Sausage Balls (A Must-Make Appetizer!)
These yummy, cheesy Sausage Balls make the perfect appetizer for the holidays and just because. But be warned: these tasty treats will go fast!
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Why You Will Love Sausage Balls
Ingredients Needed for This Sausage Balls Recipe
Ingredient quantities for this easy sausage balls recipe are located in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Biscuit baking mix (like Bisquick)
- Ground Italian sausage (I use mild)
- Shredded cheddar cheese (hand-shredded for best results)
- Heavy whipping cream
- Water
- Italian seasoning
My go-to for this recipe is mild ground Italian sausage, but you can get creative and try hot ground Italian sausage, maple ground pork sausage, or any other variety of ground Italian or pork sausage you can find.
How To Make Sausage Balls
The steps below are just a quick overview of how to make the recipe. The full process in detail is located in the recipe card at the end of the post.
Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl.
For best results, shred your cheddar cheese by hand with a cheese grater. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents, so it won’t give you that gooey, melted texture of cheese hand-shredded from a block.
Combine until the ingredients are well-mixed.
Using a cookie scoop and/or moistened hands, shape dough into balls of about 1 ½” in diameter, placing them on a cookie sheet. Make sure the dough is very tightly packed.
The Keys to Round Sausage Balls
I feel like there is a 90s SNL skit in here somewhere. 😉 But in all seriousness, here’s how to make sure your sausage balls have a round shape!
Place in the preheated oven and bake, rotating the pan once in the middle of the baking cycle to ensure even baking.
Because this recipe uses raw sausage, you’ll want to make sure the center of your sausage balls reaches a safe temperature of at least 160 F.
Serve and enjoy!
Optionally pair with a dipping sauce. I like these dipped in plain maple syrup or honey-mustard sauce, but feel free to try any sauce you think sounds good!
Easy Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes
Making these sausage balls for your Thanksgiving foods menu and looking for more Thanksgiving-friendly appetizer recipes and side dish recipes? Try these:
- Make this buffalo chicken dip, an exciting new tradition many families are turning to for their holiday celebrations. It’s a hit after one bite! It’s the appetizer that will be devoured first at any party, football game day event, or holiday gathering.
- Bring a flavor-packed easy sweet potato casserole to your next party or holiday feast—it’s sure to impress!
- Bring a casserole with yellow squash that is packed with flavor for your guests.
- Enjoy this easy cranberry sauce that’s both fresh and delicious!
- Discover the delicious potential of oven-baked vegetables—a dish you’ll find yourself making over and over.
- Smokey, sweet, and sensational, this bacon and green beans side dish will be the talk of the dinner table!
Just look at that deliciousness down there 😍 These will go fast, trust me!
Easy Thanksgiving Desserts
Looking for some sweet holiday treats? Try one of these dessert recipes:
- Dive into the holiday spirit with this classic pecan pie, an annual favorite during Thanksgiving. Its biggest rival? The easy and delicious traditional pumpkin pie. Both are excellent dessert additions to any festive gathering!
- Take your dessert lineup to the next level with this pumpkin cheesecake. It tastes so good that it’ll change everyone’s perspective about holiday desserts forever!
- When fall begins, start it off with this irresistibly creamy homemade pumpkin spice latte!
- Do you need to save time when preparing? Then try this creamy and delicious no-bake pumpkin cheesecake recipe.
- Need some traditional extras that are delightful, make these pumpkin bars with cream cheese or pumpkin cookies with chocolate chips. They are perfect for snacks and dessert at any holiday gathering!
- Another sensational new tradition that is sure to bring excitement is this pumpkin cheesecake fluff dessert. This sweet treat will have your guests clamoring for it year after year. It doubles as a delightful dip or as a post-dinner indulgence.
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Sausage Balls
Ingredients
- 2 cups biscuit baking mix (like Bisquick)
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese (preferably hand-shredded)
- 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and mix until well combined.
- Using a cookie scoop and/or moistened hands, shape dough into balls of about 1 ½” in diameter, placing them on a cookie sheet. Make sure the dough is very tightly packed.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes, rotating the pan once during the baking cycle, until the sausage balls are browned and have reached a safe internal temperature of at least 160 F.
Notes
- See the post for helpful tips!
Nutrition Estimates (Per Serving)
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutrition Estimates are per serving and included as a courtesy only. They are accurate to the best of our knowledge based on the ingredients and brands used, but their accuracy is not guaranteed.
These were exactly as I remember them growing up! We devoured them after making them and we’ll be making them again soon for Thanksgiving.
So easy and everyone loved them. Will make again!
Awesome recipe! I made this for the OSU game and they were a hit.
Thanks, Myles! (and go Bucks! 🏈)
Could you suggest some kind of dipping sauce that would pair well?
Hi Cheryl! Some of my favorites include honey mustard, ranch dressing, marinara sauce, and French onion dip.