Sausage Cheddar Crescent Rolls

These golden flaky crescent rolls stuffed with creamy sausage and melted cheese have become my go to recipe for weekend mornings and holiday brunches. The combination of savory breakfast sausage rich cream cheese and sharp cheddar wrapped in buttery pastry creates a handheld breakfast that satisfies even the heartiest appetites.

I discovered this recipe during a particularly hectic Christmas morning when I needed something special but manageable. Now my family requests these every holiday and I have learned they freeze beautifully for busy weekday mornings when we want something more exciting than cereal.

Ingredients

• One pound breakfast sausage: Choose a quality brand with good fat content for the best flavor and texture
• One cup shredded cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar provides the perfect tangy contrast to the rich sausage
• Eight ounces cream cheese softened: Make sure it is truly soft for easy mixing and smooth texture
• Two cans refrigerated crescent roll dough: The flaky layers create the perfect wrapper for this hearty filling
• One tablespoon butter melted: Brushing the tops creates that beautiful golden finish
• Half teaspoon garlic powder: Adds subtle depth without overwhelming the sausage flavor
• One tablespoon chopped fresh parsley optional: Adds a lovely fresh color contrast

Instructions

Prepare Your Kitchen:

Preheat your oven to three seventy five degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This temperature ensures the pastry cooks through while achieving that perfect golden color and parchment prevents sticking while making cleanup effortless.

Cook The Sausage Base:

In a large skillet over medium heat cook the breakfast sausage for eight to ten minutes breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it browns. You want every piece evenly cooked and beautifully browned as this creates the flavor foundation for your entire filling.

Create The Creamy Mixture:

Drain any excess grease from the pan then add the softened cream cheese directly to the hot sausage. Stir continuously for two to three minutes until the cream cheese melts completely and creates a smooth creamy base that coats every bit of sausage.

Add The Cheddar:

Remove the skillet from heat and immediately stir in the shredded cheddar cheese. The residual heat will melt the cheese perfectly creating a rich cohesive filling that holds together beautifully when wrapped in pastry.

Prepare The Pastry:

Unroll both cans of crescent dough and carefully separate into individual triangles. Work gently to avoid tearing the delicate pastry and arrange them on your work surface with the wide ends facing you for easy filling.

Fill And Roll:

Place about two tablespoons of the sausage mixture onto the wide end of each triangle leaving a small border around the edges. Starting from the wide end roll each triangle tightly but gently ensuring the seam is on the bottom to prevent unrolling during baking.

Final Touches:

Arrange the rolled crescents on your prepared baking sheet spacing them about two inches apart. Brush each top with melted butter and sprinkle lightly with garlic powder for that extra layer of flavor and beautiful golden finish.

Bake To Perfection:

Bake for ten to twelve minutes until the crescents are deeply golden brown and sound hollow when gently tapped. Let them cool for five minutes before serving as the filling will be extremely hot and needs time to set slightly.

I am always amazed how the cream cheese gives the filling such irresistible richness. Every time I pull a tray fresh from the oven my family hovers in the kitchen unable to resist the incredible aroma and we cannot help but sneak a taste before brunch officially begins.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

These crescent rolls are best enjoyed warm from the oven but they reheat beautifully in a three fifty degree oven for five to seven minutes. For busy mornings prepare the sausage filling up to two days ahead and refrigerate in a covered container. You can even assemble the entire rolls the night before cover with plastic wrap and bake fresh in the morning adding two to three extra minutes to the baking time.

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

Feel free to experiment with different cheese combinations. Monterey Jack creates a milder flavor while pepper jack adds a nice kick. For a lighter version substitute turkey breakfast sausage and use reduced fat cream cheese. Some families love adding finely diced bell peppers or green onions to the filling for extra texture and flavor. If you are feeding someone who does not eat pork chicken breakfast sausage works wonderfully too.

Serving Suggestions

These crescent rolls shine as part of a larger brunch spread alongside fresh fruit scrambled eggs and crispy hash browns. They are substantial enough to serve as a complete breakfast with just a side of fresh berries or a simple green salad. For holiday mornings I love arranging them on a platter with small bowls of hot sauce and maple syrup for dipping letting everyone customize their experience.

The Perfect Brunch Addition

What makes these rolls truly special is their versatility and crowd pleasing nature. Whether you are hosting a holiday brunch need something portable for a breakfast potluck or want to elevate a regular weekend morning these deliver restaurant quality results with minimal effort. The combination of flaky pastry and creamy savory filling creates a satisfying bite that feels both indulgent and comforting.

Success Stories

One holiday my nieces made their own custom fillings using turkey sausage and extra cheddar. Now customizing the filling has become a family competition and everyone gets excited to try new add ins. This recipe is the ultimate blank canvas for your favorite breakfast flavors.

Freezer Meal Conversion

After assembling the unbaked rolls freeze them on a baking sheet until solid then transfer to a zip top bag. Bake straight from the freezer at three seventy five degrees adding four to five extra minutes to the baking time. I always keep a batch stashed away for surprise guests or hectic mornings.

Serve these warm and cheesy crescent rolls any time you want to delight a crowd or make breakfast feel extra special. With just a bit of prep you get a comforting homemade treat everyone will request again and again.

Your Recipe Questions Answered

→ Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare the sausage filling the night before and refrigerate. Assemble and bake the rolls the next morning for best results.

→ Which cheese melts best for crescent rolls?

Cheddar cheese gives bold flavor and excellent melt, but mozzarella or pepper jack are great alternatives for variety.

→ Can I add vegetables to the filling?

Absolutely! Include diced bell peppers, onions, or spinach in the mix for extra flavor and texture.

→ How do I keep the pastry from turning soggy?

Drain excess grease from the cooked sausage before mixing. This helps the pastry stay crisp during baking.

→ What's the best way to reheat leftovers?

Place in a 350°F oven for 5–7 minutes to restore crispness. Avoid microwaving, which can soften the pastry.