Game Day Sausage Balls

I love sausage balls but for some reason only seem to make them during the holidays.  Well, I had a package of sausage that needed to be used and the first thing that came to mind were sausage balls.  Why not make them all year long and especially for game day.  Here is my quick and simple recipe with just one change.  I topped each with a small square of cheese.

1 lb. lean sausage (I use Jimmy Dean Hot)
1 cup Bisquick
2 cups finely shredded cheese (finely shredded blends better and you can use any flavor or blend)
Sliced cheese (I had some white American so that's what I used)

Preheat oven to 375.  Mix sausage, bisquick and shredded cheese blending well.  Roll into 11/2" balls and place on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper or place each in small muffin tins (I used my small muffin tin which is coated making it stick free.)  Cut each slice of cheese into 9 even squares and place on on top of each ball.  Bake 12-14 minutes or until done, cheese has melted and lightly browned.  I usually get about 40 sausage balls from this recipe.

Adding that little extra cheese makes these even better.  Next time I make them I'm going to use cheddar cheese.

Cheese Cookies and Sausage Balls

This recipe will make both Cheese Cookies and Sausage Balls simply by adding one additional ingredient saving you time and clean-up.

Cheese Cookies

2 cups flour
3 cups shredded cheese
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
4 cups Rice Krispies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl mix flour and cheese.  Using your hands add butter and then rice krispies.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.  Shape 1/2 of the mixture into walnut size balls.  Press flat.  Bake 10-12 minutes.  Makes about 2 dozen

Sausage Balls

1 lb. lean sausage
1 cup flour

To the remaining mixture, using your hands, mix in sausage and flour.  Roll into walnut size balls.  Bake 12-15 minutes.  makes about 2 dozen

Comments:  The cheese cookies will have a crispy crunch from the rice krispies.  The sausage balls will have a slight crunch but not quite as much as the cookies.  I use a Mexican cheese blend which also adds a unique flavor to the cookies.  You can use any cheese or cheese blend that you might like.  These are perfect for the holidays and entertaining or just plain old eating.    These are delicious!