Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

These Southern Cream Cheese Sausage Balls are a tried-and-true favorite on appetizer tables across the South. Made with savory sausage and creamy cheese, these bite-sized morsels are perfect for holiday gatherings, game-day parties, and brunch spreads. Serve them warm with an assortment of dipping sauces, or add them to a breakfast platter for a hearty, crowd-pleasing start to the day. They’re the kind of easy, homemade goodness that keeps everyone coming back for just one more!

Easy Cream Cheese Sausage Balls Recipe

Sausage balls are a beloved Southern staple for appetizers and small bites, especially during the holiday season when family and friends gather around the table. They’re right at home on Christmas morning breakfast spreads, Thanksgiving appetizer trays, game days and New Year’s Eve party menus.

These savory bites are also a welcome addition to weekend brunch, bridal showers, potlucks, and game-day gatherings, super bowl or when you need something hearty and easy to serve. Pair them with an assortment of dipping sauces, arrange them on a platter alongside other finger foods, or tuck them into a breakfast buffet. No matter the occasion, these little bites of Southern comfort are the perfect party appetizer and always a crowd-pleaser!

Key ingredients to make Cream Cheese Sausage Balls with cheddar cheese: (Scroll down for full recipe card and quantities.)

• Breakfast Sausage – You can use hot sausage or mild pork sausage for this recipe depending on your personal taste.
• Cheese – Sharp cheddar cheese will give the most notable flavor.
• Cream Cheese – Chive and onion flavored cream cheese expands the flavor profile.
• Mustard – Dijon mustard or spicy brown mustard complements the pork sausage without dominating.
• Seasoning – Granulated garlic or garlic powder.
• Biscuit Mix – You can use Bisquick or a private store brand of biscuit mix that you enjoy.

How to Make Cream Cheese Sausage Balls Recipe

• Mix Together – Use an electric mixer on low speed to mix together sausage, 2 1/4 cups Bisquick, shredded cheese, cream cheese, Dijon mustard and granulated garlic until fully combined. (A dough hook works best.)
• Refrigerate – Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes.
• Divide the Sausage Mixture – Use a meatball scoop to divide the meat mixture rolling into 1-inch balls. Arrange on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
• Oven – Bake per the recipe in a preheated oven until lightly golden brown.
• Serve – You can serve these with honey mustard, sweet hot mustard, bbq sauce, ranch dressing or maple syrup on the side for dipping.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Southern Sausage Balls

• Large bowl.
• Electric mixer. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment. A mixer makes light work of blending the sausage mixture together, but you can mix the ingredients together by hand. When using a mixer on low speed use the paddle attachment or the dough hook. If you mix by hand patience is key, but it will come together.
• Meatball scoop or small cookie scoop.
• Cheese grater.
• Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
• Large baking sheets and wire rack.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• What is Biscuit Mix? It’s a convenience item for making biscuits and pancakes found on the baking aisle of most grocery stores and supermarkets. There are many brands, and you may already have a particular one that you enjoy. If so, it’s perfectly fine to use that product. I used Bisquick for this recipe. Please note, this is not interchangeable with all purpose flour or self-rising flour.
• Protein – You can use use mild sausage, sage seasoned sausage or spicy pork sausage for these sausage balls. You could also adapt using turkey sausage.
• Use a Quality Sausage – Since sausage is the star of these sausage balls I highly recommend using one that’s not terribly greasy. I use Jimmy Dean with consistently good results.
• Cream Cheese – You could substitute one 8 ounce block of plain cream cheese and one teaspoon of onion powder in place of chive and onion cream cheese. The chive and onion flavored cream cheese expands the flavor profile overall.
• Cheese – Sharp cheddar cheese will give the best flavor. If you prefer, you can use the same amount of mild cheddar cheese or medium cheddar cheese, colby jack cheese or pepper jack cheese for spice.
• Chill the Sausage Mixture to Firm – After making the sausage ball mixture, it’s important to chill it in the fridge so the cream cheese will firm. This prevents them from spreading too much while baking. The flavor would be the same, but the shape would be flatter and similar to a cookie, if the mixture isn’t firm.
• When to Serve Bisquick Sausage Balls – You can serve these for Christmas gatherings, Thanksgiving, game day snacks and tailgating, potluck parties, breakfast, brunch or entertaining.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers – Store baked Sausage Balls in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating – Reheat in the microwave, in a preheated 350°F oven on a sheet pan or in air fryer just until heated through.
• Freezer – You can bake the Sausage Balls, cool completely and package in freezer bags. Store baked Sausage Balls frozen for up to 3 months.
• Reheating from Frozen – Bake from frozen in a preheated 350°F oven on a sheet pan for 10-15 minutes just until heated through.

More Easy Appetizer Recipes to Make

• Shredded Zucchini Fritters made on the stovetop.
• These loaded Tachos are a crowd pleaser!
• Serve these crispy Coconut Shrimp with cocktail sauce or Asian chile sauce for dipping.
• Easy Corn Salsa for dipping with tortilla chips or on top of salads, tacos and more.
• Make Potato Skins and watch them go.
• This BLT Dip is great for holiday gatherings, picnics and game day snacking.
• Jalapeno Popper Puffs made with crescent rolls.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Sheet Pans
• Small Scoop
• Cheese Grater
• Mixing Bowls