Sausage Balls with Garlic Dip
If I were to bring an appetizer to a party, it would be these sausage balls with garlic dip. They are easy to make, full of flavor, and paired with the creamiest garlic dip. They also are a perfect breakfast or brunch item!
Quick Look: Sausage Balls with Garlic Dip
🍽️ Prep time: 10 minutes
⏲️ Total time: 31 minutes
🔪 Equipment needed: large mixing bowl, baking sheet
💡 Top tip: Grate your own cheese and use a fine shred. Don’t skip the dipping sauce. It truly elevates the dish!
You may have had similar sausage balls in the past. They are a popular recipe, and I love making them from scratch. It only adds a few extra ingredients, but it is worth it to me to use ingredients I trust and know the source of.
The most time-consuming part of this recipe is rolling the balls and grating the cheese – Yes, I absolutely recommend buying a block of cheese and grating it yourself. The prepackaged kind is coated with an anti-caking agent that will not allow the mixture to stick together as well.
Note from Lexi: Why this Recipe Works
The flavor combination of sausage, cheese, and Italian seasoning is truly delightful. Oh, and don’t forget that creamy dip. It pairs perfectly and amplifies the dish that much more. This recipe is so versatile. I’ve made them for Christmas morning, to bring to a holiday party, or for a brunch. They are perfect no matter what!
– Lexi with Our Slice of Home
Learn more about Lexi about the inspiration for this food blog!
Ingredients and substitutions
For the Creamy Garlic Dip: Sour cream, lemon juice, garlic cloves, salt and pepper.
How to make sausage balls without Bisquick
Step one: Preheat oven to 375 Fahrenheit and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and Italian seasoning. Mix well. Pour in shredded cheddar cheese and mix until it’s well coated.
Step two: Pour in sausage and mix together. I prefer to use my fingers to break apart all the sausage and cheese and coat it well with the flour mixture.
Step three: Roll into 1-inch balls and place on baking sheet. Bake for 18-21 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees and the sausage is no longer pink.
Step four: While they bake, place all ingredients in a bowl for the garlic cream sauce. Mix well together.
FAQ
When the pork is cooked and has reached an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Yes. You can mix everything, cover the bowl, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. Roll and bake when you are ready.
Add a bit more milk, 1 tablespoon at a time. Also, I highly recommend grating your own cheese, so they form into balls easier.
More popular appetizers
Need more inspiration to serve at your gathering or party?
- Sausage Wonton Cups (With Cream Cheese and Rotel)
- Turkey and Cheese Roll Ups
- Pigs in a Blanket with Dipping Sauces
- Homemade Chex Mix (Oven Baked and without Nuts)
- Cucumber and Cream Cheese Sandwich (Heart Shaped)
Equipment needed
- Baking sheet
- Large mixing bowl
How to store and reheat
Storage: Allow to cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat in the oven at 350 degrees for a few minutes or in the microwave. Give the dip a good stir once it’s been stored in the refrigerator.
Freezing: Allow the sausage balls to cool and place in a galloon freezer bag. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Variations
Spicy sausage balls: Use hot pork sausage and add a pinch of crushed red pepper or cayenne.
Herb and Garlic: Swap Italian seasoning for garlic powder and dried parsley.
Mix up the dipping sauce including this Creamy Sriracha Sauce or this Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce.
Tips for Success
Two things I highly recommend for success in this recipe:
1. Mix the filling thoroughly- I find it easiest to just use my fingers to ensure there is no large clumps of sausage or cheese.
2. Form equally sized balls so they bake evenly
If you made this recipe, I’d be so grateful if you left a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a quick comment sharing how it turned out. And if you haven’t already, follow along here:
– Lexi with Our Slice of Home
Sausage Balls with Garlic Dip
Equipment
Ingredients
Sausage Balls
- 16 ounces ground pork sausage
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 5 ounces milk
- 16 ounces sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated
- 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
Creamy Garlic Dip
- 1 ½ cups sour cream
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- pinch salt and pepper
Instructions
For the Sausage Balls
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, Italian seasoning, and salt. Whisk to combine.2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, 1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Add the shredded cheese and toss until the cheese is fully coated in the flour mixture.16 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
- Pour in milk and stir until just combined.5 ounces milk
- Add the ground pork sausage and mix until everything is well combined. Using your fingers is often the easiest method — this process can take a few minutes to break the sausage into small pieces and blend it thoroughly.16 ounces ground pork sausage
- Roll the mixture into 1 inch balls and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 18 to 21 minutes until the pork is cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
For the Creamy Garlic Dipping Sauce
- While the sausage balls bake, prepare the creamy garlic dipping sauce. In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream, milk, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.1 ½ cups sour cream, 2 tablespoons milk, pinch salt and pepper, 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- Using a garlic press, press the garlic. If you don’t have one, finely chop the garlic, then use the back of a spoon to crush it.2 garlic cloves
- Add to the sauce and stir until well combined.
- Store the dipping sauce in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
A family favorite!