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.
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.
Other appetizer recipes you will love!
PrintSausage Balls Recipe
A tasty and moist Sausage Ball Recipe made with minced onion, garlic, and sharp cheddar. Prepped and in the oven in less than fifteen minutes. These delicious appetizers are always a huge hit with family and friends and are perfect for game day and movie night.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: appetizer/snack
- Method: bake
- 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
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add the pork sausage and Bisquick baking mix to a large bowl. Using your hands, combine the mixture together as much as possible.
- Add the shredded cheddar, milk, Worcestershire sauce, minced onion, minced garlic, and fresh ground black pepper. Using your hands again, mix it all together.
- Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet with about 1-inch space between the balls. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. For best results, serve promptly.
Notes
- Add the milk 1-2 tablespoons at a time until the mixture comes together
- 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.
- For a flavor variation, try adding a little Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or crushed red pepper.
- 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 heavy-duty freezer bags and freeze them 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.
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power.
Keywords: bisquick sausage balls, sausage cheese balls, how to make sausage balls, bisquick sausage cheese balls
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Jasmine Martin
I absolutely love sausage balls and these look so good. I am going to have to make these with some pasta.
Beth Pierce
Thanks! Enjoy!
Everything Enchanting
As an Indian I love pakodas, be it veg or non-veg! And these sausage balls look absolutely delicious 😍 Gotta try it soon!
★★★★★
Yeah Lifestyle
This is such a great recipe idea as I always have sausages in my freezer and could make this easily for my kids
★★★★★
Marysa
This sounds like a tasty idea, especially for entertaining. I’ll have to try making these for our next get together.
Rhian Westbury
This sounds like a yummy recipe, we love using sausages and sausage meat in our household. I’d love to try these in a pasta dish
Paula Richie
I also think that sausage balls are great to serve at parties. They are very simple to prepare also.
Tammy
Ooh these look and sound great! I love that you added Bisquick to the mix..that’s really creative! Definitely need to make these soon!
Chad
This looks so so good! I can’t wait to make your recipe, I never had sausage balls, I am sure this is good.
Samantha Donnelly
The only time I make sausage balls is when I am doing a pesto pasta dish, I have never thought to have them like this before
★★★★★
Donna
Forgot, prep time
Getting ingredients together 5 min
Chopping onions 4 min
Mixing baking min and sausage 10 min
Mixing all ingredients 5 min
Making balls 15 min
Total prep time = 40 min
How you did it all in 15 min???
★★★★★
Donna
Made these for a breakfast potluck at church, went FAST. Put them in my casserole slow cooker to keep warm. A hit, thanks
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Donna!
Wendylynn
I’ve made these a few times for an app.
My family devoured them in no time and they usually request them every Thanksgiving. This year I’m gonna sneak in a little garlic
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much! I am happy that your family likes them!
Debbie
Great! Will be my go-to recipe!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Debbie! Glad that you like the sausage balls!
Heidi
Totally delicious! Your info at top says 8 servings bit at bottom it says 10 servings?
★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks for the tip I will check it out.
Blair Villanueva
This is definitely the kind of food that our kids and their mates will enjoy especially during their sleepover. Thanks for generously sharing with us your recipe. Yummy!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
My pleasure Blair!
Mila R
OMG, my bf asked yesterday about something like this. Will try it tomorrow!
Melanie E
These would be ideal for the kids to eat for dinners after school. They love sausages so I bet they’d love these too.
★★★★★
Rosey
Great recipe. The kids really enjoyed them. I will make them again.
Melanie williams
This is deffo the kind of dish my other half would love, so I may have to give these a go this weekend x
Gervin Khan
Wow! This sausage balls recipe is a great innovation and alternative to the regular meatballs we have. Totally was so delicious and yummy. Plus they are easy to prepare and cook. Loved it!
★★★★★
Tweenselmom
Loving these sausage balls! They are so darn tasty. I love dipping them in your comeback sauce. Thanks for the great recipe.
★★★★★
Sherry
What brand of sausage do you use. Not too lean and not too fat…does that exit?
Thanks.
Beth Pierce
I use either Jimmy Deans All Natural or Bob Evans Naturally.
Beth
Can you use chicken sausage instead if pork?
Thank you
Beth Pierce
If there is enough fat to hold the ball together,
Christiana
I love sausages, and this meal looks really yummy.
★★★★★
Elise Ho
These were so darn delicious. My whole family enjoyed them. I thought I was going to have to make another batch of them!
★★★★★
Abida
I really loved this SAUSAGE BALLS RECIPE thanks for sharing this ❤
★★★★★
Eileen M Loya
My daughter’s birthday is this month and we’re planning a little party for her. These sausage balls are the perfect appetizer. Thanks for the cooking tips and for letting me know about a substitute for Bisquick baking mix too.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome Eileen! Enjoy!!
Rosey
Sausage is so flavorful too. These are perfect for an appetizer at most any gathering!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Rosey!
Marysa
Sounds so tasty, and easy enough to make. I could see myself making a big batch of these and freezing the leftovers.
Kelly Bolen
These look so good! I pinned it for later!!! Thanks!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
My pleasure Kelly!
Melanie williams
Ooo now this looks very simple to follow and also will be great comfort food which my husband will love. thanks x
Claudia
With few ingredients and you already have a delicious snack or side dish. I like a recipe that uses only one bowl.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Me too!!
alita
This is a great idea for snacks. Also, it’s easy and quick to make. Excellent recipe here Beth. Thank you for sharing
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine!
Tweenselmom
I’m glad I have most of the ingredients already. Can’t wait to cook this one!
★★★★★
Heatherkleinwolf
What a great alternative to meatballs. My son loves these sausage balls.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thankyou! So glad that he likes them!
Talya Stone
Oh wow these were so good! My daughter is mad for all things sausage so she made them and we loved them.
★★★★★
Jeanne
Sounds delicious – Any idea if this can be made with Carbquick Instead of Bisquick?
Beth Pierce
I am not familiar with Carbquick. However after doing some research on the internet it looks like you sure can!
Tina Festorazie
Hi,
Can you use a Food Processor (Kitchenaid) to combine the ingredients together? Please.
Beth Pierce
Yes you can
Catalina
These sausage balls are so delicious. My family loved them!
★★★★★
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
Love these Sausage Balls! Can’t wait to try them!
★★★★★
Erik
Wow such an easy recipe! I know a few folks who would simply love these!
★★★★★