Cheesy Sausage Rotel Cups
This recipe for Cheesy Sausage Rotel Cups combines the flavors of spicy sausage, Rotel tomatoes, Colby Jack cheese, and Velveeta in crispy mini phyllo shells. Make individual-serving appetizers with lots of texture and spicy flavor!
Ingredients
- 3 packs frozen mini phyllo shells
- 16 oz hot breakfast sausage
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup Colby jack cheese shredded
- 8 oz Velveeta cheese
- 10 ounces Rotel tomatoes & green chilies drained
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cook, crumble, and drain sausage.
- Cut cream cheese and Velveeta into small chunks. In a microwave-safe medium bowl, add cubed cream cheese, shredded Colby jack cheese, cubed Velveeta, and Rotel tomatoes and microwave for 2 minutes. Stir well, then stir in cooked sausage.
- (If cheese mixture is not completely melted at this point, microwave for another minute.)
- Scoop cheese and sausage mixture into phyllo shells. Place shells on a nonstick baking sheet.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 13-15 minutes.
Notes
- Drain Rotel thoroughly: This is the most important step to prevent soggy phyllo shells. Press out as much liquid as possible using a fine mesh strainer or paper towels.
- Use a thick filling: The mixture should be creamy and scoopable, not runny. A thick filling helps the cups hold shape and bake evenly.
- Fill just before baking: Phyllo shells soften quickly once filled, so assemble and bake immediately for maximum crispiness.
- Do not overfill shells: Slightly rounded tops are ideal. Overfilling can cause spillover and reduce crisp texture.
- Bake frozen shells: No need to thaw phyllo cups before filling or baking - they go straight from freezer to oven.
- Best served warm: These are at their best right out of the oven when the cheese is melty and the shells are crisp.
- Make-ahead option: Prepare the filling up to 3 days in advance and refrigerate. Assemble and bake fresh when ready to serve.
- Customize easily: Swap sausage types (bacon, chorizo, Italian, or andouille) or cheeses (pepper jack, cheddar, Swiss) to change flavor profile without altering method.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 404kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 23gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 57mgSodium: 980mgPotassium: 324mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 433IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 313mgIron: 1mg
