Easy & Cheesy 3 Ingredient Sausage Balls Recipe

Freshly baked sausage balls with crispy golden edges and a soft cheesy center—perfect for parties, holidays, or an easy crowd-pleasing appetizer.

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If you’ve ever had dry, crumbly sausage balls, you already know—there’s a right way to make them.

This is that recipe.

These sausage balls come out:

• soft on the inside

• golden and slightly crisp on the outside

• packed with real cheddar flavor

…and they disappear fast. Every time.

Whether you’re making a quick appetizer, prepping for a holiday spread, or just need something easy that people actually eat—this is one of those recipes you keep coming back to.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground sausage (mild or hot)

• 2 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 cup baking mix (like Bisquick)

How to Make Sausage Balls

1. Preheat oven to 375°F

2. In a large bowl, combine sausage, cheese, and baking mix

3. Mix until fully incorporated (hands work best here)

4. Roll into 1-inch balls

5. Place on a lined baking sheet

6. Bake for 18–22 minutes, until golden brown

Pro Tips

• Fresh shredded cheese > pre-shredded
  (better melt, better texture)

• Don’t overbake
  → This is the #1 reason sausage balls turn dry

• If mixture feels too dry
  → Add 1–2 tbsp milk or a little cream cheese

Make-Ahead + Storage

• Make ahead: refrigerate uncooked balls up to 24 hours

• Freeze: freeze raw or cooked up to 2 months

• Reheat: 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes

Variations

• Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
  Add 4 oz softened cream cheese → ultra soft texture

• Spicy Jalapeño
  Add finely diced jalapeños

• Garlic Herb
  Add garlic powder + dried parsley

When to Serve These

These perform best for:

• holiday appetizers

• game day food

• potlucks

• “what do I bring?” situations- solved

FAQ

Can I make sausage balls without Bisquick?
Yes—use a mix of flour, baking powder, and salt as a substitute.

Why are my sausage balls dry?
Usually overbaking or not enough fat/moisture balance.

Can I freeze sausage balls?
Yes—both before and after baking.

About KC Coler

Hi, I’m KC Coler, the founder and recipe developer behind Saucy Spoon Co. I’m a mom of four with 15 years of restaurant industry experience and more than 16 years of cooking for my own family. I develop and test every original recipe in my North Carolina home kitchen using ordinary grocery store ingredients, realistic budgets, and honest family feedback. My goal is simple: food that works on a real Tuesday night and still tastes worth making again.

More about KC →