Australian Sausage Rolls
These Australian Sausage Rolls with cheese and bacon are full of flavor like you’ve never tasted before. And this recipe is not that difficult to make.
If you’ve never had sausage rolls, you’re in for a treat!!
What is an Australian sausage roll?
Australian Sausage Rolls are well known down under. I would say they are similar to pigs in blankets. Puff pastry is rolled around a savory meat filling. The meat can vary from ground beef, ground pork, or sausage. Vegetarian versions are also available.
All good bakeries in Australia sell hot sausage rolls for a quick snack on the run, and supermarkets stock a frozen, bake-at-home variety. But honestly, you have no idea what ingredients are in those.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Homemade: When you make homemade sausage rolls, you put in what you know is good. Over the years, my Australian sausage rolls have developed into this cheesy, smoky version.
- Ideal for entertaining: These are perfect for entertaining and excellent party food because you can make sausage rolls beforehand.
- Freezer Friendly: Australian Sausage Rolls are freezer-friendly. I like to make larger sausage rolls for a casual Sunday night supper.
For complete ingredient quantities and full instructions, please scroll to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.
Ingredient notes
This recipe uses high-quality ingredients, but let’s not pretend it’s low-fat. However, the taste is well worth it.
- Beef – Choose ground beef with a little fat to keep the sausage rolls moist, just as you would do when making these oven-baked burgers.
- Bacon – Let’s admit it: Bacon is the star of the show. Choose your favorite.
- Tasty cheddar cheese together with Pecorino Romano cheese- You could use Parmigiano Reggiano cheese instead of Pecorino.
- Smokey barbecue sauce gives this sausage roll recipe an extra flavor kick. If you love classic barbecue flavor, try this quick, easy air fryer bbq salmon recipe.
- Liquid smoke enhances the smokiness, but it’s not essential.
Plus, herbs and spices, and just a little bit of breadcrumbs to keep everything moist and soft.
Instructions
Making Australian sausage rolls couldn’t be simpler. There’s no pre-cooking involved.
Mix up the raw ingredients.
Divide the mixture among the prerolled puff pastry sheets and shape each into a sausage.
Roll the pastry around the filling.
Cut each log into 6 pieces.
Storage
Australian Sausage Rolls are best eaten soon after baking. Alternatively, these sausage rolls can also be eaten cold on a hot day.
You can freeze these Australian Sausage Rolls before baking. Simply, arrange on baking trays lined with non-stick paper up to the point of baking. Freeze directly on baking trays until frozen. Then, pack into ziplock bags for up to a month. You could also freeze after baking. All you do is cool the sausage rolls completely and freeze them in sealed containers.
Tips for Success
This recipe uses pre-rolled, frozen puff pastry. These pre-rolled puff pastry sheets are also perfect for savory Twists with prosciutto or sweet Cream Horns.
FAQ
Sausage rolls are a very popular part of British cuisine. However, this savory treat has spread to most nations in the Commonwealth, including Australia, where it can be found in all bakeries.
Eaten in moderation and as part of a balanced diet, sausage rolls aren’t bad for you, especially if you eat these homemade Australian Sausage Rolls.
Serving suggestions
We love our Australian sausage rolls dipped in tomato or barbecue sauce.
This Australian Sausage Roll recipe with cheese and bacon ticks all the boxes – super tasty, great for entertaining, and very welcome at parties. Make a batch and put half in the freezer for later. You’ll thank yourself for it.
Be sure to also try my baked Italian sausage recipe if you enjoyed this recipe; it is delicious!
More party recipes
Nuts and Bolts
Marinated Olives
Homemade Crackers
Mini Bacon and Onion Pasties from It’s Not Complicated Recipes
Cheese Gougeres from A Baking Journey
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Australian Sausage Rolls Recipe
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 lb (450 grams) ground beef
- 8 oz (227 grams) bacon
- 1¾ cups (200 grams) grated sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (50 grams) finely grated pecorino Romano cheese
- 1 small onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar omit if using Australian or British style barbecue sauce
- ½ cup dry breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- freshly ground pepper to taste
For Shaping and Baking
- 2 sheets frozen puff pastry thawed (See Note 1)
- 1 egg for egg wash
- Pinch of salt
- Poppy seeds
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F/200ºC. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.
To make the Filling
- Finely chopped the bacon, onion and garlic. I like to stick the whole lot into a food processor and pulse until it's all finely chopped.
- In a bowl, combine all the ingredients for the filling.
To Shape and Bake
- In a small bowl, lightly beat the extra egg with a pinch of salt for an egg wash.
