Sausage balls are a blast from my past. I think I learned how to make them in Home Economics class in high school. Of course, making them back then, I used Bisquick baking mix. It seemed most recipes started with Bisquick. Living in Canada it is not quite as ubiquitous as it is in the South and I prefer to make things from scratch when I can. So I figured out a recipe that would make sausage balls without Bisquick.
I have been looking for things I can pack in Evan’s lunch that he will eat and that have protein in them. As the school year draws to a close, he has gotten progressively pickier. It is driving me NUTS! After he determined that he was friends OFF with pita chips and hummus (our last available lunch option), I decided to pull out the big guns.
What is a big gun, you ask?

Why Jimmy Dean of course! An explanation….for my Alabama friends….we can’t get Jimmy Dean here in Canada. For my Canadian friends, this is the BEST breakfast sausage EVER. Dewey went to Montana once and bought me $75 worth of sausage. He is my favorite but now it is all gone. Sob. Now, if you don’t have Jimmy Dean, do not fear. You can still make sausage balls. They just won’t be as good. Sorry.
Anyway….back to the post. These are perfect for lunches, snacks, parties, any time. Yep, they are THAT good. One other thing….they freeze beautifully. Make a big batch, freeze them in a big Ziploc and thaw a few in the microwave as you need them. Unfortunately, they will disappear faster than you would hope.
Sausage Balls without Bisquick

Ingredients
2 cups all purpose flour
3 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp seasoning salt
1/4 tsp granulated garlic
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried parsley
3 cups shredded old cheddar
1/2 cup shredded parmesan
1 pound pork sausage, uncooked
1/4 – 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl until mixed (using your hands works best).

Roll tablespoonfuls into balls with your hands and place on the lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes until golden brown. Serve immediately or store in an air tight container.

Sausage Balls without Bisquick
Love sausage balls but hate using a mix? Well here is a recipe for delicious sausage and cheese balls from scratch! A southern favorite!
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 3 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp seasoning salt
- 1/4 tsp granulated garlic
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 3 cups shredded old cheddar
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan
- 1 pound pork sausage, uncooked
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl until mixed (using your hands works best).
- Roll tablespoonfuls into balls with your hands and place on the lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 - 25 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve immediately or store in an air tight container.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
30Amount Per Serving: Calories: 129Saturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 270mgCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 6g
Don’t forget to Pin for Later!

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Meggin
Thursday 27th of February 2020
You dont cook up the sausage before making the balls? You mix it in raw?
Merry Kuchle
Thursday 27th of February 2020
Yep! Mix it in raw!
Cynthia Camp
Monday 24th of December 2018
Jimmy Dean has always been my preferred sausage, too. These sausage balls turned out very good. For me they were a little salty. I would leave out or reduce the seaon salt next time. Thanks for the from scratch recipe!
Merry Kuchle
Wednesday 26th of December 2018
Glad you enjoyed them! Salt is such a personal thing, it is hard to judge what people will like. Definitely adjust to your taste.
Liz Ross
Saturday 5th of December 2015
Do you think these would be good made from hot italian sausage?
Merry Kuchle
Saturday 5th of December 2015
I do! I think any sausage would work as long as it wasn't super low fat.
Natasha in Oz
Thursday 19th of June 2014
That looks really great-I've shared this on Pinterest. I wish we had that product here in Australia!
Thanks so much for linking up to the Say G'day Saturday linky party. Hope you can join us again this weekend!
Best wishes, Natasha in Oz