These Savory Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents are a delightful and easy-to-make appetizer or light meal featuring flaky crescent roll pastry filled with a flavorful mixture of cooked sausage and creamy cheese. They are a popular choice for breakfast, brunch, parties, and snack time due to their simplicity and satisfying taste. The base of this recipe is typically pre-made crescent roll dough, which provides a light, buttery, and flaky crust when baked. The filling is a savory blend of cooked and crumbled sausage (often breakfast sausage, which is seasoned), cream cheese for richness and creaminess, and sometimes shredded cheese like cheddar or Monterey Jack for added flavor and texture. The sausage is usually browned in a skillet and drained of any excess grease before being mixed with the softened cream cheese and other cheeses. The mixture is then spread onto the individual crescent roll triangles, which are rolled up and baked until golden brown and puffed. The combination of the savory, seasoned sausage and the tangy, creamy cheese encased in the flaky pastry is incredibly appealing. These crescents are quick to assemble, especially when using pre-made dough, making them a convenient option for busy hosts or a simple family treat. They can be served warm, allowing the cheese to be melty and the pastry to be at its flakiest. Variations can include adding ingredients like chopped onions, bell peppers, spinach, or different herbs and spices to the sausage and cream cheese mixture to customize the flavor profile. A sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds on top before baking can add extra texture and visual interest. These Savory Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, offering a satisfying bite that is both savory and comforting.
The texture of Savory Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents is a wonderful contrast between the light, flaky, and buttery crescent roll pastry and the smooth, creamy, and slightly chewy filling of sausage and cheese. The pastry layers become crisp and golden brown when baked, providing a delicate crunch. The filling is moist and tender, with the cooked sausage offering a slightly crumbly texture and the melted cream cheese creating a smooth and rich interior. If shredded cheese is added, it contributes a gooey and melty element to the filling.
The flavor profile is predominantly savory and rich. The cooked sausage, often seasoned with herbs and spices, provides a hearty and flavorful base. The cream cheese adds a tangy and creamy counterpoint, balancing the richness of the sausage. Any additional cheeses, like cheddar, contribute their specific flavor notes, often sharp and slightly salty. The buttery flavor of the crescent roll pastry complements the savory filling beautifully, creating a well-rounded and satisfying taste.
Savory Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents are incredibly versatile and suitable for a variety of occasions. They make a delicious and easy breakfast or brunch option. They are also a popular appetizer for parties, potlucks, and game-day gatherings, as they are easy to handle and offer a flavorful bite. Their simplicity and crowd-pleasing nature make them a go-to recipe for many.
The preparation of Savory Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents involves cooking the sausage, mixing it with cream cheese and any other desired cheeses and seasonings, spreading the mixture onto crescent roll dough, rolling them up, and then baking until golden brown. The sausage is typically browned in a skillet and drained of excess grease. While the sausage cools slightly, the cream cheese is softened and then mixed with the cooked sausage and any other cheeses or flavorings. Pre-made crescent roll dough is unrolled and separated into triangles. A spoonful of the sausage and cheese mixture is placed on the wide end of each triangle, and the dough is rolled up towards the point. The rolled crescents are then placed on a baking sheet and baked in a preheated oven until the pastry is golden brown and puffed, and the filling is heated through and melty.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground pork sausage (breakfast sausage, seasoned)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack cheese (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions or other herbs (optional)
- 2 (8 ounce) cans refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash, optional)
- Everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds (optional, for topping)
Equipment:
- Large skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Spoon or spatula
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper (optional, for easier cleanup)
- Small bowl and brush (if using egg wash)
Instructions:
- Cook the Sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground pork sausage until it is browned and cooked through. Drain off any excess grease.
- Prepare the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cooked sausage, and shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese (if using). Stir in chopped green onions or other herbs, if desired. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly combined.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easier cleanup, if desired.
- Assemble the Crescents: Unroll the cans of refrigerated crescent roll dough and separate them into individual triangles.
- Fill the Dough: Place a spoonful (about 2-3 tablespoons) of the sausage and cream cheese mixture onto the wide end of each crescent roll triangle.
- Roll Up the Crescents: Starting at the wide end, roll up each triangle towards the point. Gently pinch the edges to seal in the filling.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the rolled crescents on the prepared baking sheet, with the points tucked underneath.
- Brush with Egg Wash (Optional): In a small bowl, beat the egg. Brush the tops of the crescents with the egg wash for a golden and glossy finish.
- Add Topping (Optional): Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds over the egg wash, if desired.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crescent rolls are golden brown and puffed. The filling should be hot and melty.
- Cool and Serve: Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Let the Savory Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before serving. They are best served warm.
Enjoy these easy and delicious Savory Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents! They are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a savory appetizer.