack that disappears quickly at potlucks and always gets rave reviews from guests. Their bite-sized shape and flaky, buttery texture make them ideal for serving as appetizers, side dishes, or even hearty snacks.
A Foolproof Recipe for All Skill Levels
Not a seasoned baker? No problem! These crescents are designed to be simple enough for beginners while still delivering impressive results. The recipe uses convenient ingredients like refrigerated crescent roll dough, which eliminates the need for complicated pastry techniques. Even if you’ve never cooked before, you’ll find these crescents easy to assemble and bake to perfection.
Quick and Convenient
Life gets busy, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice delicious, homemade snacks. These crescents come together in just 30 minutes, including prep and baking time. With minimal effort and maximum flavor, they’re perfect for those moments when you want to serve something homemade but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.
Customizable to Suit Any Taste
Another reason to love these crescents is their versatility. You can easily adapt the filling to suit your preferences or the occasion. Want to add a spicy kick? Use hot sausage or sprinkle in some red pepper flakes. Prefer a different cheese? Swap out cheddar for mozzarella, pepper jack, or gouda. You can even make vegetarian versions by substituting the sausage with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or a mix of your favorite veggies.
Crowd-Pleasing Flavors
There’s something universally appealing about the combination of creamy, cheesy filling and flaky crescent dough. The savory sausage pairs perfectly with the richness of cream cheese, while the optional garlic powder and shredded cheddar add an extra layer of flavor. These crescents are so irresistible that even picky eaters will come back for seconds (or thirds!).
Make-Ahead Friendly
Need to get a jumpstart on your party prep? The sausage and cream cheese filling can be prepared up to three days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This means you can assemble and bake the crescents fresh on the day of your event, ensuring they’re warm and flaky when served.
A Snack That Brings People Together
Food has a way of creating connections, and these crescents are no exception. Whether you’re baking them for a family gathering or sharing them with friends, they’re sure to spark conversations and smiles. There’s something special about watching everyone reach for seconds and hearing them rave about how good they are.
Perfect for Leftovers
If you somehow end up with leftovers (a rare occurrence with these crescents!), they store and reheat beautifully. Simply place them in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, pop them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes, and they’ll taste just as fresh as when they came out of the oven.
Why Wait? Make Them Today!
So, why not make these Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents today? With their quick prep, versatile flavors, and guaranteed crowd-pleasing appeal, they’re the perfect solution for any occasion. Preheat your oven, roll up some crescents, and prepare for the compliments to roll in. Whether you’re serving them to guests or enjoying them yourself, these crescents deliver on all fronts—flavor, ease, and pure comfort in every bite. Baking truly doesn’t get any easier—or more delicious—than this!
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Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents: The Perfect Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer
- Total Time: 27–30 minutes
- Yield: 16 crescents 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents are the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer. With a creamy, savory filling wrapped in buttery crescent roll dough, these easy-to-make treats are perfect for parties, brunches, or even a quick snack.
Ingredients
- 2 cans (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1 pound ground sausage (beef or turkey)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cook Sausage: In a skillet over medium heat, cook sausage until browned, breaking into crumbles (7–10 minutes). Drain excess grease.
- Prepare Filling: Combine cooked sausage with softened cream cheese. Stir in cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble Crescents: Unroll crescent roll dough into triangles. Place a tablespoon of filling on the wide end of each triangle. Roll up from the wide end to the point.
- Bake: Place crescents on a baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Serve: Let cool for a few minutes before serving warm.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use spicy sausage or add red pepper flakes.
- Substitute cheddar with mozzarella or pepper jack for a different twist.
- Prepare filling up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate until needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American