These Homemade Sausage Rolls are the ultimate crowd pleasing appetizer. The golden, flaky bites filled with savory Italian sausage were a favorite among my personal chef clients. Made with frozen puff pastry and just a few simple ingredients, they're quick to prep, easy to bake, and disappear fast at any party.
A quick look at this recipe
- Recipe name: Homemade Sausage Rolls
- Ready In: 1 hour
- Serves: 16
- Calories: 291 per serving
- Main Ingredients: Italian sausage (spicy or mild), puff pastry, Parmesan cheese, seasoned breadcrumbs
- Difficulty: Easy
- Why You'll Love It: Easy to make, short ingredient list, can be frozen, party favorite.
I needed to make a snack for a friend's birthday celebration last week. After having a busy day, I wanted a recipe that was simple to make and delicious.
I grabbed one of my easy and tried and true appetizer recipes. My Italian sausage roll recipe was just the one to make. These sausage rolls let you spend less time in the kitchen and more time celebrating.
As soon as I put the puff pastry rolls on the counter at the party, they disappeared in minutes! They were such a hit that everyone wanted the easy sausage roll recipe.
I developed this snack recipe for my personal chef clients. They're one of my appetizer recipes that reheats beautifully like my Crispy Baked Taquitos, Mini Mac and Cheese Cups and Sausage and Cheddar Meatballs. They freeze well too!
These flaky Italian sausage rolls are like a grown-up take on the pizza rolls you'll find in the freezer aisle. Just way more delicious and made with real, fresh ingredients.
Jump to:
- A quick look at this recipe
- Why this is the BEST sausage roll recipe
- Ingredients & substitutions for sausage rolls
- Hint
- How to make puff pastry sausage rolls
- Variations
- Can you make sausage rolls ahead of time?
- Expert tip for crispy sausage rolls
- Frequently asked questions about sausage rolls
- More appetizer recipes
- One more thing
- Recipe
Why this is the BEST sausage roll recipe
- Short ingredient list ~ You can keep all the ingredients on hand to make these rolls at any time.
- Easy to make ~ This is one of the easiest sausage roll recipes. With just a few steps, you'll be a pro at making them every time!
- Favorite party food ~ These party sausage rolls are a close cousin to another appetizer favorite - pigs in a blanket. Your guests won't be able to resist them.
- Prep in advance ~ Keep a batch of puff pastry sausage rolls in the freezer for easy snacking.
Ingredients & substitutions for sausage rolls
There's just a few ingredients in this tasty snack recipe. Scroll to the recipe card for the full quantities of each ingredient.
- Italian sausage ~ I use spicy Italian sausage, but mild is an option.
- Seasoned breadcrumbs
- Puff pastry ~ Pick up frozen puff pastry in the freezer section of the grocery store.
- Parmesan cheese ~ Try Romano or Grana Padano cheese as replacements.
- Egg
- Italian seasoning blend ~ Pick up this blend of dried oregano, basil, thyme, marjoram, rosemary and parsley in the baking/spice aisle of the grocery store.
- Marinara sauce ~ Make a batch of my easy marinara sauce or use your favorite store bought brand.
Hint
I use bulk sausage in this recipe. If using Italian sausage that's in casing, remove it before adding the sausage to the recipe.
How to make puff pastry sausage rolls
Making homemade sausage rolls takes just a few easy steps. This is a brief overview of the recipe. Scroll to the recipe card for the complete instructions.
1: Combine the Italian sausage and breadcrumbs in a medium sized bowl. Set aside.
2: Cut each sheet of puff pastry in half.
3: Work with ½ of a pastry sheet at a time. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese across the center of the pastry.
4: Form ¼ of the sausage mixture into a thin log. Place it on top of the cheese on the pastry. Brush the top edge of the pastry with the egg wash.
5: Tightly roll up the sausage and pastry. Freeze the rolls for 15 minutes on the prepared baking sheet.
6: Cut each roll into 8 pieces. Transfer to the baking sheet. Brush the rolls with the egg wash and sprinkle with the dried herbs.
7: Bake the sausage rolls in a preheated 400 degree F oven for 25-30 minutes.
8: Remove the rolls from the oven. Serve with the marinara dipping sauce.
Variations
Try one or more of the variations below.
- Spicy or mild - Use spicy or mild Italian sausage.
