Why You’ll Love These Stuffed Bundles

These bundles are incredibly versatile! You can prepare them using refrigerated dough, pizza dough, or even thawed phyllo dough. The filling options are endless, allowing you to customize them to suit your taste or dietary preferences. You can go all out with meat and cheese or create a vegetarian version filled with tasty veggies! Don’t forget, deli meats like roast beef or ham also work beautifully for a shortcut.

Let’s dive into the easy steps to create these mouthwatering bundles!

Ingredients

• 1 pound package of loose Italian sausage, cooked and drained (or any preferred cooked meat like seasoned ground beef, seasoned ground pork, or chopped deli meats)
• 2-3 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 2 cans of refrigerated crescent rolls, or 1 pound of pizza dough (phyllo dough works well too; just cut it into squares)
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (dried herbs)
• 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
• 1 cup shredded cheese (like cheddar, provolone, and Monterey Jack; feel free to mix and match)
• Grated Parmesan cheese for sprinkling on top
• Oil spray or olive oil for greasing
• Optional: additional grated Parmesan for serving, and warmed marinara or pizza sauce for dipping

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking oil spray.
2. In a large frying pan, cook the loose sausage over medium heat until it’s browned and no longer pink. Drain any excess fat and transfer the sausage to a mixing bowl.
3. Using a hand mixer, whip the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth and creamy.
4. Mix in a portion of the cooked sausage, add the shredded cheese, the Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Stir until evenly combined.
5. Unroll the crescent rolls and cut each triangle in half lengthwise to create two thinner triangles.
6. For each piece of dough, add about a tablespoon of the sausage mixture at the wider end, then roll it up tightly from the wider side to the tip, shaping it into a ball.
7. Place each rolled bundle onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between them.
8. Lightly spray the tops of the bundles with cooking spray or brush them with olive oil for a golden finish.
9. Sprinkle extra Italian seasoning and grated cheese over the top of each bundle for added flavor.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until they are golden brown on top.
11. Once baked, serve them warm with marinara or pizza sauce for dipping, and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan if desired.

Creative Additions and Variations

Feeling adventurous? Here are some fantastic options to customize your sausage bundles:

• Cooked prosciutto or crisply chopped bacon for a smoky flavor
• Replace crescent rolls with any brand of refrigerated biscuits, pizza dough, or phyllo dough
• Include hot capicola, salami, or any deli meats you prefer
• Add diced vegetables like tomatoes, mushrooms, eggplant, or zucchini (make sure to blot them dry first)
• Chopped chives or scallions for a fresh touch
• Cooked breakfast sausage (drained) can substitute meat options
• Add a kick with cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños and banana peppers
• Include assorted bell peppers or other hot peppers
• Fresh greens like spinach, broccoli rabe, or escarole for a nutrient boost
• Chopped artichoke hearts or asparagus for added texture
• Use any type of shredded cheese that you prefer
• Incorporate cooked seafood for a unique twist
• Why not try fresh herbs instead of dried ones? They’ll elevate the flavor!