- Divide the filling into eight portions.
- Roll each sheet of thawed puff pastry slightly thinner and cut into four rectangles (you’ll have eight rectangles in total). If using four Australian puff pastry sheets, don't roll out thinner: just cut each sheet in half (you'll have eight rectangles in total).
- Spread one portion of filling along the long edge of each rectangle. Brush the opposite long edge with a small amount of the egg mixture. Roll up tightly, and cut into six sausage rolls. You’ll have 48 in total.
- Arrange on a prepared baking sheet, allowing room to puff.
- Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with poppy seeds.
- Bake in preheated oven 30 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown and the filling is cooked through.
- Serve with your choice of dipping sauce.
Notes
- Australian puff pastry sheets are smaller and thinner than those sold in the U.S. If using Australian puff pastry, you’ll need about 4 sheets (12 oz / 340 g total) to replace the 2 sheets from a 17.3 oz (490 g) U.S. package.
Nutritional Estimate Per Serving
Nutritional Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. For accurate results, it is recommended that the nutritional information be calculated based on the ingredients and brands you use.
I have a bag of frozen sausage rolls. Any special instructions cooking from frozen or the same temp 400F for 30 minutes or golden? Thank you!!
Have you frozen these Australian sausage rolls? If you have, you’ll need to give them 10 minutes longer in the oven when cooking from frozen. Hope the helps.
Thank you!! Yes, they are completely frozen and I didn’t think it would be wise to defrost them first with the puff pastry. We really enjoyed them when I made them fresh. Thanks again for the recipe and the additional cooking information!!
You’re welcome, Bethany! Yes, it’s better to bake them from frozen. I’m thrilled that you love these. Enjoy!
These sound absolutely terrific. I’m wondering however, I would prefer to omit the barbeque sauce so would I omit the breadcrumbs as well?
Mari, these are delicious. Don’t leave the bread crumbs out – they give the sausage rolls the correct texture. The barbeque sauce adds a lot of flavor and moisture. It could replaced by another sauce or a relish. If not, add a splash more milk to achieve the correct consistency. Mix the filling up omitting the barbeque sauce then add splashes of extra milk until the mixture is moist but still holds it’s form.
Just made these – so tasty! Great flavour and I think this might be my new go to recipe. Thank you
Meredith, I’m thrilled that you love our family recipe.
Really delicious, got a lot of raves for these and they were so easy to make! Thank you!
Your’re welcome, Dorothy! These are a regular for me too.
So moist and full of flavour – absolutely scrumptious!
sounds very yummy making meat balls now .will make them ASAP can not wait to make . nice comment to freeze before making. great idea. Thanks
Enjoy!!
These are gorgeous! A super easy recipe to follow and they turned out delicious.
So glad you enjoyed our family’s favourite Sunday night supper!
Such wonderful flavors! My kids love having these types of treats in the freezer that they can heat up and snack on. They would go crazy over these!
I have to admit I don’t think I’ve actually ever had a sausage roll, believe it or not. But they sound delicious. May give this a try for the upcoming holidays!
Frank, I’d love to know what you think. This is an Aussie classic!
No way I would ever buy frozen sausage rolls from the supermarket after seeing how easy – and how absolutely delicious – these ones look! What a great appetiser 🙂
Sylvie, these are so easy. I like to keep them in the freezer for a quick snack or light meal. I haven’t bought a frozen sausage roll in so long.
Yum! These sausage rolls look delicious Marcellina!! That combination of ingredients for the meat sounds amazing!! I bet they go down a treat at parties, cheers!
Sure do, Adrianne!
This is such a perfect push to make the rolls; never tasted them before ! Thank you so much Marcellina 🙂
Let me know if you try them! Such a bakery classic here in Australia.
Another great Aussie recipe! The use of pre-made puff pastry certainly makes things easier. I wonder if anyone has dared post a recipe for the beloved Chiko rolls?
Oooh interesting! I had never thought of that. Almost forgot about Chiko rolls!
These look terrific! Not a dish I have very often, but always enjoy when I do. Super recipe — thanks.
I really love a homemade sausage roll!
These are so delicious! The addition of cheese and bacon!? Such a yummy idea!
Thanks Alexandra! The pecorino cheese just takes these to another level.
My daughter is a fussy eater but LOVES sausage rolls – defo making a batch of these once I get the ingredients. Will be freezing them too for easy midweek dinners 😉
Gavin, you might even be able to sneak in a grated carrot – I don’t think your daughter would notice. I like to freeze mine before baking. Enjoy!