Cream Cheese Sausage Balls – this recipe will change the way you make sausage balls forever! Seriously THE BEST sausage balls EVER!
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Pin This RecipeThese are the BEST Sausage Balls!
Sausage balls are a classic tailgating treat. It doesn’t matter what time the game is, sausage balls are always welcomed at the tailgate! We’ve tried lots of different recipes over the years and finally found our “go-to” recipe.
These are by far the best sausage balls we’ve ever made. What makes these sausage balls so good? Well, the secret ingredient is cream cheese. The cream cheese keeps the sausage balls very moist and tender. We used hot sausage to give the sausage balls a little kick, but regular sausage would work well too. Bring these to your next tailgate party – you won’t be sorry!
What is Bisquick?
Bisquick is a pre-made baking mix sold by Betty Crocker. It is made with flour, shortening, salt, sugar, and baking powder.
If you don’t have access to a box of Bisquick baking mix, you can make a quick homemade Bisquick mix.
In a food processor pulse 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 1⁄2 teaspoons of baking powder, 1⁄2 teaspoon of salt, and 2 1⁄2 tablespoons Crisco shortening. If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a pastry cutter to cut the shortening into the flour mixture.
How to Make Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
These sausage balls are super easy to make with only 4 simple ingredients. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine pork sausage, Bisquick, and shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Use a cookie scoop, scoop the sausage mixture into balls, and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown. Garnish with parsley and serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
- If you don’t have a stand mixer, you can mix the sausage mixture in a large mixing bowl by hand.
- I use Jimmy Dean hot sausage. Can use turkey sausage for a lower-calorie option.
- The sausage mixture is sticky. Resist the urge to add more biscuit mix.
- Use a cookie scoop to scoop the sausage mixture into 1-inch balls.
- You can use any cheese that you prefer. Shredded sharp cheddar cheese or pepper jack cheese are both delicious.
- Use gluten-free Bisquick for a gluten-free snack.
- Can Sausage Balls be made in advance? Yes! You can form the sausage mixture into balls and place in the fridge until ready to bake.
- Can Sausage Balls be frozen? Yes. Form the sausage mixture into balls and place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze. Transfer the frozen uncooked sausage balls to a freezer bag.
- When ready to bake the sausage balls, place the frozen balls on a baking sheet and bake as directed adding a few minutes to the cooking time.
- There is no need to thaw the balls before baking.
What to Serve with Bisquick Sausage Balls
These sausage balls have quickly become a favorite at our house. They taste great hot out of the oven or at room temperature. I love to whip up a batch for game day, holiday parties, and breakfast. These are great dipped into some jalapeno ranch dressing, honey mustard, or BBQ sauce. Whip up a batch ASAP!
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Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
Equipment:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb hot sausage, uncooked
- 1 (8-oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1¼ cups Bisquick
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400ºF.
- Mix all ingredients until well combined. (I use my KitchenAid mixer with the dough hook attachment)
- Roll into 1-inch balls and place on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Bake for 18 – 22 minutes, or until brown.
Notes:
Steph
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Can these be kept warm in the crock pot, or would they melt into a mess?
They would be just fine
I only have Jimmy Dean Regular, Country Mild, and Italian on hand at the moment! Stephanie, which one of these would you suggest I use? Will they taste alright without 'Hot' sausage??? Thank you!
I'd go Original Jimmy Dean – they taste fine without the HOT sausage. I make them with original all the time and they are still delicious.
Has anyone tried Jimmy Dean sausage in a kind other than hot?! I have country mild, Italian, and Jimmy Dean regular kind on hand! Wondering which one I should use… Thank you!
I would use regular Jimmy Dean, but any of those varieties will be just fine.
You should add that they have to be cooked on stoneware otherwise they burn on the bottom.
Mine don't burn on any pan.
I made these recently for some of my hubby's friends who do not eat pork and are gluten free. I used Isernio's Spicy Chicken Sausage and Gluten Free Bisquick and they loved them! They said they were moist and flavorful with a nice bit of spice. I thought they were good, as well. However, they are so much more flavorful using a spicy pork sausage. I'm glad the recipe is so versatile but, personally, we prefer it with pork sausage as written. I used a container of Whipped Cream Cheese and used an 8oz brick of Sharp White Cheddar because that's what I had. I will definitely be making these again! If you want a more mild flavor then chicken sausage will work. The cream cheese adds that extra little bit of flavor and moist, creamy consistency that I missed in other sausage ball recipes. Thanks for a great addition to my recipe box!
We received a pig for Christmas. I've never been a pork person so I had no ideas on what to make with all the pork. This recipe was found. Oh my word. We have feasted on so many of these sausage balls. Thank you for posting this recipe!
Anyone know how many sausage balls this makes??
I've been making these for years and not just for events. When I make a batch I freeze them in serving size freezer bags. Before heading to work I grab a bag to take with. They defrost before lunch comes around and a minute in the microwave to heat.. I have a wonderful hot lunch. I alter the recipe a little each time for variety. Adding a little green chili to some, mushrooms and a little teriyaki sauce to others, shredded mozzarella cheese and diced pepperoni and so forth. Mixing 1/2 and 1/2 ground turkey or ground pork for the ground beef makes them a little healthier and the taste is amazing.
Just made these using ground chicken – super yummy! Would be great also using ground turkey! They were hard to form into balls so I use a teaspoon and just plopped them onto my baking sheets. Not pretty but who cares when they taste so great? 🙂
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I'm excited about making these tom. for a Superbowl party. Are they supposed to be served hot? If I bake them in a large aluminium pan, should I grease or oil to avoid burning? Also, have many people been adding onion? snausage lovers unite!
I also use pioneer biscuit mix. I like it better than bisquick.
I make these all the time. I haven't tried it with the cream cheese. Can't wait to try it. When I make the original recipe I always add enough water to make it like a dough. I mix with a spoon. It makes them really moist. Sometimes I add a little melted butter and sometimes garlic powder. Yummy!! Think I'm gonna go fix these now.
Haven't made these yet, but I do love sausage balls. I've always mixed them with my hands. Never thought about using my Kitchen Aid. Thanks for sharing. : )
These were SO great! Thank you for the amazing recipe. We'll make these again for sure 🙂
I will be mixing by hand so is it okay to soften the cream cheese?
Yes – the cream cheese should be softened before mixing in the mixer or by hand.
It was a very good recipe but it was also very greasy. So next time I think I will use lean ground turkey instead of ground sausage since the grease is all absorbed into the mixture when cooked in the oven.