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A elevated take on the classic English pork sausage roll! Adding in white cheddar and dried cranberries with lots of herby flavor.

Sausage Rolls the Most British Snack Ever

I’m an Anglophile through and through, so this is the perfect snack for a girl like me. A traditional English sausage roll is a mix of spiced pork sausage with aromatics and seasoning, wrapped in flaky puff pastry, brushed with an egg wash and sprinkled with sesame seeds, or in my cast Everything Bagel Seasoning. They have a great crispy crunch on the outside from the puff pastry, that soaks up the juices from the pork sausage on the inside. 

These are an underrated snack at the holidays in American households and I think it’s high time they become mainstream at our holiday tables and snack trays. 

Why this is the BEST Homemade Sausage Rolls Recipe ever

Typical sausage rolls will include pork sausage meat, various herbs, fennel or caraway seed, garlic, and other seasonings. What is great about this sausage roll is that is includes sharp white cheddar cheese, warm sage, and dried cranberries for a subtly sweet flavor. 

To add to the mix of flavors, in lieu of the traditional sesame seeds on top of the puff pastry, I opted for Everything Bagel Seasoning! It has white and black sesame seed, minced dried onion, garlic, and more!

Ingredients for White Cheddar Cranberry Pork Sausage Rolls

The ingredients, while varied from the traditional line up, are easy to source at most grocery stores. I want to make these elevated but achievable. While there are a lot of herbs and spices, they don’t require much for any, but together each little teaspoon imparts a big punch! 

For the sausage rolls

  • Ground Pork Sausage
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Parsley
  • Thyme
  • Sage
  • Black Pepper
  • Salt
  • White Cheddar Cheese
  • Dried Cranberries

For the Pastry

  • Puff Pastry
  • Egg
  • Water
  • Toasted sesame seeds, or Everything Bagel Seasoning

How to make Sausage Rolls

The process of making these traditional sausage rolls is quite simple. Mixing the sausage filling first with all of the aromatics, and add in flavors, then rolling it into a chilled puff pastry brushed with egg to give it that utterly glossy and golden finish. Here are the steps to make a sausage roll. 

  1. Prepare the Filling:
    1. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground pork sausage, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, thyme, sage, black pepper, and salt.
    2. Mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined. You can use your hands or a spoon to ensure an even mix. Alternatively, you can also use a food processor and pulse to combine.
  2. Prepare the Pastry:
    1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
    2. Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. If using store-bought, follow the package instructions for thawing.
    3. Cut the pastry sheet into two equal-sized rectangles.
  3. Assemble the Sausage Rolls:
    1. Divide the sausage filling into two equal portions.
    2. Shape each portion into a long log and place it along one of the long edges of the pastry rectangles.
    3. Brush the opposite edge of the pastry with a egg and water mixed together. Roll the pastry over the sausage filling, sealing the edges to form a long roll. The egg wash helps to seal the pastry.
    4. Cut each roll into smaller pieces, about 2-3 inches long using a bread knife. Clean the knife if needed with each pass.
  4. Bake the Sausage Rolls:
    1. Place the rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
    2. Brush the tops of the sausage rolls with the egg wash – 1 egg with 1 tablespoon of water mixed togehter with a fork. Sprinkle with sesame seeds or Everything Bagel Seasoning.
    3. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed up.
  5. Serve:
    • Let the sausage rolls cool slightly before serving. They can be enjoyed hot or cold and are perfect with a side of mustard or a dipping sauce of your choice.

FAQ’s about Sausage Rolls

Keep the pastry cold

The puff pastry needs to be kept cool as long as possible. Yes, you need it soft enough to foll out, but don’t let it get warm or room temperature. This will effect the puff and crispiness in the end result. You can always roll and then chill your sausage rolls to ensure clean cuts and well chilled pastry before baking. 

Can I use other ground meat?

Sure! I love pork, and it is more traditional. But if you have another preferred protein sausage, go nuts! A ground chicken sausage would be lovely, or change up the flavors of sausage like an Italian flavors or spicy version. The possibilities are endless. 

What Does The Eggwash Do?

Egg wash is going to give you that super crispy and golden brown top. It will also adhere the seeds to the top. This is a step you should not miss. You can use water, but the effect will not be the same.

Can I freeze these and heat for later?

Yes! Prepare the recipe in full. Once brushed with egg wash, place them onto a parchment lined baking sheet and place in the freezer to freeze completely. Once frozen, they can be put into freezer safe Ziploc bags and frozen for up to two months. You can thaw them overnight in the fridge before baking, or bake from frozen, but adjustments to the baking times will be needed. And keep and eye on them so the pastry doesn’t burn.

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White Cheddar Cranberry Pork Sausage Rolls

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  • Author: Megan Keno
  • Prep Time: 25 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 25-30 Minutes
  • Total Time: 0 hours
  • Yield: 12 Rolls 1x
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: English
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Description

Taking on an English classic recipe with some extra every day elevated flair!

Ingredients

Units Scale

For the Sausage Filling:

  • 1 pound ground pork sausage
  • 1 cup finely minced onion
  • 2 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, minced
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried sage, (or 1 tablespoon fresh minced)
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt
  • 2/3 cup shredded White Cheddar Cheese
  • 1/3 cup Dried Cranberries, finely chopped

For the Pastry:

  • 1 sheet puff pastry (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 egg (for egg wash)
  • 1 tbsp water (for egg wash)
  • 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds, or Everything Bagel Seasoning

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Filling:
    1. In a mixing bowl, combine the ground pork sausage, finely chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, thyme, sage, black pepper, salt, cheddar, and cranberries. 
    2. Mix well until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined. You can use your hands or a spoon to ensure an even mix. Alternatively, you can also use a food processor and pulse to combine.
  2. Prepare the Pastry:
    1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
    2. Roll out the puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. If using store-bought, follow the package instructions for thawing.
    3. Cut the pastry sheet into two equal-sized rectangles.
  3. Assemble the Sausage Rolls:
    1. Divide the sausage filling into two equal portions.
    2. Shape each portion into a long log and place it along one of the long edges of the pastry rectangles.
    3. Brush the opposite edge of the pastry with a egg and water mixed together. Roll the pastry over the sausage filling, sealing the edges to form a long roll. The egg wash helps to seal the pastry.
    4. Cut each roll into smaller pieces, about 2-3 inches long using a bread knife. Clean the knife if needed with each pass.
  4. Bake the Sausage Rolls:
    1. Place the rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
    2. Brush the tops of the sausage rolls with the egg wash. Sprinkle with sesame seeds or Everything Bagel Seasoning.
    3. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and puffed up.
  5. Serve:
    • Let the sausage rolls cool slightly before serving. They can be enjoyed hot or cold and are perfect with a side of mustard or a dipping sauce of your choice.

Equipment