Description
Sausage and Cream Cheese Pinwheels are a savory and creamy appetizer made with spicy sausage, rich cream cheese, and a blend of seasonings, all rolled up in a soft crescent dough. These pinwheels are baked to golden perfection and make for a delicious snack or party treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound breakfast sausage (spicy or mild, depending on preference)
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 can (8 oz) crescent roll dough
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the breakfast sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Continue cooking until the sausage is fully browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess grease, then set the sausage aside to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Once the sausage has cooled slightly, add it to the cream cheese mixture and stir to combine.
- Roll out the crescent roll dough on a flat surface, keeping it in one large sheet (instead of separating into triangles). Pinch the seams together to form one solid sheet of dough.
- Spread the sausage and cream cheese mixture evenly over the crescent roll dough, leaving about 1/4 inch around the edges.
- Starting from one edge, carefully roll up the dough tightly into a log, pinching the seam to seal it. Cut the rolled dough into 1-inch wide pinwheels.
- Place the pinwheels on the prepared baking sheet, arranging them with a little space between each one.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the pinwheels are golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- If you prefer a milder version, use mild breakfast sausage or even ground turkey sausage as a lighter option.
- You can add other seasonings like paprika or cayenne pepper for more flavor.
- These pinwheels can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to a day before baking. Simply cover them tightly with plastic wrap and bake when you’re ready to serve.
- For a fun variation, try adding sautéed onions, peppers, or even spinach to the filling for extra flavor and color.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pinwheel
- Calories: 140 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 20mg