Sausage Balls Recipe

Name: Sausage Balls Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb. ground pork sausage or turkey sausage; 2 cups Bisquick mix; 4 cups finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese; ¼ to 1/3 cup milk (see notes); 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce; ¼ cup finely minced onion; 2 cloves garlic minced; ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

December 21, 2021 by Beth Pierce 57 Comments

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This quick and easy Classic Sausage Balls Recipe makes perfect bite-sized party appetizers or tasty snacks. With just eight simple ingredients, these balls are ready for the oven in about fifteen minutes. They are always a huge hit with family and friends. Serve them fresh out of the oven just as they are or with a simple sauce or dip to dress them up.

How to make Sausage Balls

Start by adding the pork sausage and Bisquick baking mix to a large bowl. Using your hands, combine the mixture together as much as possible. Then add the shredded cheese, milk, Worcestershire sauce, minced onion, minced garlic, and fresh ground black pepper. Using your hands again, mix it all together.

Then roll the mixture into a little more than 1-inch balls and place uncooked sausage balls on a parchment-covered baking sheet with a little space between the balls so the heat of the oven can brown them. Bake for about 25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. For best results, serve promptly.

Recipe notes and helpful tips for Sausage Balls Recipe

Finely mince the onion and garlic so the sausage balls roll easily.
Use any ground pork sausage or Italian sausage. I like to choose one that is not too lean and one that does not have too much fat. The fat in the sausage gives it flavor, but I don’t like them floating in grease.
Let the pork sausage and cheddar come to room temperature for 30-40 minutes but do not go longer than that for safety reasons.
A 2-tablespoon cookie scoop is ideal for portioning out the mixture for uniform-sized meatballs.
For a flavor variation, try adding a little Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or crushed red pepper.
Experiment with different cheeses like Parmesan Cheese, Pepper Jack Cheese, or Monterey Jack Cheese.
The mixture for the balls can be prepped up to 2 days in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator. Or roll them and flash-freeze them. Then store them in a heavy-duty freezer bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw on a baking sheet for 20 minutes and bake as directed.
I like to use parchment paper for even browning, optimal baking, and easy clean-up.
Serve these delicious appetizers with your favorite dipping sauce. Some of our favorites are comeback sauce, boom boom sauce, chick fil a sauce, honey mustard, ranch dressing, maple syrup, or marinara.
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power.

With just eight simple ingredients, these sausage balls are ready for the oven in about fifteen minutes.

What can I substitute for Bisquick Baking Mix?

Bisquick is an all-purpose baking and biscuit mix. If you can’t get it or you prefer not to buy it, make your own homemade Bisquick mix. Simply whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Then cut in 2 tablespoons of vegetable shortening using a pastry blender. Now you are ready to proceed with the rest of the recipe.

Why are my sausage balls dry?

Every brand of pork sausage has a little bit of a different fat ratio. The amount of milk you use may need to be increased or decreased just a touch. You want the baking mix to blend in fairly well. I find that the finely minced onions and garlic help keep the sausage balls moist and for best results, cook just until done.

These delicious appetizers are always a huge hit with family and friends and are perfect for game day and movie night.

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