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Cheesy Sausage Balls

Cheesy Sausage Balls are the kind of comforting, bite-sized appetizer that disappears quickly from the table. They combine savory sausage, plenty of melted cheese, and a lightly seasoned dough into golden little bites with crisp edges and a tender, flavorful center. They are simple enough for a casual breakfast or brunch, yet delicious enough to serve at parties, holidays, game days, and family gatherings.

One of the best things about sausage balls is how easy they are to prepare. The ingredients are mixed together in one bowl, shaped into small balls, and baked until browned and cooked through. There is no complicated technique involved, making this a great recipe when you want something homemade without spending hours in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love These Cheesy Sausage Balls

These sausage balls have a wonderful combination of textures and flavors. The outside becomes lightly crisp and golden during baking, while the inside stays soft and cheesy. The sausage provides a rich, savory flavor, while the cheese adds creaminess and a satisfying melt.

They are also incredibly versatile. You can serve them warm straight from the oven, prepare them ahead of time, or customize the seasoning and cheese to suit your taste.

Ingredients

For the sausage balls, you will need:

1 pound ground breakfast sausage
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 ½ cups baking mix, such as Bisquick
¼ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2–3 tablespoons milk, as needed
A pinch of salt, if needed

The sausage and cheese already contain salt, so taste isn’t possible until the mixture is cooked. For that reason, it is better to start with little or no additional salt.

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it. The parchment makes cleanup easier and helps prevent the sausage balls from sticking.

Give the oven enough time to fully preheat before baking. A properly heated oven helps the sausage balls brown evenly while keeping the centers tender.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, add the baking mix, shredded cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and chopped parsley.

Use a fork or your hands to gently mix everything together until the seasonings and cheeses are distributed throughout the baking mix.

Using freshly shredded cheese is especially helpful because it melts more smoothly and blends into the mixture nicely.

Step 3: Add the Sausage

Add the ground sausage to the bowl.

Using clean hands, gently work the sausage into the cheese and baking mixture. Continue mixing until everything is evenly combined and there are no large pockets of dry baking mix remaining.

Try not to overwork the mixture. Mixing just until everything comes together helps prevent the sausage balls from becoming overly dense.