Name: Sausage Cheese Pinwheels
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground sausage.; 2 packages (8 ounces each) refrigerated crescent rolls.; 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened.; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.; Cooking spray.

A close-up image of golden-brown pastry rolls filled with seasoned meat, arranged neatly in a baking dish. | lifesugar.co

Let me share my absolute favorite party appetizer with you these sausage pinwheels have been my secret weapon at gatherings for years. Every time I bring them people go crazy for that buttery flaky crust and the cheesy sausage filling. They're little bites of heaven and trust me you'll want to make a double batch because they disappear in minutes.

Why These Are Always on My Party Menu

There's something magical about these pinwheels that makes everyone's eyes light up when they spot them on the appetizer table. The way the crescent rolls get perfectly golden and flaky the swirls of savory filling peeking through it's like they were made for entertaining. Plus they're so easy to make I can whip them up even when I'm juggling a million other party prep tasks.

Grab These Ingredients

Sausage: I usually go for regular pork sausage but spicy Italian gives an amazing kick. If you're watching calories turkey sausage works beautifully too.
Crescent Rolls: Keep these in the fridge until the last minute trust me it makes them so much easier to work with.
Cream Cheese: Pull this out early to soften it's crucial for smooth spreading.
Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar is my go to it adds such amazing flavor but really any cheese you love will work.

Let's Make Some Magic

Start with the Sausage: First things first get that sausage cooking in a skillet. I like breaking it up into tiny pieces as it browns they distribute better in the pinwheels. Don't forget to drain off the extra grease.
Prep Your Canvas: Here's where those chilled crescent rolls come in. Unroll them carefully and pinch those perforations together we want one nice solid sheet.
Layer the Love: Now for my favorite part spread that softened cream cheese all over leaving just a little border. Sprinkle your sausage and cheese evenly it's like making a savory cinnamon roll.
Roll and Chill: Roll it up nice and tight then wrap it in plastic. Pop it in the fridge for at least an hour this makes slicing so much easier.
Bake to Perfection: When you're ready slice into rounds and bake at 375°F until they're golden brown and irresistible about 10-15 minutes.

A close-up image of golden-brown meat rolls sliced to reveal a savory filling, garnished with parsley, displayed on a white plate. | lifesugar.co

My Top Tips for Success

After making these countless times I've learned a few tricks. Keep that dough cold until the last possible moment. I love using my offset spatula for spreading the cream cheese it's a game changer. And please oh please drain that sausage well nobody wants soggy pinwheels.

Make Them Your Own

Sometimes I get creative and add diced jalapeños for a spicy kick. Bell peppers add such nice color and crunch. And when I'm feeling fancy I'll swap in some herb and garlic cream cheese. The possibilities are endless that's what I love about this recipe.

Keeping and Reheating

If you somehow end up with leftovers (which rarely happens at my house) they'll keep nicely in the fridge for a few days. Just pop them in the oven at 350°F for a quick warmup. I often make extra logs and freeze them unbaked they're perfect for last minute guests.

Serving Ideas

I love setting out little bowls of dipping sauces marinara ranch and honey mustard are our favorites. These beauties fit right in on any appetizer spread from game day to holiday parties. Something about those spiral swirls just makes everything look more festive.

A close-up image of flaky pastry rolls filled with seasoned ground meat on a plate. | lifesugar.co

Little Tricks Big Difference

Here's my secret for picture perfect pinwheels. After rolling and chilling give them a quick brush with beaten egg before baking. They come out with this gorgeous golden shine that makes everyone think they came from a fancy bakery.

Everyone Can Enjoy These

I love adapting these for different dietary needs. My gluten free friends swear by using GF puff pastry. For my dairy free guests I've found some amazing plant based cream cheese alternatives. And vegetarian versions with meat alternatives have become crowd favorites too.

Party Perfect Presentation

Want to make your pinwheels look extra special? I arrange them in a spiral on my favorite serving platter and tuck fresh herb sprigs between them. A sprinkle of chopped parsley adds that perfect finishing touch of color.

The Healthier Side

While these aren't exactly health food they can be lightened up. Turkey sausage reduces the calories significantly and low fat cream cheese works surprisingly well. It's all about balance right?

Holiday Magic

I love giving these a seasonal twist. During the holidays I'll add some dried cranberries and fresh herbs to the filling. For summer parties Mediterranean flavors with sun dried tomatoes and basil are absolutely amazing.

A close-up view of golden-brown pastry rolls filled with savory meat and garnished with green herbs on a black plate. | lifesugar.co

Next Day Delights

Sometimes I deliberately make extra just for leftovers. They're amazing crumbled over morning eggs or tucked into sandwiches. My kids love finding them in their lunch boxes too talk about a happy surprise.

What Everyone's Saying

The best compliment? When friends text me begging for the recipe after a party. My favorite feedback came from my neighbor who said these changed her mind about cream cheese. And I love hearing all the creative variations people come up with keeps me inspired to try new things.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make these pinwheels ahead of time?: You can prepare the rolls up to 24 hours ahead and keep them wrapped in the fridge. Just slice and bake when ready to serve.
→ Why do you need to chill the rolls before slicing?: Chilling firms up the dough and filling, making it easier to get clean slices. Without chilling, the rolls might smush or lose their shape when cutting.
→ Can I freeze these pinwheels?: You can freeze the unbaked rolls whole, then thaw overnight before slicing and baking. They'll keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.
→ What type of sausage works best?: Breakfast sausage or Italian sausage both work great. Make sure to drain well after cooking to prevent greasy pinwheels.
→ Why do my pinwheels unroll while baking?: Make sure to roll them tightly and chill well before slicing. Also, leave the border around edges so the filling doesn't ooze out and prevent sealing.

Conclusion

These sausage pinwheels combine crescent rolls with seasoned sausage and two kinds of cheese for a tasty appetizer. Perfect for parties and easy to make ahead.

Sausage Cheese Pinwheels