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Sausage Pinwheels

These quick and flavorful pinwheels are a crowd-pleasing appetizer with layers of sausage, cream cheese, and cheddar wrapped in flaky crescent dough. Perfect for parties or potlucks, they’re as easy to make as they are delicious.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Servings: 32

Ingredients

  • 1 pound bulk pork sausage
  • 2 8-ounce packages refrigerated crescent rolls
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the sausage until browned and crumbly, about 10 minutes. Drain the excess grease and set the sausage aside to cool.
  • Lay out a sheet of wax paper and lightly spray it with cooking spray. Unroll one package of crescent rolls onto the wax paper, pinching the perforations together to form a seamless sheet of dough.
  • Spread half of the softened cream cheese evenly over the dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edges.
  • Sprinkle half of the cooked sausage and half of the shredded cheddar cheese over the cream cheese layer.
  • Using the wax paper for assistance, roll the dough lengthwise into a tight log, encasing the filling. Wrap the log tightly in plastic wrap.
  • Repeat the process with the second package of crescent rolls and the remaining ingredients to create a second log.
  • Refrigerate the wrapped logs for at least 1 hour, or until firm enough to slice.
  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Remove the logs from the refrigerator, unwrap them, and use a sharp knife to slice each log into 1/2-inch-thick pinwheels.
  • Arrange the pinwheels on a baking sheet, leaving at least 1 inch of space between each.
  • Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown.
  • Remove from the oven and allow the pinwheels to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Prep Ahead: Chill the logs for at least 1 hour before slicing for neater pinwheels.
Variations: Substitute pork sausage with turkey or chicken sausage for a lighter version.
Leftovers: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat in the oven for crispness.