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Spicy Italian Crescent Ring

Spicy Italian Crescent Ring
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The Spicy Italian Crescent Ring is a crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring buttery crescent dough filled with spicy Italian sausage and melty cheese, baked into a stunning ring shape perfect for parties, game days, or quick snacks. It offers a bold, balanced heat with savory spices and cheesy goodness, all presented in a visually impressive, easy-to-make form.

Ingredients

Base

  • Crescent dough (1 can or approx. 8 oz)

Filling

  • Italian spicy sausage (12 oz, casing removed)
  • Garlic (2 cloves, minced)
  • Italian seasoning (1 tsp)
  • Red pepper flakes (1/2 tsp, adjust to taste)
  • Mozzarella cheese (1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded)

Topping

  • Parmesan cheese (1/4 cup grated)
  • Olive oil or melted butter (2 tbsp for brushing)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the sausage filling: Remove the casing from the Italian sausage and cook it in a skillet over medium heat until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat, then add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes to infuse flavor.
  2. Unroll and arrange the crescent dough: On a parchment-lined baking sheet, unroll the crescent dough and separate it into triangles. Arrange the triangles in a circle with the pointed ends facing outward and the wide bases overlapping in the center, creating a ring shape with a “star burst” pattern.
  3. Add the filling and cheese: Spread the cooked sausage evenly over the wide bases of the dough triangles. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the sausage to ensure cheesy pockets in every slice.
  4. Form the ring: Fold the pointed tips of the triangles over the filling and tuck them under the wide base in the center, sealing the filling inside and creating a continuous ring. Brush the ring with olive oil or melted butter for a golden crust, and sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top.
  5. Bake to perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 20-25 minutes or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

  • Don’t overfill: Keep the sausage and cheese layers balanced to avoid leaks during baking.
  • Use room temperature dough: It’s easier to work with and forms a better seal to hold filling.
  • Brush generously: Olive oil or butter on the dough’s surface enhances browning and adds flavor.
  • Let it rest before slicing: Cooling for 5 minutes helps the cheese set and makes cleaner slices.
  • Choose quality sausage: The flavor of your Italian sausage impacts the whole dish, so pick a good one!

Nutrition

Keywords: spicy italian sausage, crescent dough appetizer, Italian ring, party snack, game day appetizer, cheesy ring, easy appetizer, spicy crescent ring

Find it online: https://cherrycooks.com/spicy-italian-crescent-ring/