Easy Ina Garten Sausage Balls Recipe: Perfect Party Pleasers

Ina Garten’s sausage balls burst with zesty, comforting flavors that transform ordinary appetizers into crowd-pleasing delights.

Southern kitchens know the magic of these bite-sized morsels that pack serious punch.

Tender ground pork mingles with sharp cheese and buttery baking mix, creating an irresistible texture that melts in your mouth.

Hearty and satisfying, these savory spheres promise to elevate any gathering with minimal effort.

Each golden-brown ball delivers a perfect balance of spice and richness that keeps guests coming back for more.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly these morsels come together, making them ideal for spontaneous parties or lazy weekend snacking.

Warm and inviting, these delectable nibbles represent comfort food at its finest: enjoy responsibly.

Why Ina Garten’s Sausage Balls Are the Perfect Appetizer

• Savor Meaty Flavor Explosions: These sausage balls pack an incredible punch of rich, savory taste that bursts with every single bite, combining spicy sausage and sharp cheddar cheese for a mouthwatering experience.
• Create Effortless Party Perfection: Requiring just three main ingredients and minimal prep time, this recipe is a game-changer for busy hosts who want to impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen. Simply mix, roll, and bake for stress-free entertaining.
• Enjoy Versatile Crowd-Pleasing Bites: These golden-brown sausage balls work magic as an appetizer, game day snack, or breakfast treat. Their portable size and irresistible texture make them perfect for any gathering, from casual get-togethers to fancy cocktail parties.
• Experience Foolproof Cooking Simplicity: Even novice cooks can nail this recipe with its straightforward method and forgiving technique. No complicated skills needed – just basic mixing and rolling create deliciously crispy, cheesy sausage balls every single time.

Key Ingredients for Ina Garten Sausage Balls

Main Ingredients:

• Sausage: Provides rich, savory flavor and forms the protein base of the recipe.
• Biscuit Mix: Helps bind the ingredients and creates a light, tender texture.

• Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharp, tangy flavor and helps create a melty, creamy element.

• Scallions: Brings a mild, fresh onion flavor and adds a subtle green color to the sausage balls.

How to Make Ina Garten Sausage Balls

Step 1: Prepare Baking Workspace

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a clean surface for your sausage balls.

Step 2: Combine Base Ingredients

• Sausage
• Biscuit mix
• Scallions (optional)

Gently knead the ingredients until they are thoroughly blended and create a uniform mixture.

Step 3: Add Cheese Goodness

Fold in grated Cheddar cheese, stirring carefully to distribute the cheese evenly throughout the mixture.

Step 4: Shape Sausage Balls

Use a tablespoon to scoop out portions of the mixture. Roll each portion into small balls, approximately the size of a walnut. Arrange the balls on the prepared baking sheets, spacing them 2 inches apart to ensure even cooking.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven. Bake for 26 minutes or until the sausage balls develop a beautiful golden-brown color. Once done, remove from the oven and let them cool slightly.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Serve the sausage balls warm or at room temperature as a delightful appetizer or snack. These bite-sized treats are perfect for gatherings or casual nibbling.

Pointers for Delicious Ina Garten Sausage Balls

• Soften Ingredients Strategically: Pull sausage from refrigerator 30 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth blending and easier kneading.
• Measure Precisely: Gently spoon biscuit mix into measuring cup, then level with a knife to prevent dense, dry texture in final sausage balls.
• Avoid Overmixing: Combine ingredients just until they hold together, preventing tough, dense results that can make these appetizers less enjoyable.
• Check Consistency: Mixture should stick together when pressed but not feel too wet or crumbly – adjust with small amounts of biscuit mix if needed.
• Uniform Size Matters: Use a small cookie scoop or tablespoon to create consistent sausage balls, ensuring even cooking and professional-looking appetizers.

Storing Ina Garten Sausage Balls

• Vacuum Seal Method: Protect sausage balls from freezer burn by using a vacuum sealer. Remove excess air completely, which prevents moisture and stops potential flavor degradation. Pack sausage balls in a single layer before sealing to maintain their perfect shape and texture.
• Portion Packaging Method: Divide cooked sausage balls into small serving-sized portions before storing. Wrap each portion tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside freezer-safe containers. This technique allows quick defrosting and prevents unnecessary thawing of entire batch.
• Temperature-Controlled Method: Store sausage balls at consistent 32-40°F in refrigerator to maximize freshness. Keep them away from strong-smelling foods that might transfer odors. Place containers in coolest part of refrigerator, typically back bottom shelf, to maintain optimal preservation conditions.

Different Twists on Ina Garten Sausage Balls

• Spicy Pepper Jack Punch: Swap cheddar with pepper jack cheese and add minced jalapeños for a fiery kick that wakes up your taste buds.
• Mediterranean Herb Fusion: Replace scallions with fresh chopped parsley, oregano, and add crumbled feta cheese for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Smoky Bacon Boost: Mix in crispy chopped bacon bits and use smoked cheddar cheese to enhance the savory depth of these sausage balls.
• Breakfast Scramble Style: Incorporate finely diced scrambled eggs and a sprinkle of chives into the mixture for a morning-inspired version that feels like a complete breakfast bite.

Closing Words on Ina Garten Sausage Balls

Sausage balls embody Southern comfort with their irresistible blend of savory ingredients.

Ina Garten’s recipe transforms simple pantry staples into crowd-pleasing appetizers that spark conversation.

Cheese-laden morsels emerge from warm ovens, promising rich flavor in every bite.

Scallions provide a subtle green complexity to these meaty treats.

Versatile snacks perfect for game days, holiday parties, or casual gatherings await eager palates.

Complex yet simple, these sausage balls beckon you to share, like, and spread culinary joy with friends near and far.

Ina Garten Sausage Balls Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s sausage balls combine hearty cheddar, zesty sausage, and crisp baking mix into irresistible party appetizers. Rich flavors meld perfectly, creating bite-sized delights that disappear quickly at gatherings where guests crave something deliciously satisfying.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground pork sausage, at room temperature

Cheese and Baking Mix:

• 8 ounces (227 grams) sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
• 2 cups biscuit baking mix (like Bisquick)

Garnish:

• ½ cup thinly sliced scallions (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and carefully line two baking sheets with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend ground sausage, biscuit mix, and finely chopped scallions, using gentle kneading motions to integrate ingredients without overworking the mixture.
3. Fold in freshly grated sharp Cheddar cheese, distributing the cheese evenly throughout the meat and biscuit mixture to guarantee consistent flavor in every bite.
4. Utilizing a tablespoon (15 milliliters), portion out the mixture and roll into compact, walnut-sized spheres with clean hands.
5. Arrange the sausage balls on prepared baking sheets, spacing them approximately 2 inches (5 centimeters) apart to allow proper heat circulation and even browning.
6. Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 24-26 minutes, rotating the sheets halfway through cooking to ensure uniform golden-brown coloration.
7. Remove from the oven and let the sausage balls rest for 3-4 minutes, allowing them to set and cool slightly before serving warm or at room temperature.

Notes

• Bring sausage to room temperature, allowing easier mixing and more even texture.
• Gently spoon biscuit mix into measuring cup, leveling carefully to prevent dense, dry results.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 106
• Sugar: 0.5 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 6 g
• Fiber: 0.2 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg