Sausage Rolls
When I married my husband, he proclaimed that we were a “Jimmy Dean” family. I had no idea what that meant, but what it has come to mean is that Jimmy Dean is the only brand of sausage we have in the house. So that means that it’s the only sausage we use in these rolls. Don’t tell my husband, but you can use whatever brand of ground sausage you like. You’ll fall in love with these rolls no matter the brand!
Servings Prep Time
8people 10minutes
Cook Time
12-15minutes
Servings Prep Time
8people 10minutes
Cook Time
12-15minutes
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Make sure that both the crescent rolls and sausage are defrosted so that they are easy to work with. Place 2 pieces of plastic wrap (approximately 18 inches each) on your countertop.
  2. Carefully roll out the dough from each crescent roll package onto each piece of plastic wrap. Don’t use a rolling pin to make it any thinner as it will tear the dough. Using your fingers, pinch together the perforated edges of the dough to create one seamless sheet.
  3. Divide the sausage into 2 equal halves. Using your hands (it really is the best tool for this step), carefully spread the sausage onto the crescent dough, taking care not to tear the dough as you distribute it across the dough.
  4. Roll the dough from the long edge into a pinwheel log. Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze until needed.
  5. When you’re ready to bake them, pull the roll out of the freezer and allow it to defrost for about 10 minutes so that it’s easier to cut, but not defrosted completely.
  6. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Slice the rolls into 1 – 1 1/2 inch slices.
  7. Place slices on baking sheet that has been coated with cooking spray.
  8. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until slices begin to brown.
  9. Serve immediately, and stand back as the stampede occurs to get ’em while they’re hot!
Recipe Notes

We’ve all seen variations on this simple pinwheel recipe.  Why?  Because it’s so darned versatile that you can pretty much put whatever other ingredients in here you like.  Other variations I like include:

1. Add shredded cheese to the sausage before freezing.  You’ll have gooey goodness in addition to the sausage when you serve them!
2. Pizza sauce and pepperoni make for a great mini-pizza option.
3. Use spicy sausage and pickled peppers to give the rolls some kick.
4. Pesto, shredded mozzerella and sundried tomatoes result in a yummy Italian option.

A note here though:  I don’t generally use fresh produce in these (like spinach, fresh tomatoes, etc.).  They don’t freeze as well when wrapped in the dough, and wind up watering down the whole thing.  Not appetizing.  But you could easily make a simple version of these and then top the hot-out-of-the-oven rolls with other fresh ingredients.  Instant appetizer!

What other ways have you used this simple rolled dough recipe?