The best Southern sausage balls are cheesy, delicious, and make-ahead and freezer friendly! They are full of flavor, always a crowd-[leaser, and absolutely perfect to keep on hand during the holidays! 

A Simple Crowd-Pleaser

While I can appreciate a meal that took long hours in the kitchen, lots of prep, and complicated instructions, there is just something about simple recipes that keep me coming back time and time again. Not only are they time-savers, but I have found that simple recipes are usually the ones my family loves the most, and the ones I make over and over again! These sausage cheese balls are one of those recipes. They are such a comfort food, and they are fabulous enjoyed any time of day or year! Not to mention they only require four ingredients!

           A Southern Tradition

Who doesn’t love a savory, cheesy, spicy sausage ball? If you are from the South, you almost certainly do. We Southerners love our biscuits; we love our sausage; we love cheese. What better way to enjoy all three faves than in Betty Crocker’s famous creation~Sausage Cheese Balls?!

Perfect For The Holidays

Christmas and Thanksgiving parties are the perfect time to break out these sausage balls! They are a great party food because they are easy to eat and pick up. I love to keep my freezer stocked with these sausage balls to pull out for parties and gatherings from October-December! 

A Tasty Tailgating Treat

While these sausage balls are delicious any time of the year, I absolutely LOVE to bring them to football tailgates. Kids and adults alike will love them. They travel well, are a true crowd-pleaser, and they do not have to be reheated. Plus, they go well with all types of tailgating food- from chili to BBQ to burgers! A true win-win!

Are Sausage Balls Dry?

If you are worried that the lack of liquid or butter might leave you with dry, crumbly sausage balls, fear not! As long as the ratio of sausage to dry ingredients is right you do not have to worry about them being too dry. The fat in the sausage and cheese eliminates the need for butter or any other cooking oil to keep these sausage balls delicious. To make them even moister, simply add a little more sausage or cheese to the batter.

The Traditional Recipe for Sausage Cheese Balls

A google search will yield myriad sausage cheese ball recipes, but the one that is probably the oldest, most traditional (and easiest) is the one below. Where did the recipe originate? It would be difficult, if not impossible, to know. This sausage ball recipe is a super slight adaptation of the Betty Crocker recipe, and the one most of us grew up enjoying.

What Ingredients Are In This Recipe? 

With only four ingredients and minimal prep time, you can have a delicious, cozy, hearty snack or appetizer! To make these sausage balls, you only need Bisquick mix, breakfast sausage, cheddar cheese, and milk! If you want to, you can include Parmesan cheese or add other herbs and seasonings like cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or chives. 

How Do I Make Sausage Balls? 

To start, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix together your cheeses, seasoning, and biscuit mix. Add in your raw sausage and break it apart with gloved hands. Of course you can make these in a stand mixer if you don’t like to get your hands dirty, but I find using gloves makes the process faster!  Combine this well, and slowly add your milk. When your mixture is fully combined, you can shape your sausage balls into bite sized portions- around 1-inch balls. I love to use a cookie dough scoop for this! Put the sausage balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet. If you ‘d like to make these ahead, you can cover the uncooked sausage balls and store them in the fridge for up to two days. To bake them, slide your cookie sheet into a preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees. 

What Sausage Is Best For This Recipe?

Because the fat in the sausage acts as an adhesive in this recipe, it is best to use ground pork sausage which has a higher fat content than chicken or turkey sausage. Breakfast sausage (the kind in the plastic tube) is the kind of pork sausage that should be used in this recipe. A pound = two tubes of sausage. While I think hot breakfast sausage tastes best, you can choose your own spice level! I love to use Jimmy Dean sausage, but feel free to use whatever kind you and your family like the best! 

What Cheese Is Best In Sausage Cheese Balls?

Cheddar is the traditional “main cheese” used for sausage cheese balls, (and the sharper the better)! Although it is easy to grab shredded cheddar in the dairy aisle, the BEST results will come from a block of sharp or extra sharp cheddar cheese that you grate or shred yourself. Parmesan cheese is the “accessory cheese” for this recipe, but pepper jack cheese would be delicious as well! Always use fresh~never the green can:-)

Can You Freeze Sausage Cheese Balls?

You can absolutely freeze sausage cheese balls, and I highly recommend it! Simply make them to the point of shaping them into balls, but arrange them (uncooked) on a baking sheet (see photo below). Freeze for at least an hour~long enough to harden and “flash freeze” so that they won’t stick together. Place in a freezer bag and put in an airtight container. 

How Do You Cook Sausage Cheese Balls From Frozen?

Sausage cheese balls cook the same from frozen as they do unfrozen. Heat the oven to 350 F. Place sausage cheese balls on a lined baking sheet; bake until cooked completely through (usually 30 minutes).

Tips for Making The Best Sausage Cheese Balls

While these sausage balls are already so simple to make, I use a few kitchen tools to make them even more of a breeze! Below are my favorite kitchen tools and tips for making Sausage Cheese Balls:

• Oxo Medium Cookie Scoop. This size (or the small) is perfect for shaping balls before flash freezing. I love it for shaping cookie dough also.
• Commercial Baker’s Big Sheet. I use this baking sheet almost daily for roasting veggies. For this recipe, I use it for flash freezing the sausage balls and later for baking them.
• Digital Instant Read Thermometer. I use this every time I cook any meat that needs to reach an internal temp for safety.

How Should I Serve Sausage Cheese Balls?

These sausage cheese balls are just perfect on their own, but you can also serve them alongside fruit or eggs for a more balanced breakfast. Additionally, they are delicious when served with your favorite dipping sauce, from ranch to BBQ sauce. They make the perfect appetizer on their own or when served as a delicious addition to a charcuterie board. You really cannot go wrong when serving these!

Watch Me Make Sausage Cheese Balls

 

If you like this recipe, be sure to check out my Best and Easiest Southern Sausage Gravy For Biscuits or my Palmetto Cheese Drop Biscuits for more Southern favorites!

If you try this Southern classic, please let me know in the comments below! As always, thanks so much for stopping by. Be blessed, and stay savvy!!!