These Sausage Pinwheels are super easy to make using just 5 ingredients! You’ll end up with perfectly crisp golden brown puff pastries wrapped around Italian sausage slices with a delicious pumpkin puree! The parmesan cheese and green onions elevate the flavor to the next level.
The pumpkin flavor is incredible in these pinwheels and makes them one of the best pumpkin pinwheels with sausages out there! Whether you’re hosting a party at home or just want to indulge in a mid-week treat, these pinwheels are perfect!
These sausage pinwheels are absolutely irresistible and you won’t believe how quick and easy they are to make. What’s best is that you can make prep them ahead of time and freeze unbaked pinwheels for up to one month! Trust me, they’re just perfect for the holiday season when guests come over.
Read on to learn exactly how to make this delicious sausage pinwheel recipe today!
Jump to:
- What are Sausage Pinwheels?
- Why This Is The Best Sausage Pinwheel Recipe
- What You Need to Make Sausage Pinwheels
- How to Make Sausage Pinwheels
- Tips For Making the Best Sausage Pinwheels
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Variation Ideas for Sausage Pinwheels
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Store Leftover Sausage Pinwheels
- More Delicious Appetizers
- Recipe
What are Sausage Pinwheels?
Sausage pinwheels are savory appetizers that are perfect for any gathering or just a fun family dinner. And with the addition of pumpkin puree, these pumpkin pinwheels are a fall favorite at our home!
The recipe involves a delicious filling of cooked sausage, cheddar cheese, and green onion all rolled up in a sheet of puff pastry. The pinwheels are then sliced and baked until golden brown, creating a tasty bite-sized treat that's just bursting with flavor.
The delicious combination of flavors along with parmesan cheese make these absolutely irresistible. I love how they can be prepped up to a month ahead and frozen unbaked. Just pop them out when you’re in the mood for some sausage pumpkin pinwheels and bake them till they’re done!
Each bite is just bursting with flavors and I’m sure it’s going to be a hit at any gathering!
Why This Is The Best Sausage Pinwheel Recipe
Prep Ahead: With a total prep time and bake time of just around half an hour, this is a speedy recipe to whip up. Plus, you can even freeze the unbaked pinwheels for up to a month, making it perfect for those who love to prep ahead.
Family favorite: The flavors of Italian sausage, pumpkin puree, and parmesan cheese all rolled into a puff pastry make these pinwheels a hit with all ages. They're a delicious appetizer that's sure to become a requested favorite at family gatherings.
Versatile: These easy appetizers are versatile and you can add your favorite ingredients to them. Want to add a bit of heat? Sprinkle in some red pepper. Craving more vegetables? Add in some thinly extra sliced green onion.
Crowd-pleaser: The golden-brown, flaky crescent roll dough filled with flavorful sausage mixture and cream cheese mixture makes the pinwheels not only delicious but a surefire crowd-pleaser. They’ve been a hit at every party and potluck!
What You Need to Make Sausage Pinwheels
All you need are some incredibly simple, pantry-staple ingredients to make this delicious sausage pinwheels recipe at home.
Here's an overview of the specific ingredients for this recipe. For the exact ingredients and measurements, please scroll to the recipe card below.
Italian Sausages: We will use them with their casings removed. They’re the heart of our sausage pinwheel recipe and add a delicious meaty flavor to each bite.
Puff Pastry: This is what we'll wrap our sausage mixture in. It will bake to a lovely golden brown and add a delicious crunch to our pinwheels.
Canned Pumpkin Puree: It adds a subtle sweetness and moistness to the pinwheels, not to mention a touch of festive flavor. Trust me, they turn into the best pumpkin pinwheels ever!
Parmesan Cheese: We will add shredded parmesan cheese over our sausage mixture before we roll up our pinwheels. This will add a layer of savory, salty goodness that will melt beautifully in the oven.
Green Onion: Thinly sliced green onion adds a burst of fresh, sharp flavor to the sausage pinwheels, balancing out the rich sausage and cheese.
How to Make Sausage Pinwheels
Making this incredible sausage pinwheel recipe at home is super easy and will give you great results every single time. Here's how to make it step by step:
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to a temperature of 375 F. Next, line your baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring it covers the whole surface.
- Prepare the sausages: Prepare your sausages by cutting them lengthwise. Then, proceed to cut each piece into slices of about a quarter-inch thick.
- Cook the sausage: Preheat your large skillet over medium-low heat. Add your sausage slices and stir occasionally. Cook until they turn slightly brown, which should take about three to five minutes. If the sausage starts to stick, you can add a bit of avocado or olive oil for lubrication. Once done, remove the skillet from the heat.
- Prep the puff pastry sheet: Layout your puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. If it's a single piece, cut it in half for easier handling.
- Spread pumpkin puree: Spread your pumpkin puree evenly on each pastry sheet. Use about two and a half tablespoons of puree per sheet. Then, top it off with your cooked sausage slices.
- Add cheese and green onions: Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the sausage slices. Follow this up by adding green onions. Press these ingredients lightly into the dough to ensure they stick.
- Roll the pastry into a log: Roll each pastry sheet starting from a short end to form a log. Pinch seams to seal and flip the log so the seam is at the bottom.
- Cut the log into pinwheels: Cut each log into even slices using a sharp knife, with each log yielding about eight slices.
- Bake the pinwheels: Transfer the slices to your prepared baking sheet and bake for approximately twenty minutes. You'll know they're ready when the pinwheels turn a light golden brown.
