This recipe provides instructions for making a savory and satisfying Sausage and Cheese Crescent Ring, a delightful dish perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a light meal. This ring features a flaky and golden-brown crescent roll crust filled with seasoned sausage and melted cheese, all baked together into an attractive and easy-to-serve ring shape. The crescent rolls create a light and buttery crust that beautifully encases the savory filling. The sausage, typically browned and crumbled, provides a rich and flavorful meaty component. The cheese, which melts and becomes gooey during baking, adds a creamy and savory element that complements the sausage perfectly. The ring shape not only makes for an appealing presentation but also allows for easy serving and sharing. This Sausage and Cheese Crescent Ring is incredibly versatile and can be customized with additional ingredients such as sautéed onions, bell peppers, spinach, or different types of cheese to suit individual preferences. It’s a simple yet impressive dish that comes together quickly, especially when using pre-made crescent roll dough. The aroma of the baking sausage and cheese enveloped in the buttery crust is simply irresistible. This ring can be served on its own or with a side of fruit, a dollop of sour cream, or your favorite dipping sauce for an extra touch. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that is perfect for holiday brunches, potlucks, or a special weekend breakfast. The image shows a golden-brown crescent ring filled with sausage and melted cheese on a baking sheet. The ring is made of flaky pastry that has been shaped into a circle with the filling visible in the center openings. The sausage appears browned and crumbled, and the cheese is melted and gooey, with some slightly browned edges.
The texture of Sausage and Cheese Crescent Ring is a delightful combination of a flaky and buttery crust from the crescent rolls and a warm, savory, and slightly chewy filling of browned sausage and gooey, melted cheese.
The flavor profile is a savory and satisfying blend of the rich, seasoned taste of the sausage and the creamy, often slightly sharp or salty flavor of the melted cheese, all encased in a buttery and slightly tangy crescent roll crust.
Sausage and Cheese Crescent Ring is a savory and easy-to-make dish featuring a flaky crescent roll crust filled with seasoned sausage and melted cheese, baked into an attractive ring shape.
The preparation involves browning sausage, arranging crescent roll dough in a ring, topping with sausage and cheese, folding the dough over the filling, and then baking until golden brown.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground sausage (breakfast sausage, Italian sausage, or your favorite)
- 2 (8 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, a blend, or your favorite)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash, optional)
- Optional additions:
- ½ cup chopped onion, sautéed
- ½ cup chopped bell pepper, sautéed
- 1 cup chopped spinach, sautéed and drained
- Garlic powder, onion powder, or other seasonings to taste
Equipment:
- Large skillet
- Baking sheet
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spoon or spatula
- Small bowl (for egg wash, optional)
- Pastry brush (optional, for egg wash)
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
- Brown the Sausage: In a large skillet, cook the ground sausage over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon until it is browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease. If using, stir in any optional sautéed onions, bell peppers, or spinach, and any additional seasonings like garlic powder or onion powder, during the last few minutes of cooking the sausage.
- Prepare the Crescent Roll Dough: Unroll both cans of crescent roll dough. Arrange the triangles in a ring on the prepared baking sheet, with the wide ends overlapping slightly in the center of the ring. The pointed ends should be facing outward. You will create a circle with a gap in the middle.
- Add the Filling: Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese over the wide, overlapping ends of the crescent roll dough in the center of the ring. Spread the cooked sausage evenly over the cheese and the dough. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the sausage.
- Fold the Dough: Carefully bring each pointed end of the crescent roll dough up and over the sausage and cheese filling, tucking the tip under the center layer of dough to create a sealed ring.
- Apply Egg Wash (Optional): In a small bowl, beat the egg. Brush the top of the crescent ring with the beaten egg wash for a golden-brown and glossy finish.
- Bake the Ring: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Carefully slide the Sausage and Cheese Crescent Ring onto a serving platter. Slice and serve warm.
Tips and Variations:
- Cheese Variations: Feel free to use any cheese or combination of cheeses you like, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper jack for a spicy kick, or a blend of Italian cheeses.
- Vegetarian Option: For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage and increase the amount of vegetables like sautéed mushrooms, onions, peppers, and spinach. You could also add a vegetarian sausage substitute or cooked lentils.
- Herb Enhancements: Sprinkle some dried herbs like Italian seasoning or oregano over the filling before baking for added flavor.
- Spicy Kick: Add some diced jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sausage mixture for a bit of heat.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the crescent ring ahead of time, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if starting from cold.
- Dipping Sauces: Serve the Sausage and Cheese Crescent Ring with your favorite dipping sauces, such as marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or a spicy cheese sauce.
Enjoy this easy and delicious Sausage and Cheese Crescent Ring! It’s a versatile dish that is perfect for any occasion.