Sausage and Cream Cheese Crescents

These Sausage and Cream Cheese Crescents are savory, flaky pastries filled with seasoned sausage and rich, creamy cheese. They’re easy to make, wonderfully comforting, and perfect as a snack, breakfast, or party appetizer.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I love how these crescents combine buttery, golden dough with a flavorful sausage filling and velvety cream cheese. They’re addictive, portable, and a breeze to prepare—ideal when I want something satisfying with minimal effort.

Ingredients

(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

• Refrigerated crescent roll dough (one or two cans, depending on yield)

• Ground breakfast sausage (mild or spicy, according to preference)

• Cream cheese, softened

• Onion, finely chopped (optional)

• Garlic powder or minced garlic

• Chopped fresh parsley (optional)

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Egg wash: egg beaten with a little water or milk

Directions

1. Cook the sausage. In a skillet over medium heat, cook ground sausage (and onion if using) until browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat and let the sausage cool slightly.

2. Combine filling. In a bowl, mix the cooked sausage, softened cream cheese, garlic powder, parsley, salt, and pepper until evenly combined.

3. Preheat oven. Heat oven to 375 °F (190 °C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

4. Prepare crescents. Unroll crescent dough onto a lightly floured surface, keeping perforations intact. Press seams gently to seal if needed.

5. Fill crescents. Spoon a portion of the sausage‑cream cheese mixture onto the wide end of each dough triangle.

6. Shape crescents. Roll each triangle up from the wide end, wrapping the filling inside, and place seam‑side down on the prepared sheet.

7. Brush with egg wash. Lightly brush each crescent with the beaten egg mixture for a golden finish.

8. Bake. Bake 12–15 minutes, or until crescents are puffed and golden brown.

9. Serve. Let cool for a few minutes before serving warm.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: Makes about 8 crescents (adjust with more dough)

• Prep time: 10 minutes

• Cook time: 15 minutes (plus sausage browning time)

• Total time: Approximately 30 minutes

Variations

• Spicy twist: Use chorizo or hot sausage and add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

• Cheese upgrade: Mix in shredded cheddar, pepper jack, or mozzarella.

• Herb-flavored: Add chopped chives, thyme, or rosemary to the filling.

• Veggie option: Stir in finely diced bell pepper or spinach into the filling mixture.

Storage/Reheating

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I pop them in a preheated 350 °F oven for 5–7 minutes until warm and crisp again, or microwave briefly (though I prefer the oven to keep them flaky).

FAQs

1. Can I use pre-cooked sausage like breakfast links?

Yes! I chop or crumble pre-cooked sausage before mixing with cream cheese—I skip the browning step.

2. Can I make them ahead and bake later?

Definitely. I assemble crescents on the baking sheet, cover loosely, and refrigerate. I bake them fresh just before serving for best flakiness.

3. Are they freezer-friendly?

Yes—I freeze unbaked assembled crescents on a baking sheet. Once frozen, I transfer them to a bag. I bake from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the baking time.

4. Can I use homemade dough?

Absolutely. I use my favorite crescent or flaky pastry dough in place of store-bought for a homemade twist.

5. Are they kid-friendly?

Yes! Kids love the mild, cheesy sausage filling and fun crescent shape—it’s great for lunchboxes or snack time.

Conclusion

Sausage and Cream Cheese Crescents are one of my favorite quick and hearty treats. They’re simple to prep, irresistibly flaky, and perfect for breakfast or entertaining. I hope they become a crowd-pleaser in your kitchen too!