Sausage Balls

A holiday staple that has been a family favorite for years. This classic Sausage Balls recipe has been around for years, and never gets old. They make the perfect quick appetizer that uses just 4 ingredients. Simple to make and perfect to make ahead. Be sure to add this recipe to your holiday appetizer list.

My husband has been making this sausage ball recipe since he was a teenager. He adapted it from a recipe his mother used that calls for Bisquick. He didn't like the amount of Bisquick in the original recipe because it would make the sausage balls "spongy", so he reduced the amount of Bisquick to what he considers to be the perfect ratio of sausage to bread. I must admit, I really like his version, which is why I wanted to share this recipe with you.

Every so often my when my husband makes dinner, he will make up a pan of his sausage balls. Of course, I am always all for him making dinner. He likes to make a tray of sliced vegetables and green olives to go with the sausage balls. Sometimes, quick, fuss free dinners are perfect, even if it is just appetizers.

A while ago when my husband was making this recipe, he ran out of Bisquick, so naturally I scoured the internet for a homemade Bisquick recipe. And of course, I found one on My Baking Addiction's website. Thankfully it is extremely easy to whip together, in just 5 minutes, and keeps amazingly well in the refrigerator. Since then, we have been making a batch of homemade Bisquick to keep in the fridge. Any time I can make something from scratch and cut costs at the grocery store, I am all for it. Especially since this is the only recipe we use Bisquick for.

Check out these APPETIZER recipes

• Pimento Cheese
• Sausage Rolls
• Tex-Mex Dip
• Spicy Teriyaki Chicken Wings

Homemade Bisquick

Here is a quick recipe to make your own Bisquick. Use in any recipe that you would normally use store-bought Bisquick in. This recipe can easily be cut in half if needed.

Combine the following ingredients in the bowl of a food processor:

• 6 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons baking powder
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 cup vegetable shortening

Process until all of the shortening has been cut into the flour and the mixture is well combined. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

Ingredients Needed for Sausage Balls

• Breakfast sausage- like Jimmy Dean, or your favorite breakfast sausage. Spicy sausage can also be used.
• Shredded cheddar cheese- other cheese like colby jack and monterey jack cheese can also be used.
• Bisquick-or use the recipe above.
• Red pepper flakes- use more or less depending on how spicy you want the sausage balls to be. The amount in this recipe just adds a little kick.

vARIATIONS

Sausage balls can easily be customized by adding in other ingredients. Try adding in ingredients like

• green onions
• chives
• diced jalapeños
• monterey jack cheese
• colby jack cheese
• cayenne pepper powder
• chipotle powder
• place a pretzel stick in each one for and easy to grab appetizer

Helpful Tips:

Bring the sausage out of the refrigerator 30 minutes to 1 hour before making the sausage balls. Cold sausage makes it hard to mix together the ingredients with your hands.

Using a mixer can also make mixing the mixture together easier and save your hands from getting cold if you forget to set the sausage out. Just be careful to not over mix the mixture.

Do not line the baking sheet with parchment or foil. Allowing the sausage balls to cook directly on the baking sheet allows the cheese that melts out to create a crispy cheese skirt. If you know, you know!