Description
Discover the bold and delicious flavors of the Spicy Italian Crescent Ring, a cheesy, zesty, and easy-to-make appetizer featuring spicy Italian sausage, melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, fresh herbs, and a buttery crescent roll dough. Perfect for sharing at parties, game days, or casual dinners, this fun pull-apart ring delivers an irresistible Italian-inspired taste with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Cheese
- 1 pound spicy Italian sausage
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Herbs and Spices
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
Dough and Finishing
- 1 package crescent roll dough (8 oz)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter (for brushing)
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: Cook the spicy Italian sausage in a skillet over medium heat until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up into small pieces. Drain any excess fat, then stir in minced garlic, chopped basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes to infuse vibrant flavors.
- Assemble the Crescent Dough: Unroll the crescent roll dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet in a large circle, pressing seams together to create a single sheet. This will form the base of your ring.
- Add Cheese and Sausage: Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the dough, then spread the cooked sausage mixture on top, leaving about one inch of border around the edges.
- Form the Ring: Starting from the edge, roll the dough carefully into a tight spiral shape, then join the ends together to form a circle, pinching the seams to seal.
- Brush and Bake: Brush the entire ring with olive oil or melted butter for a beautiful golden color, then bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 20-25 minutes, until the dough is puffy and golden and the cheese inside is bubbling.
- Cool and Serve: Let the Spicy Italian Crescent Ring cool for a few minutes before slicing or pulling it apart. This helps the cheese set slightly to prevent oozing and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Use room temperature dough to make shaping easier and ensure even baking.
- Don’t overfill the ring to prevent bursting or leaking during baking.
- Fresh basil and oregano provide the best authentic flavor.
- Brush generously with olive oil or butter for a glossy, golden crust.
- Let the ring rest briefly before serving to allow cheese to firm up for cleaner pulls.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8th of ring)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Spicy Italian Crescent Ring, Italian appetizer, pull-apart snack, crescent roll recipe, sausage cheese ring