Savory Sausage and Cheese Crescent Ring: The Ultimate Holiday Appetizer
Inspired by the beautiful, golden-brown wreath in the image, this recipe features a savory filling of seasoned ground meat and melted cheese, all wrapped in flaky crescent roll dough. This easy-to-make, show-stopping appetizer or light dinner is perfect for holiday parties, game days, or any festive gathering where you need a quick, impressive dish.
Ingredients
For the Savory Filling:
- 1 lb (approx. 450g) Ground Sausage (Breakfast or Italian style) OR Ground Beef: Cooked and drained.
- Benefit Highlight (Ground Meat): An excellent source of Protein, vital for muscle repair and energy. Also rich in Iron and Zinc, supporting red blood cell production and immune health.
- 1/2 Small Yellow Onion: Finely chopped.
- 2 Cloves Garlic: Minced.
- 1 (8-ounce) Package Cream Cheese: Softened.
- 1/4 Cup Milk or Cream: To make the filling spreadable.
- 1 Tsp Dried Italian Seasoning:
- 1/4 Tsp Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): For a little heat.
- Salt and Black Pepper: To taste.
For the Crust and Topping:
- 2 Cans Refrigerated Crescent Roll Dough (e.g., Pillsbury): You will use two packages to create the wreath shape.
- Benefit Highlight (Crescent Dough): Primarily provides carbohydrates for energy. It offers an incredibly quick way to achieve a delicious, flaky, and appealing crust texture.
- 1 Cup Shredded Cheese Blend: Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mozzarella (the image suggests a blend that melts well).
- 1 Large Egg: Beaten with 1 tbsp water for an egg wash.
- 1 Tbsp Fresh Parsley: Chopped, for garnish (as seen in the photo).
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Savory Filling
- Cook Meat: In a large skillet, cook the ground sausage (or beef) over medium heat. Crumble the meat as it cooks until no pink remains. Drain off any excess grease and set the meat aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the same skillet (or use a fresh one with a little oil) and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Combine: Return the cooked meat to the skillet. Add the softened cream cheese, milk, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir well until the cream cheese is fully melted and all the ingredients are combined into a creamy filling.
- Season: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
2. Assemble the Crescent Ring
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to $190^\circ\text{C}$ ($375^\circ\text{F}$).
- Arrange Dough: Unroll both cans of crescent dough. Separate the triangles. On a large, parchment-lined baking sheet, arrange the triangles in a circle (like spokes on a wheel), with the short ends overlapping slightly in the center and the points facing outwards. You should have a circular opening in the middle.
- Spread Filling: Spoon the savory meat and cheese mixture onto the wide end of each crescent roll triangle, near the center ring of the dough. Keep the filling within the inner half of the dough.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle about half of the shredded cheese blend directly over the meat filling.
3. Shape and Bake the Wreath
- Fold: Take the outer point of each crescent triangle and fold it up and over the filling, tucking the point under the center of the ring (near the overlapping dough). The meat filling should peek out through the spaces, creating the classic “wreath” or “star” look seen in the photograph.
- Egg Wash: Gently brush the entire surface of the exposed dough with the beaten egg wash. This gives the pastry its beautiful, deep golden shine.
- Final Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining half of the shredded cheese blend over the top of the ring, specifically letting some fall into the openings over the meat.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up, golden brown, and the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Garnish and Serve: Let the ring cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before transferring to a serving platter. Cut into slices (pulling apart the pre-cut crescent sections works well) and serve warm.