Zesty Sausage and Cheese Balls
These are a Thanksgiving morning tradition, but can be served at brunch or as appetizers. Great for church functions or when feeding a crowd, they are a hit wherever they are taken!
These are a Thanksgiving morning tradition, but can be served at brunch or as appetizers. Great for church functions or when feeding a crowd, they are a hit wherever they are taken!
- Carbohydrate 31.27383 g
- Cholesterol 101.2925844 mg
- Fat 40.9040526268333 g
- Fiber 0.140350005481392 g
- Protein 25.1059297721667 g
- Saturated Fat 17.2766274775333 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (172g)
- Sodium 1238.9839122 mg
- Sugar 31.1334799945186 g
- Trans Fat 7.39363862990001 g
- Calories 593 calories
Step-by-step
- Mix dry ingredients and cheese together.
- Mix in the sausage.
- Spray cookie sheet (or rack) with non-stick cooking spray.
- Use the measuring teaspoon to get an average amount of sausage and roll into balls.
- Place on cookie sheet. Liberally sprinkle paprika over the top of each ball.
- Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
Evaluating Doneness by Sight and Texture
Sharp cheddar cheese provides both the binding structure and the primary fat source for these morsels. Bake these at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes on a prepared cookie sheet. Because of the small size, inserting a thermometer is impractical. Instead, look for distinct visual cues. The exterior should turn golden brown, and the grated cheddar must be fully melted and bubbling around the edges. When nudged with a spatula, the balls should feel firm rather than squishy in the center. Pull them from the oven immediately once the bottom develops an even brown crust to prevent dryness.
Equipment Essentials and Workarounds
Standard baking requires a sturdy rimmed baking sheet and a measuring teaspoon for portioning uniform portions. If a cookie sheet is unavailable, a roasting pan or a broiler pan lined with foil functions adequately. A wire rack placed inside the baking sheet promotes air circulation underneath, ensuring crispier bottoms. Portioning the dough consistently guarantees that every piece reaches doneness simultaneously. Allow the baked portions to cool for five minutes on the pan before transferring them to a platter.
