Sausage Balls

Prep 10 minutes
Cook 25 minutes
Servings 24 balls

One of my favorite party appetizers, these Sausage Balls are made with ground sausage, cheddar cheese, and Cheddar Bay biscuit mix for a soft, cheesy, and flavorful bite. I like to serve them with homemade remoulade sauce for tailgating or holiday get-togethers. They never last long!

Overhead sausage balls on a plate with a bowl of remoulade sauce

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5 STAR REVIEW

Easy Sausage Balls Recipe

The first time I ever had a sausage ball, I fell in love. Sausage cheddar balls are the perfect cross between a meatball and a biscuitโ€”it’s like biting into the best sausage and cheese biscuit sandwich.

This recipe originated many years ago with Bisquick, the original version is made with their baking mix, sausage, and cheddar cheese. You may also see cream cheese sausage balls, where cream cheese is added to the mixture. I decided to switch things up a bit and swap the Bisquick for something a little more excitingโ€”Red Lobster Cheddar Bay biscuit mix to mimic the flavor of our favorite Cheddar Bay Biscuits.

These sausage balls are perfect for parties, from tailgating to the holidays, and they also make a great addition to a breakfast or brunch buffet. As a bonus, they’re simple to make and can easily be prepared in advance.

Helpful Tips and Variations

  • Spoon and level the biscuit mix, donโ€™t scoop.ย Too much of the mix will result in dry sausage balls.
  • Use whatever sausage you want as long as it’s ground pork sausage. Simply ground pork doesn’t have any seasonings, and cooked or smoked sausage rings will not workโ€”it has to be a variety of pork sausage. My personal preference is the Jimmy Dean brand.
  • Add in other flavors. Because the Cheddar Bay biscuit mix already has seasonings in it, I didn’t find the need to add in any extra spices or seasonings but you certainly can if you want to. Garlic is a great addition and you can always add some cayenne pepper to spice things up.
  • Add cream cheese. You may have seen cream cheese sausage ball recipes. This version is similar but uses buttermilk and two cups of cheddar instead. The cream cheese version skips the buttermilk and uses one pack of cream cheese with just one cup of cheddar. I prefer the extra cheddar flavor, though the cream cheese does make them extra creamy.
5 from 4

Sausage Balls

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 24 balls
A party appetizer favorite, these Sausage Balls are soft, cheesy, and so flavorful. Serve with homemade remoulade sauce at your next tailgating or holiday get together and watch them disappear! Also great with scrambled eggs for breakfast.
See below the recipe card for step-by-step images.

Ingredients 

  • 1 lb. ground pork sausage, (such as Jimmy Dean; mild, medium or hot depending on taste)
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, (fresh off the block for optimal moisture and flavor)
  • 2 cups Red Lobster cheddar bay biscuit mix*, (mixed with seasoning packet, spooned and leveled)
  • ยผ cup buttermilk
  • 1 scallion, (finely diced)
  • remoulade sauce, (for serving)

Instructions 

  • Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, mix together all of the ingredients on low speed until evenly combined (alternatively, mix by hand.) Use a wooden spoon if you donโ€™t have a stand mixer.ย The uncooked dough is stiff and crumbly, and very hard to stir, so a stand mixer will really be your friend here. If you donโ€™t have a stand mixer, use a wooden spoon and then your hands to work the ingredients into a dough.
  • Using a cookie scoop, form 1ยฝ-inch balls (about the size of a golf ball) and place on the baking sheet 1-inch apart.
  • Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes (this will help them hold their shape).
  • Preheat oven to 350ยฐF.
  • Bake for 22-25 minutes or until lightly browned on the bottom and sausage is cooked through.
  • Serve hot with the remoulade sauce and enjoy!

Notes

*No Cheddar Bay mix on hand? No worries! You can stick to the original Bisquick sausage balls recipe by simply swapping the cheddar biscuit mix for an equal amount of Bisquick.

Nutrition

Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 309mg | Potassium: 77mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 118IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 91mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.

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How to Make Sausage Balls Step by Step

Prep the baking sheets: Line baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.

All the ingredients to make sausage balls in a white bowl

Make the sausage ball mixture: In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, mix 1 lb. ground pork sausage, 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 2 cups Red Lobster cheddar bay biscuit mix, ยผ cup buttermilk and 1 scallion on low speed until evenly combined. If you donโ€™t have a stand mixer, use a wooden spoon and then your hands to work the ingredients into a dough.

Sausage balls on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Form the balls: Using a cookie scoop, form 1 ยฝ-inch balls (about the size of a golf ball) and place on the baking sheet 1-inch apart. Chill balls in the fridge for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven while the balls chill. Bake for 22-25 minutes, until lightly browned and fully cooked.

Bisquick sausage balls on a plate with a bowl of remoulade sauce

Serve: Serve immediately with the remoulade sauce. These are best enjoyed warm. If youโ€™re serving them for a buffet or potluck, you can keep them warm by using the โ€œwarmโ€ function on your crockpot.

How to Store

If you’re trying to reduce the day-of party prep as much as possible, you can easily make these sausage balls in advance. Prepare as usual, but once the balls are on the baking sheet, wrap them tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. You can do this up to 1 day in advance.

While these are best enjoyed fresh, you can store leftover sausage balls in the fridge for a few days. Reheat in the microwave or oven.

You can freeze these sausage balls before or after baking. I find that freezing the formed uncooked balls and baking after they thaw produces the best result. However, baked sausage cheddar balls can also be frozen. Flash freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to an airtight container for up to 3 months.

A hand holding a sausage cheddar ball in front of a bowl of remoulade sauce

What to Serve with Sausage Balls

My go-to sausage ball dip for this recipe is my homemade remoulade sauce recipe. It’s quick and easy to make and the flavors work so well with the Cheddar Bay mix.

That said, you can serve these sausage balls warm with nearly any dipping sauce you can think of. The best option for you will depend on what sausage you use. For a tomato flavored sauce this marinara sauce is a good option. For something fresh and tangy, a ranch dip is probably your best option.

More Party Appetizers:

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About Amy Flanigan

Well, hey there! Amy here, founder and COO at BellyFull. If youโ€™re looking for tried and true, fuss-free, budget-friendly, delicious, every day recipes, youโ€™ve come to the right place.

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6 Comments

  1. Tabatha J'Arrante says:

    Could you use turkey sausage for the sausage balls

    1. Amy@BellyFull says:

      I’ve never tried this recipe with anything other than pork sausage.

  2. Wendy Morgan says:

    5 stars
    These are so delicious!! Definitely making these again!!

  3. Sarah Hertzenberg says:

    5 stars
    I made these Thanksgiving morning and my husband and teenage boys devoured them. They are delicious! The sauce is the perfect level of spice for my family too. My boys keep requesting them.

  4. Sandi says:

    5 stars
    I love following u. I love Normal, simple and easy recipes. Good for you! Good to have you for me!

  5. Susi Barry says:

    5 stars
    Yummy yummy yummy! Add some chopped jalapeรฑo for an extra kick!