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This super flavorful sausage balls recipe makes the perfect bite-sized snack or appetizer! Use Bisquick to whip up these little goodies, then serve them with all the dipping sauces!
I love easy apps that can also double as dinner. This sausage balls recipe needs a handful of ingredients including sharp cheddar cheese and zesty Italian seasoning, and you can enjoy them on game day or whenever! For a bigger meal, I like to round them out into dinner along with a loaf of fresh-baked no knead Dutch oven bread, a buttery scoop of creamy mashed potatoes, and a side of corn souffle.
You’ll Love These Easy & Cheesy Sausage Balls
- So quick. In less than 30 minutes you’ll have dinner or an appetizer ready to serve!
- Make ahead friendly. These sausage balls freeze well, and I’ve given all the details on how to make them ahead lower down in this post. Tip: Double the batch and stash half in the freezer so they’re ready to go anytime!
- Goes with everything. From making these into a main dish option or serving them with a variety of dipping sauces, there’s not much that doesn’t go with sausage balls.
Recipe Ingredients
These 5-ingredient sausage balls need 10 minutes or less to make, and the ingredients are so easy to find! Here’s a look at what you need, and don’t forget to scroll to the recipe card lower down for the full ingredient amounts.
- Biscuit mix – Use a premade biscuit mix such as Bisquick.
- Cheddar cheese – I use a sharp cheddar cheese that I shred myself; you can use any type of cheddar (mild, medium, etc.) you prefer.
- Pork sausage – You can substitute another type of sausage if you don’t eat pork.
- Italian seasoning – If you don’t have Italian seasoning, do a mix of equal parts dried basil and oregano.
- Milk – Whole or 2% milk works fine.
Tips and Variation Ideas
- Use Freshly Shredded Cheese – Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can affect its texture. For the best melt and flavor, shred sharp cheddar from a block.
- Room Temperature Ingredients – Let the sausage and cheese come to room temperature before mixing. This helps them incorporate evenly into the mixture and makes rolling it out easier.
- Adjusting Consistency – If the mixture is too dry and crumbly, add a little more milk, one tablespoon at a time, until it holds together. If it’s too sticky, add a bit more biscuit mix.
- Uniform Size for Even Baking – Use a cookie scoop or measuring spoon to ensure all sausage balls are the same size. This helps them cook evenly and prevents some from drying out.
- Crispier Texture – For a crispier outside, bake the sausage balls on a wire rack placed over a baking sheet. This allows excess fat to drain while baking.
Dipping Sauces! So Many Options.
Almost anything goes with sausage balls, from ketchup to homemade yum yum sauce! Some other options include:
- Honey mustard – I love the combo of sweet-spicy in honey mustard, and it’s perfect with sausage balls.
- Ranch – Set out a bowl of your favorite ranch dressing and dip away!
- Spicy mayonnaise – Add a little hot sauce to a dish of mayo or make garlic aioli (a mix of minced garlic, lemon juice, and mayonnaise).
- Mayo-ketchup mix – For the easiest homemade sauce, whisk together equal parts ketchup and mayonnaise and serve it with a plate of sausage balls.
How to Store and Reheat
- Fridge – Transfer cooled sausage balls to an airtight container or resealable bag and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days,
- Freezer – After rolling the balls, place them on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer until solid. Transfer the frozen sausage balls to a freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. You can bake the balls from frozen at 375°F, though they will take longer than if they are defrosted. Or, thaw them in the fridge before baking them.
- To Reheat – Place the balls on a baking sheet and heat them in a 350°F oven until hot.
More Pork Dinner Ideas
Sausage Balls
This sausage balls recipe relies on Bisquick, pork sausage, and Italian seasoning for an easy appetizer.
Ingredients
- 2 cups biscuit mix, such as Bisquick
- 1 pound shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 pound ground pork sausage
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ⅓ cup milk, or as much as needed
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with nonstick spray.
- Mix the Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the biscuit mix, shredded cheddar cheese, ground pork sausage, and Italian seasoning. Gradually add milk, a little at a time, until the mixture comes together and holds its shape. Mix until well combined, but avoid overworking the dough.
- Shape the Sausage Balls. Using a small cookie scoop or hands, roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
- Bake the Sausage Balls. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 13-15 minutes or until the sausage balls are golden brown and cooked through. They should have a crunchy outside with a tender, cheesy center.
- Cool and Serve. Remove the sausage balls from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy warm on their own or with a dipping sauce of choice!
Nutrition
Calories: 154kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 319mg | Potassium: 72mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 181IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 136mg | Iron: 0.5mg
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
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How to Make This Sausage Balls Recipe
- Preheat the Oven. Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the Ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the biscuit mix, shredded cheddar cheese, ground pork sausage, and Italian seasoning. Gradually add milk until the mixture holds together.
- Shape the Sausage Balls. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the Sausage Balls. Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
