Why This Recipe Is a Keeper
Before we dive into the method, here is why these sausage cream cheese crescents will become a favorite.
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Only 4 ingredients. Simple and affordable.
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Ready in under 30 minutes.
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Flaky and cheesy. The perfect texture combination.
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Crowd-pleasing. Everyone loves sausage and cheese.
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Budget-friendly. Sausage, cream cheese, and crescent dough are inexpensive.
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Perfect for parties, game days, and gatherings.
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Great for leftovers.
Ingredients
Servings: 8
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1 pound breakfast sausage
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8 ounces cream cheese, softened
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2 cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
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1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Ingredient Notes
Sausage: Use breakfast sausage.
Cream cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese. Soften it to room temperature.
Crescent dough: Use refrigerated crescent roll dough.
Cheddar cheese: Use sharp cheddar for bold flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
Step 2: Cook the Sausage
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage until fully browned, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
Step 3: Make the Filling
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the softened cream cheese until melted and combined with the sausage. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until the filling is creamy and evenly mixed. Remove from the heat and let it cool slightly.
Step 4: Prepare the Crescent Dough
Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into triangles.
Step 5: Fill and Roll
Spoon a small amount of the sausage mixture onto the wide end of each triangle. Roll up each crescent, starting at the wide end and tucking in the filling as you go.
Step 6: Bake
Place them on the prepared baking sheet with a little space between each one. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the crescents are puffed and golden.
How to Serve Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents
These flaky, cheesy crescents are delicious on their own, but a few accompaniments make them even better.
With Mustard: Serve with honey mustard or spicy mustard.
With Ranch Dressing: Cool and creamy.
With Hot Sauce: Add a dash of heat.
With a Green Salad: Add to a party platter.
With Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle with parsley or chives.
Variations & Tips
Make Them with Spicy Sausage: Use hot breakfast sausage.
Make Them with Different Cheese: Use Monterey Jack or pepper jack.
Make Them with Herbs: Add thyme or rosemary.
Make Them with Bacon: Add crumbled bacon.
Make Them with Jalapeños: Add diced jalapeños.
Make Them with Onion: Add finely chopped onion.
Make Them with Garlic: Add garlic powder.
Make Them Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free crescent dough.
Make Them with Puff Pastry: Use puff pastry instead of crescent dough.
Pro Tips for Absolute Success
Let the filling cool slightly before adding to the dough. This prevents the dough from becoming soggy.
Do not overfill the crescents. This prevents leaking.
Bake until golden brown. This ensures the dough is cooked through.
Serve warm. They are best fresh from the oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different sausage?
Yes. Italian sausage or turkey sausage can be used.
Can I use a different cheese?
Yes. Monterey Jack or provolone can be used.
Can I use a different dough?
Yes. Puff pastry can be used.
Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble and refrigerate. Bake just before serving.
Can I freeze these crescents?
Yes. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
How long do leftovers last?
Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Why is my cheese leaking out?
The crescents were overfilled. Use less filling.
Can I add more cheese?
Yes. Use up to 1 1/2 cups.
Can I use a different pan?
Yes. Any baking sheet works.
Can I make these in a slow cooker?
This recipe is designed for the oven.
The Beauty of Southern Appetizers
There is something deeply satisfying about a warm, flaky, cheesy, savory crescent that comes together with almost no effort. It is the kind of food that makes people happy. These sausage cream cheese crescents are a celebration of all those things.
Keep sausage in your freezer. Keep crescent dough in your fridge. Keep cream cheese and cheddar in your fridge. This recipe is the reason why.
Recipe Card
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 12 to 15 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 35 minutes
Yield: 8 servings