Pioneer Woman Sausage Balls

These Sausage Balls from Pioneer Woman just require four ingredients, making them the simplest recipe ever. This recipe for traditional Southern sausage balls is surprisingly tasty and is always a hit. It is simple to make and always results in perfectly moist (not dry!) sausage balls, no matter how many times you make them.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Sausage Balls Recipe:

To begin, there are just 4 components needed. Getting the ingredients for this dish is simple, and you can get everything you need quite some time in advance if you want to have it on hand.
Even freezing them for long-term storage is an option with them.
There won’t be any cream cheese because it can lead to the sausage balls having a flatter appearance. And not an excessive amount of Bisquick, since this will cause the sausage balls to turn out dry (I have seen recipes calling for 3 cups which is way too much).
If you carefully follow my instructions and recommendations, you will always end up with sausage balls that are tasty and well-formed.

What Are Pioneer Woman Sausage Balls?

These Pioneer woman sausage balls are without a doubt one of the best appetizers I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating. They are packed to the brim with flavor, and the rosemary is such a lovely touch that truly takes it to the next level of sophistication. To tell you the truth, I believe that it is the component that brings this dish full circle.

In case you’ve never tried them before, sausage balls have a flavor that’s similar to the combination of sausage and biscuits resulting in the most fantastic invention. Then there are those melted cheese moments, and I don’t know about you, but I firmly believe that melted cheese makes just about everything better. I’m not sure whether you feel the same way.

What Kind Of Sausage To Use For Sausage Balls?

You may use either sweet or spicy ground pig sausage for sausage balls, but you can also use chicken or turkey sausage. Ground pork sausage is our go-to sausage for sausage balls. If you enjoy things on the spicy side, chorizo is a good option. Just make sure that it is the sort that you buy uncooked, and if it comes in links, separate the sausages from their casings before cooking them. In this particular recipe, pre-cooked sausage links are not an option.

Can I Change Up The Cheese?

Always! We adore cheddar since it appeals to a wide variety of people, but we think that adding some grated Parmesan and mixing it in will make them even more interesting. However, the vast majority of the cheeses that you enjoy eating are probably going to be successful: gruyere, pepper jack, mozzarella, the list goes on and on.

What Ingredients To Make Pioneer Woman Sausage Balls?

Sausage: Made From Ground Pig You are free to use any ground pork sausage you choose. My go-to brand of sausage is Jimmy Dean, but I also enjoy the Italian, spicy, and even maple varieties.
Baking Mix: Although Bisquick is my go-to baking mix for this recipe, I’ve heard that other types of biscuit mixes have been used well by other people. The Red Lobster Mix and the Jiffy Cornbread Mix are the ones that I’m most curious in trying out of all of them. You may also make your Bisquick mix by putting two cups of flour, one tablespoon of baking powder, one teaspoon of salt, and one-third of a cup of vegetable shortening into a food processor and pulsing it until it’s combined.
Seasonings: Even though the sausage is already seasoned, elevating the dish by using some dried herbs is the best way to take it to the next level. My favorite additions are dried rosemary, paprika, and Italian spice. I also like to use paprika. The inclusion of the dried rosemary makes for a really tasty combination, and it is that combination that makes this my go-to recipe for sausage balls.
Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese is fantastic for melting and provides a wonderful taste to any dish. It’s my go-to cheese for this dish since it goes so great with all of my favorite fresh herbs. I hope you enjoy it. If you want it to seem less like Christmas and more like party food, pepper jack cheese is another fantastic alternative to consider using in place of the dried rosemary. This will help give the dish a less festive flavor overall. It is imperative to use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded cheese since the anti-caking chemicals in pre-shredded cheese might prevent the balls from sticking together.
Milk: Including some milk in the recipe not only prevents the balls from becoming overly dry during the baking process but also improves their ability to stay cohesively combined.

How To Make Pioneer Woman Sausage Balls?

Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper and preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176 degrees Celsius).
Put the meat, Bisquick, and seasonings into a large mixing bowl. Mix well. Combine thoroughly.
After adding the milk, continue mixing until everything is well incorporated. Using a stand mixer is the most effective method for combining the ingredients for these sausage balls.
Mix in a third of the cheese and set aside. Then include the remainder while continuing to mix until a paste-like consistency is achieved.
Form into balls about the size of golf balls and place them on the baking sheet that has been prepared.
Bake in an oven that has been prepared for 18 to 20 minutes to complete the cooking process.
When the sausage balls have finished baking, an instant-read meat thermometer should show an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit and they should have a golden brown appearance.
After removing the baking sheet from the oven with care, wait a few minutes for the balls to cool down before serving them.

Recipe Tips

It is quite simple to overcook sausage balls, which can cause them to become dry if you do it; thus, resist the urge to overcook them. If you are unsure, use a thermometer with an immediate readout and make sure the interior temperature is at least 68 degrees Celsius (155 degrees Fahrenheit).
By beginning the mixing process with the sausage at room temperature, the process can be sped up.
When calculating how much Bisquick you need, use the same measurements as you would for flour. That is, be conservative with your measurements and avoid packing the ingredients.

How To Use Sausage Balls Leftover?

