This Cream Cheese Sausage Balls recipe is the perfect crowd-pleaser! They’re made with hot sausage, sharp cheddar cheese, and a creamy mustard dip. These easy appetizers are great for game day, holiday parties, or even Christmas morning breakfast.
Table of Contents
Sausage Balls: The Ultimate Crowd-Pleaser for Any Occasion!
Hi folks,
These cream cheese sausage balls are flavorful and have the perfect tender texture. Whether prepping for holiday parties, hosting a game day gathering, or whipping up a savory breakfast for Christmas morning, these sausage balls are a must-try.
Serve them warm with a tangy honey mustard dipping sauce (recipe in the recipe card below), ranch dressing, or BBQ sauce. They’re also great for breakfast. I love having them with hashbrowns, toast, and grilled tomatoes.
What You’ll Love About This Recipe:
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Prep and freeze for a quick, no-fuss option later!
- Packed with Flavor: The combination of hot sausage, sharp cheddar cheese, and a hint of onion powder ensures every bite is irresistible.
- Easy to Make: A food processor or stand mixer makes mixing the sausage mixture quick and effortless.
Ingredients and Estimated Cost
Per Serving Cost: $0.43
Recipe Cost: $9.67
- 2 ¼ all-purpose flour – $0.30
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder – $0.05
- ½ teaspoon salt – $0.01
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper – $0.05
- 4 Tablespoons salted butter – $0.35
- 1 pound hot pork sausage – $4.50
- 6 oz cream cheese – $1.00
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese – $1.50
- ⅓ cup milk – $0.15
- 1 cup sour cream – $1.20
- ¼ cup Dijon mustard – $0.50
- ¼ teaspoon salt – $0.01
NOTE: Recipe costs are based on grocery store prices and the specific amounts used. Actual costs may vary depending on your pantry staples. Ingredient prices updated December 2024.
Essential Equipment:
- Food processor or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Rimmed baking sheets
- Parchment paper, foil, or silicone baking mats
- Cookie scoop
- Mixing bowl
- Spatula
- Whisk
- Mixing bowl
How To Make Sausage Balls
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prep the Pan
Move the oven rack to the middle position and preheat to 400°F. Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment paper or foil.
Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
In a food processor, combine:
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
Pulse for 3 seconds until evenly combined.
Step 3: Incorporate Butter
Add the butter cubes to the dry mixture. Pulse until it resembles coarse crumbs.
Step 4: Make the Sausage Mixture
Add:
- Hot pork sausage
- Cream cheese
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Milk
Pulse 6-8 times until just combined. Be careful not to over-mix, as this can affect the texture.
Step 5: Shape the Sausage Balls
Use a cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons) to portion the dough. Roll into 1-inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 1 ½ inches apart.
Step 6: Bake
Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through. The sausage balls should be golden brown and cooked through.
Step 7: Make the Mustard Dipping Sauce
While the sausage balls bake, mix the following in a small bowl:
- Sour cream
- Dijon mustard
- Salt
Chill the sauce in the fridge until ready to serve.
Step 8: Serve
Let the sausage balls cool slightly, then transfer to a serving platter. Serve warm with the dipping sauce.
Cream Cheese Sausage Balls Recipe Variations
Cheese Options: Substitute sharp cheddar with pepper jack, Colby jack, or a mix for a spicier kick.
Milder Sausage: Use regular pork or breakfast sausage for a milder flavor.
Dips: Pair with BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, or your favorite dip.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, but ensure the butter is fully incorporated into the dry ingredients before adding the rest of the mixture.
After baking the sausage balls for about 18 minutes, check on them. Once the tops are slightly browned, then you know your job is done, and they are done cooking!
Yes, prepare the sausage mixture, roll into balls, and freeze. Bake directly from frozen, adding an extra 5 minutes to the cook time.
Be careful not to over-mix the dough and monitor closely while baking. Pull them out as soon as they turn golden brown.
More Delicious Appetizers
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
- Buffalo Chicken Tenders (Air Fryer Recipe)
- How To Make Homemade Buffalo Sauce
- Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing
- Easy Mexican Spinach Dip
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Cream Cheese Sausage Balls
Equipment
- Food processor or stand mixer
- measuring cups and spoons
- rimmed baking sheets
- Parchment paper, foil, or silicone baking mats
- Cookie scoop
- mixing bowl
- spatula
- whisk
- mixing bowl
Ingredients
FOR SAUSAGE BALLS:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 Tablespoons butter cut into 12 small cubes
- 1 lb hot pork sausage
- 6 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ⅓ cup milk
FOR THE MUSTARD DIPPING SAUCE:
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¼ cup dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
MAKE SAUSAGE BALLS:
- Move oven rack to the middle position and preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with foil or parchment paper; set aside.
- Place flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper in a food processor and pulse for 3 seconds, or until combined.
- Sprinkle butter pieces over flour and pulse for 10 seconds or until the mixture looks like a coarse meal.
- Add sausage, cream cheese, cheddar, and milk.
- Pulse for 6-8 pulses, or until combined (make sure you don’t over-mix or else the sausage balls will be tough when cooked).
- Use a 2-tablespoon scoop to scoop the sausage mixture. Roll mixture into a ball and then place it on the prepared baking sheets, spacing balls 1 ½ inches apart. Repeat with remaining sausage mixture.
- Bake for 18-20 minute, rotating pans halfway through baking, or until golden brown. Let the sausage balls cool slightly before serving.
FOR MUSTARD DIPPING SAUCE:
- While the sausage balls bake, make the sauce. Mix all of the ingredients together in a small bowl. Chill until you’re ready to use.
SERVE:
- Serve the sausage balls warm with mustard dipping sauce.
Notes
Storage Tips
- Fridge: Store leftover sausage balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Place uncooked sausage balls on a tray, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. Cook from frozen or thaw in the fridge overnight.
- Reheating: Warm leftovers in the microwave or a preheated oven at 350°F until heated through.
Nutrition
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Can I make these using ground sausage instead of links! They looks so much better than the Bisquick sausage balls.
Thanks!
Hi Jane, you absolutely can use ground sausage.
These would be great for brunch!
These look easy enough and two of my faves mingled together. Yummo!!
Nice new take on Sausage Balls.
These look so good and easy enough that I can do it.
Yummy! I could eat these right now!
Theese look so good I will make some as snacks for family night .
Thanks for replying!
My boys devoured Almost all of these before the party even started!! So good!
These sound very flavorful and love the dipping sauce that goes with them. A perfect bite.
Jillian, this is genius! So simple, and I simply portion the meatball with cookie scoop. They are done in a jiffy and, well, gone in a jiffy too. 😀
Being able to entertain a group of people with these AND serve them for brunch the next day makes this recipe an absolute must to have on hand! Great tip on keeping the balls in airtight containers – very helpful.
This would be such a fun game day appetizer! Can’t wait to try it this bowl season!
Can you even have a holiday party without sausage balls? I don’t think so! These are super yummy!
You just can never go wrong with sausage and cream cheese. Please pass me a meatball!
These sound absolutely delicios and would love to make these but our grocery stores up here do not carry Farmer John sausage, but we do have Hillshire Farms or Bob Evans. I also don’t own a food processor so would have to mix everything by hand. Would that be okay?
Hi Lisa, yes, those product swaps will work. Also, hand mixing with be okay as well.