This quick and easy Classic Sausage Balls Recipe makes perfect bite-sized party appetizers or tasty snacks. These balls are ready for the oven in about fifteen minutes with just eight simple ingredients.
These sausage balls 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. I love to serve these with crescent roll veggie pizza, 7 layer dip, and lemon pepper chicken wings.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
See the complete list of ingredients below on the recipe card.
- Ground pork sausage: For a leaner recipe, try ground turkey sausage.
- Bisquick mix: Bisquick is an all-purpose baking and biscuit mix. If you can not get it, see below for instructions on how to make it.
- Cheese: I use sharp cheddar, but you can use different cheeses like Parmesan Cheese, Pepper Jack Cheese, or Monterey Jack Cheese.
- Milk: 2% or whole milk
- Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a little more flavor, but if you don’t have it and don’t want to purchase it, you can omit it.
How to Make Sausage Balls
This is the summary version; see the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and the instructions.
Add the pork sausage and Bisquick baking mix to a large bowl. Using your hands, combine the mixture 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.
Then roll the mixture into slightly larger than 1-inch balls and place the uncooked sausage balls on a parchment-covered baking sheet with a bit of space between them so the oven heat can brown them. Bake for about 25 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through. For best results, serve these balls promptly.
Preparation Tips
- Let the pork sausage and cheddar come to room temperature for 30-40 minutes, but do not let them sit longer than that for safety reasons.
- A 2-tablespoon cookie scoop is ideal for portioning the mixture for uniform-sized meatballs.
- Add a little Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or crushed red pepper for a flavor variation.
- I like to use parchment paper for even browning, optimal baking, and easy clean-up.
Storage and Reheat
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at reduced power. Or reheat in the oven at 400 degrees for 6-7 minutes or in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 3-4 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bisquick is an all-purpose baking and biscuit mix. If you can’t get it or prefer not to buy it, make your homemade Bisquick mix.
Whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Then, use a pastry blender to cut in 2 tablespoons of vegetable shortening. Now, you are ready to proceed with the rest of the recipe.
Every brand of pork sausage has a slightly different fat ratio. The amount of milk you use may need to be increased or decreased a little bit. You want the baking mix to blend in reasonably well. The finely minced onions and garlic help keep the sausage balls moist. For best results, cook just until done.
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.
The mixture for the balls can be prepped up to 2 days in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator. You can also roll them and flash-freeze them. Then, store them in a heavy-duty freezer bag and freeze them for up to 2 months. Thaw on a baking sheet for 20 minutes and bake as directed.
More appetizer recipes
Sausage Balls Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground pork sausage or turkey sausage
- 2 cups Bisquick mix
- 4 cups finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ¼ to ⅓ cup milk
- 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
- Let the pork sausage and cheddar come to room temperature for 30-40 minutes, but do not let them sit longer than that for safety reasons.
- A 2-tablespoon cookie scoop is ideal for portioning the mixture for uniform-sized meatballs.
- Add a little Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or crushed red pepper for a flavor variation.
- I like to use parchment paper for even browning, optimal baking, and easy clean-up.
Nutrition
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Emily
I need to send this to my grandmother, I know she would love a recipe like this! It would make a good side dish, as well.
Michelle
These sausaage balls are fantastic. I made them for the football playoffs and everyone loved them! Thanks for the recipe, Beth!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Michelle!
Fransic
These are so yummy! We have been making these delicious sausage balls since you first posted the recipe. We love them! Thanks for sharing.
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Fransic!
Julia G
I made these for a recent party with friends and they were a huge hit! I love that you always give the best tips. Thanks for the awesome sausage ball recipe!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Julia!
Sophie
These Classic Sausage Balls were absolutely delicious! I loved how quick and easy they were to make – perfect for our last minute appetizer. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Sophie! I am so glad that they worked out for you!
Maria
This were a great idea, and it was nice to have something different to make that all of the children loved. Thank for sharing the recipe, Beth!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Maria!
Michelle
Great sausage balls! My mom used to make these when I was little and I loved them. Thanks for the great memories. I am holding on to the recipe.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Michelle! I am so glad that you liked the sausage balls. Food can be so nostalgic.
Emily F
These sausage balls were the best and so easy to prepare. The kids loved them! Thanks for the recipe. We will make them again!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Emily!
Richardson
Yet another great recipe! Everyone agreed that these were delicious and that they will be a regular for our family movie nights! Thanks for sharing!
Beth Pierce
My pleasure, Richardson!
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!