Here is a small list to show you how to use leftover Sausage Balls:

Pasta Sausage Balls
Sausage Stuffing Balls In Crescent Roll Dough
Sausage Balls And Eggs Breakfast Scramble
Sausage Balls casserole

How Do You Tell If Pioneer Woman Sausage Balls Are Cooked?

The sausage balls should be brown and softly sizzling after 15 minutes of cooking. To determine whether the sausage is cooked through, cut open a sausage ball and make sure the meat within is no longer pink. You might also check the interior temperature using an instant-read thermometer, which should register 155 degrees Fahrenheit (68 degrees Celsius).

Why Are My Pioneer Woman Sausage Balls Dry?

If you overcook the sausage balls or add an excessive amount of Bisquick, you will end up with dry sausage balls. To get an accurate measurement of Bisquick, simply spoon it into the measuring cup and do not pack it (same as if measuring flour). Cooking for only 15 minutes will prevent food from being overdone. If you are unsure whether the food is done, use a thermometer to check for an interior temperature of 155 degrees Fahrenheit. When I questioned whether or not they were finished and then cooked them for a little bit longer, they turned out to be overdone every time.

What To Serve With Pioneer Woman Sausage Balls?

The variety of dipping sauces that may be used with Pioneer Woman sausage balls brings forth their full flavor potential. Always, I will offer them a variety of sauces on the side. The Burrito Sauce, this recipe for the spicy ranch, and this McDonald’s Breakfast Sauce Recipe are some of my favorites in this category. If you’re having them for breakfast, you can even top them with maple syrup if you want to go fancy.

How Do You Keep The Pioneer Woman Sausage Balls Warm?

Putting them in your slow cooker and selecting the “keep warm” setting is the simplest approach to maintaining a warm temperature for them. It is not advisable to keep them in the slow cooker on either low or high heat settings since the additional heat will cause them to become dry.

How Do You Keep Sausage Balls From Falling Apart?

Shred your sharp cheddar. Because pre-shredded cheese is covered with cellulose to prevent it from caking, using it in sausage balls might be problematic because it prevents the balls from properly forming and adhering together.

How Long Does Leftover Pioneer Woman Sausage Balls Last In The Fridge?

Refrigerating cooked meatballs in shallow containers with airtight lids or securely wrapping them in heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap is the best way to ensure the highest level of food safety and quality for the longest period possible after they have been cooked. The cooked Sausage Balls can be kept in the refrigerator for up to four days if they are properly stored.

How To Freeze Leftover Pioneer Woman Sausage Balls?

Prepare your Pioneer Woman sausage balls by the directions provided, whether in the oven or the air fryer.
Let your Pioneer Woman Sausage Balls cool.
Transfer it to a container that can go in the freezer, and then freeze it for up to three months.
Then, reheat the frozen food in the microwave or place it in an aluminum foil-covered baking dish and place it in the oven until it is completely heated.

How To Reheat Pioneer Woman Sausage Balls?

In The Oven:

The Pioneer Woman Sausage Balls retain the aroma and flavor of freshly baked goods even after being reheated in the oven.
Raise the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and start preheating the oven.
After the sausage balls have been defrosted, arrange them on a baking sheet and place them in the oven for around ten minutes.

In The Microwave:

If you need to reheat many pieces at once, place a few Pioneer Woman Sausage Balls in a container that can go in the microwave and cover it with a paper napkin that has been gently dampened.
Warm the container for ten seconds, then use a fork or some tongs to roll the sausage balls in the heated container.
Give them another 10 seconds in the microwave.

FAQ Section

Why Won’t My Sausage Balls Stick Together?

There are several potential causes for sausage balls that do not adhere to one another.
The amount of baking mix to the sausage that should be used; if there is an excess of baking mix, the balls will not hold together well.
The absence of milk is what truly helps to bind the ingredients together and makes it simple to roll them into balls that keep their shape.
This may be because you used pre-shredded cheese; this type of cheese comes covered in an anti-caking chemical, which prevents the balls from properly sticking together.

What Can I Substitute For Bisquick Baking Mix?

Bisquick is a baking and biscuit mix that may be used for a variety of purposes. Make your homemade Bisquick mix if you are unable to obtain it or would rather not purchase it. Simply combine 2 cups of flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt by whisking them together. After that, use a pastry blender to incorporate two tablespoons of vegetable shortening. Now that you’ve finished this step, you may go on to the next one in the recipe.

Why Are My Sausage Balls Dry?

The proportion of fat to lean meat in pig sausage might vary somewhat from brand to brand. It’s possible that the amount of milk you use has to be tweaked ever-so-slightly in either direction. You want the baking ingredients to be evenly distributed throughout the batter. I’ve found that adding onions and garlic that have been finely minced helps to keep the sausage balls wet, and that cooking them just until they are done yields the greatest results.

Sausage Balls Nutrition Facts

Amount Per Serving

Calories 53
Total Fat 3.6g
Saturated Fat 1.4g
Cholesterol 8.9mg
Sodium 127mg
Total Carbohydrate 3g
Dietary Fiber 0.1g
Sugars 0.6g
Protein 2.3g
Vitamin A 1%
Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 4%
Iron 1%

Nutrition Facts Source: Source