- Cool and serve: Remove the pinwheels from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack. Let them cool for about fifteen minutes before serving. Enjoy your homemade sausage pinwheels!
Tips For Making the Best Sausage Pinwheels
Preheat the oven properly: Make sure your oven is preheated to the right temperature before you start baking. This helps make sure that your sausage pinwheels bake evenly and achieve the perfect golden brown color.
Roll the pastry tightly: When rolling up your puff pastry, make sure to do it tightly. This helps the pinwheels keep their shape while baking and makes the slices more uniform.
Seal the seams: After rolling the pastry, pinch the seams to seal them. This prevents the filling from leaking out during baking.
Monitor the baking time: Keep a close eye on the oven during the last few minutes of baking. You want the pinwheels to be golden brown, not burnt.
Prep ahead for convenience: If you want to prepare this appetizer ahead of time, you can freeze the unbaked pinwheels for about a month. Just bake them directly from the freezer when you're ready to serve.
Serving Suggestions
- For a savory lunch, pair these pinwheels with a broccoli mushroom salad. The light, refreshing taste of the salad perfectly complements the rich flavors of the sausage and cheese.
- These pinwheels can also serve as a unique appetizer for your next dinner party. Serve them alongside a selection of dips like marinara or Muhammara dip for an added flavor kick.
- These pinwheels are a great snack option too. They're easy to wrap up and take on the go, whether you're heading to work, school, or a picnic.
- What’s best is that these sausage pinwheels can also be a delicious addition to your holiday table. They're festive, thanks to the pumpkin puree, and a flavorful alternative to traditional sausage stuffing.
Recipe Variation Ideas for Sausage Pinwheels
This delicious pumpkin pinwheel recipe is so flavorful and easy to make you'll want to try out some of these delicious variations! Here are some great ideas:
Pizza Twist: If you're a pizza lover, this variation is worth a try. Substitute the pumpkin puree with marinara sauce and add a sprinkle of oregano. You can even substitute the parmesan cheese with mozzarella cheese!
Fill it with Vegetables: For a healthier version, add a layer of spinach or thinly sliced red peppers on top of the sausage. This adds a fresh, crunchy texture and incorporates more veggies too!
Cranberry sauce: If you enjoy a blend of sweet and savory flavors, try adding a layer of cranberry sauce instead of pumpkin puree. The sweetness of the cranberry perfectly balances the savory sausage out quite well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! This recipe calls for Italian sausage, but feel free to use your favorite type of sausage. Just make sure it is removed from the casing and cooked thoroughly before adding it to your puff pastry.
Yes, you can. After you've assembled the pinwheels and cut them into slices, you can freeze them on the baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a zip-top bag and store them in the freezer for up to one month. When you're ready to bake, place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake as directed.
If your puff pastry becomes too soft or sticky to work with, simply place it in the fridge for a few minutes to firm up. This will make it easier to spread the pumpkin puree and sausage mixture, and to roll up the pastry.
The pinwheels are done when they're golden brown and the puff pastry has puffed up and looks flaky. This usually takes about twenty minutes, but ovens vary, so start checking them around the fifteen-minute mark.
Of course! Feel free to customize the sausage mixture to your liking. You could add some cooked bell peppers for a bit of sweetness, or some red pepper flakes for a kick of heat. The possibilities are endless!
How to Store Leftover Sausage Pinwheels
You can easily store any leftover pinwheels you may have. Here are some storage instructions that will come in handy:
Refrigerator: If you have leftovers, simply place them in an airtight container covered in plastic wrap. They'll keep in the fridge for about three to four days. Before you pop them in the fridge, make sure they've cooled down to room temperature.
Reheating: When you're ready to enjoy them again, preheat your oven to medium heat. Place the pinwheels on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake until they're heated through and the cheese is bubbly. This should take about ten minutes.
Freezing: Yes, you can freeze sausage pinwheels! In fact, freezing is a great way to prepare ahead. If you have unbaked pinwheels, place them on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer for about an hour. Once they're solid, transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container. They can be frozen for up to a month. Allow them to thaw in the fridge before following the recipe instructions.
If you make this recipe, please leave me a comment below and rate it. I always appreciate the feedback. Also, you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.
More Delicious Appetizers
Recipe
Sausage Pinwheels
Ingredients
- 2 (6 oz) Italian sausages casings removed
- 14 oz puff pastry thawed
- 5 tablespoon pumpkin puree
- 1 c Parmesan cheese shredded
- 3 tablespoon green onion thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut the sausages lengthwise and then cut each piece into ¼-in thick slices.
- Preheat the skillet over medium-low heat, add sausages, and cook on a dry skillet, stirring occasionally, until slightly browned, about 3 to 5 minutes. If the sausage starts to stick, you can add a bit of avocado or olive oil. Remove the sausage from the heat.
- On a lightly floured surface, unroll the puff pastry sheet. If you have one piece, cut it in half.
- Spread each sheet with 2 ½ tablespoon of pumpkin puree and top with the sausage.
- Sprinkle Parmsan cheese on top of the sausage, followed by green onions. Lightly press the ingredients into the dough.
- Starting at a short end, roll each pastry sheet into a log. Pinch the seams and flip the log so that the seam is at the bottom.
- Cut each log into even slices, about 8 slices per log.
- Transfer the sliced to a prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until the pinwheels are lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven, transfer the pinwheels to a wire rack, and let them cool for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
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