Zesty Sausage Cheese Balls

Ingredients

Meat
- 1 pkg. Jimmy dean premium pork hot roll sausage

Produce
- 1 large clove Garlic
- 1/4 cup Jalapeno peppers, fresh
- 1/4 cup Onion

Baking & Spices
- 3/4 cup All purpose baking mix
- 1/8 tsp Cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp Chili powder

Dairy
- 2 cups Cheddar cheese, sharp

Found on jimmydean.com

Description

This recipe (with my own spice changes) is such a big hit. I have taken it to the office (even breakfast) and to parties. They disappear. I use honey mustard or ranch dressing sauces for dipping. I have also used gluten free biscuit.

Its a shame that you had a bad experience with sausage balls. I, too, have had the same experience. Heres my tip (Most recipes dont include this): your sausage must be room temperature. I also bring my cheese to room temperature as well. They will be nice and moist and, no, you dont need a binder. Give it another try. You wont regret it!

suggestion to make incorporation of ingredients easier: first grate your (room temp is best) cheese into the large bowl, add the baking mix and toss together; then add the (room temp) sausage and,using hands (gloves if you choose) to knead the mixture together - should take about 5-7 minutes. believe it or not, this WILL come together, then form the balls and bake as directed.

I made the Italian version, only going ahead and using onion instead of bell pepper, and popped it into the oven. The bottoms started to burn, so I pulled them out early, gave them a flip, and put them back in. The bottoms were rather..blackened, and at first I was disappointed, till I munched them. Oh, dear! Yummy! Crispy sausage! Next time, Im doing it in the skillet.

these were so good! I doubled the recipe and needing more to bind it all together. I did add one egg and cooked the same and they turned out amazing. Lots of requests for the recipe. I did make the night before and then reheat in the crock pot on low. Worked like a charm!

I make these for every family Thanksgiving and Christmas get-together. A double batch never makes it through the evening. Serve with Taco sauce for dipping, although not necessary.

Used the regular pork Jimmy Dean and left out the jalapeno and added an extra four minutes to the cook time, but that didnt matter -- the balls be gone in no time.

I have been making these for years. We entertain often and they are always served and I get loads of compliments from my guests! With or without dipping sauces, they are awesome! For mixed crowds I use the "regular" sausage and am careful not to include the jalapeno seeds when adding the chopped peppers (they make it hot!). For my Husbands Poker group, the gloves come off!! LOL! Fantastic meatballs!

Ingredients