- Cheesy ~ Change up the cheese. Try grated Romano, Grana Pando, feta, manchego or Asiago.
- Dipping sauce - Swap out the marinara sauce for alfredo sauce, ranch dressing, homemade dill dip, Greek tzatziki sauce, spicy mayo, pesto, honey mustard, blue cheese dressing or salsa.
Check out this crispy breadstick recipe using puff pastry!
Can you make sausage rolls ahead of time?
Who doesn't love having appetizers at the ready? I know I do! This is one of my favorite appetizer recipes to prep in advance. They're ideal to freeze either assembled and unbaked or baked ahead of time.
Assemble and freeze unbaked
- Follow the recipe directions to fill, roll and cut into individual rolls.
- Brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with the herbs.
- Transfer the rolls to a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Place in the freezer until frozen.
- Transfer the frozen rolls to an airtight container or resealable freezer bag. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- When ready to serve, bake the rolls from frozen according to the recipe. Add a few minutes to the baking time to adjust for the frozen rolls.
Assemble, bake then freeze
- Prepare the recipe and completely cool the baked sausage rolls.
- Transfer the rolls to a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze until solid.
- Put the rolls in an airtight container or resealable freezer bag. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- When ready to serve, place the rolls on a lined baking sheet. Heat in a 300 degree F oven for 10-15 minutes or until hot.
Expert tip for crispy sausage rolls
- Freeze the rolls ~ Before slicing the rolls into individual pieces, place them in the freeze for about 15 minutes. The puff pastry will be easy to slice when it's cold. The chilled dough also produces the flakiest and crispiest layers of pastry.
- Bake on a cold sheet pan ~ The cold pan will help the bottoms of the sausage rolls stay extra crispy.
Frequently asked questions about sausage rolls
There's no need to cook the sausage before making the sausage rolls. It'll cook as the rolls bake. To ensure the sausage is cooked, check the internal temperature with an instant read digital thermometer. The sausage is cooked when it reaches 160 degrees F.
Choose a good quality Italian sausage for puff pastry sausage rolls. Bulk sausage is the easiest to use as there isn't a casing to remove. Both mild and spicy sausage are tasty options.
More appetizer recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these ones.
One more thing
Did you try this recipe?
Let me know by leaving a comment and a star rating below. Share it on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook.
Thanks ~ Amy
Recipe
Homemade Sausage Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 pound bulk Italian sausage spicy or mild
- ½ cup seasoned breadcrumbs
- 1 17.3 ounce package puff pastry, 2 sheets, thawed
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon Italian herb blend
- Marinara sauce for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a medium sized bowl, combine the Italian sausage and breadcrumbs. Set aside.
- On a cutting board, place the 2 sheets of puff pastry. Cut each sheet in half lengthwise.
- Work with one half sheet at a time. Spread about 1 tablespoon of the Parmesan cheese horizontally across the middle of the pastry.
- Next, form ¼ of the Italian sausage mixture in a long thin log. Place it on top of the cheese.
- Brush the top edge of the pastry with the egg wash.
- Tightly roll up the pastry and sausage finishing with the seam side down.
- Assemble the remaining 3 rolls.
- Place the rolls on the prepared baking sheet and freeze for 15 minutes. This step will make them easier to slice.
- Slice each roll into 8 pieces.
- Place the rolls on the baking sheet. Brush them with the egg wash and sprinkle with the Italian herb blend.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until crispy and golden brown.
- Remove the sausage rolls to a serving plate and pass the marinara sauce for dipping.
Video
Notes
- Follow the recipe directions to fill, roll and cut into individual rolls.
- Brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with the herbs.
- Transfer the rolls to a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Place in the freeze until frozen.
- Transfer the frozen rolls to an airtight container or resealable freezer bag. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- When ready to serve, bake the rolls from frozen according to the recipe. Add a few minutes to the baking time to adjust for the frozen rolls.
- Prepare the recipe and completely cool the baked sausage rolls.
- Transfer the rolls to a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze until solid.
- Put the frozen rolls in an airtight container or resealable freezer bag. Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
- When ready to serve, place the rolls on a lined baking sheet. Heat in a 300 degree oven for 10-15 minutes or until hot.
Amy Casey says
I love that you can make this recipe in advance and just reheat and serve. My book club loved these sausage rolls when I served them last week. I hope you love them as much as I do.