These Southern sausage cheese balls are the little holiday snack so many of us grew up with. Just three ingredients, raw pork sausage, baking mix and sharp cheddar, mixed in one bowl, rolled and baked until golden. They are crispy on the outside, soft and cheesy inside, and they disappear fast on Christmas morning, at parties or on game day.
Prep: 15 min | Bake: 20 min | Makes: about 24 balls
Ingredients
- 1 lb raw pork breakfast sausage (regular or hot), room temperature
- 2 cups baking mix (like Bisquick)
- 4 cups (16 oz) sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, add the raw sausage, baking mix and shredded cheddar.
- Mix with your hands until everything is fully combined. It takes a few minutes, so keep going.
- Roll the mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls and set them on the sheet, about 1 inch apart.
- Bake 18 to 22 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through (160°F inside).
- Cool for 5 minutes and serve warm.
Tip
Shred the cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheese has a coating that makes the balls dry and crumbly.
Make Ahead
Roll the balls, freeze them on a tray, then store in a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding 5 to 8 minutes.
Enjoy your Southern 3-Ingredient Sausage Cheese Balls! Save this recipe and share it with someone who loves easy home cooking.
