This flavorful Italian Sausage Braid is a savory crescent roll creation filled with spinach and creamy Havarti cheese, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or any special occasion. Super-stuffed crescent dough is loaded with Italian sausage, fresh spinach, and a generous sprinkling of Havarti, then baked until golden and irresistible. Slice it for an appetizer, serve as a main dish, or enjoy as handheld party fare any time of year.

Easy Italian Sausage Braid Recipe

This delicious crescent braid is one of those “special” meals I love making for breakfast or brunch, or serving with a simple salad for a low-stress entrée later in the day. It’s perfect for casual family dinners, weekend gatherings, or even as a show-stopping dish for holidays and special occasions. The Italian sausage and spinach filling can be prepared ahead of time, making assembly quick and easy when you’re in a hurry. A little pre-planning goes a long way, it can save a busy weekday and keep you from reaching for takeout or the drive-thru on your way home.

Key ingredients you’ll need to make an Italian Sausage Crescent Roll Braid: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card and quantities.)

Crescent Rolls – One can crescent seamless dough sheet OR crescent rolls forms the pastry.
Sausage – You can use spicy or mild ground Italian sausage.
Onion – Green onions for a hint of onion flavor.
Spices – Dried Italian seasoning, garlic salt and black pepper.
Spinach – Baby spinach leaves add color and flavor.
Cheese – A combination of Havarti cheese and grated Parmesan cheese.
Butter – Salted butter or unsalted butter for a golden brown finish.

ingredients-to-make-breakfast-sausage-braid

How to Make the BEST Italian Sausage Spinach Havarti Crescent Braid

Heat Oven and Prepare Pan – Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Saute Sausage – Cook the sausage and onion together until no pink remains. Drain grease from the pan.
Add Spinach – Add Italian seasoning and spinach to the pan. Cook stirring until the spinach has wilted.
Crescent Rolls – Press the crescent dough into a 12×16-inch rectangle. Sprinkle 1/2 of the shredded cheese down the center of the dough.
Assemble – Spoon the Italian sausage and spinach mixture over the cheese then cover with the remaining shredded cheese.
Slice Dough – Make 1-inch cuts on each side of the filling at an angle starting at the edge of the dough. Fold the slices over each other.
Melted Butter – Brush the top and sides with melted butter then sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and more Italian seasoning.
Oven – Bake per the baking time in the recipe until golden brown.
Serve – Rest for 5 minutes on the pan then slice and serve.

Kitchen Equipment to Make a Sausage Braid

Sheet pan or cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Large skillet.
Cheese grater.
Pastry brush.
Small bowl to melt the butter in the microwave.
Sharp knife and cutting board.
Measuring cups and measuring spoons.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

Cheese – You can use any flavor of cheese for this recipe that you like. I chose Havarti cheese because of it’s creamy slightly nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the spinach and sausage. You could use mozzarella cheese, colby jack cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, swiss cheese, fontina cheese, gruyere cheese or spicy pepper jack cheese.
Crescent Rolls – A sheet of crescent dough makes assembly a cinch. You can use classic crescent rolls, simply press together at the perforations.
Fresh Herbs – You could add fresh parsley, rosemary or basil.
Spice – Add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes for spice.
Pizza Dough – This recipe could easily be adapted using a can of refrigerated pizza dough.
Egg – You could use an egg wash to brush the crescent braid just before baking instead of butter.
Veggies – You could add mushrooms to the sausage mixture.
Don’t Cut Too Close – When cutting the strips into the crescent rolls on either side of the filling for the braid, stop within 1/4-inch of the filling to keep the filling nestled snugly inside of the dough.
Allow Stand Time – After baking the braid until crispy and golden brown, allow a few minutes of stand time on the pan before cutting into slices to enjoy.
For a sweet variation try Apple Pie Crescent Rolls from Lemon Tree Dwelling.

Storage and Leftovers

Leftovers – Store Italian Sausage Spinach Havarti Crescent Braid chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating – Reheat in single servings in the microwave or in an air fryer.
Freezer – You can freeze leftover sausage braid for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.

More Crescent Roll Recipes to Make

French Dip Crescent Ring is prefect for game day eats and casual meals with the family.
Turkey Cranberry Crescent Ring is packed with fall flavors.
Italian Sausage Spinach and Havarti Crescent Braid that can take you from appetizer to brunch or dinner.
Chicken Pot Pie Crescent Ring is comfort food in a different way.
Sausage Egg and Cheese Breakfast Casserole is a stellar start to the day.
Bacon Cheeseburger Crescent Ring for game day and casual dining.
Fried Peanut Butter Crescent Bombs from Pillsbury.

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