3 ingredient Sausage Balls

This is a recipe that I started making in the 1970's — the original recipe called for Jimmy Dean sausage and then I'll let you imagine what they were called (add Jimmy Dean to the name and drop sausage). 

These days we just refer to them as Sausage Balls and much prefer to use the handmade sausage made by Zey's Grocery Store in Abilene.

Although these are great appetizers or snacks, I've also included them on a breakfast buffet. I made this batch for a K-State tailgate. Go CATS!

Sausage Balls  Makes 35 to 40 appetizers (using a 2-tablespoon capacity scoop)

12 oz. ground pork sausage (a lean blend; can be mild or hot depending on your taste preference) @ room temperature

10 oz. (2 1/2 cups) grated sharp Cheddar cheese @ room temperature

2 3/4 to 3 cups Baking Mix (homemade or a purchased mix such as Bisquick)

1. Preheat oven to 350° if you plan to bake the sausage balls immedi.
2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients (begin with 2 3/4 cup Baking Mix and add more only if needed) — use a mixer or your hands to knead all the ingredients together.
   
   
   
   
3. Shape mixture into small balls and place on a lightly greased or sprayed cookie sheet if planning to bake right away. Or, freeze — arrange on a parchment lined baking sheet w/ sides, quick freeze and then remove and place in a freezer storage bag for easy access to all or just a few of the balls.

   

   Shaped and ready to go in freezer for a "flash freeze" before placing them in freezer bag to remain in freezer until ready to bake.

4. Put in oven and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes until well browned.  To bake frozen sausage balls — remove the number you want; place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake as directed above except allow a little extra time since the sausage balls are frozen.
   

Recipe without photos . . .

Sausage Balls  Makes 35 to 40 appetizers (using a 2-tablespoon capacity scoop)

12 oz. ground pork sausage (a lean blend; can be mild or hot depending on your taste preference) @ room temperature

10 oz. (2 1/2 cups) grated sharp Cheddar cheese @ room temperature

2 3/4 to 3 cups Baking Mix (homemade or a purchased mix such as Bisquick)

1. Preheat oven to 350° if you plan to bake the sausage balls immedi.
2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients (begin with 2 3/4 cup Baking Mix and add more only if needed) — use a mixer or your hands to knead all the ingredients together.
3. Shape mixture into small balls and place on a lightly greased or sprayed cookie sheet if planning to bake right away. Or, freeze — arrange on a parchment lined baking sheet w/ sides, quick freeze and then remove and place in a freezer storage bag for easy access to all or just a few of the balls.
4. Put in oven and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes until well browned.  To bake frozen sausage balls — remove the number you want; place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake as directed above except allow a little extra time since the sausage balls are frozen.