Description
Sausage stuffing balls bring festive Italian-inspired comfort to classic holiday appetizers. Packed with savory sausage, herbs, and cheese, you’ll savor each crispy, golden bite of this crowd-pleasing party starter.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground breakfast sausage
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and diced
Cheese Ingredient:
- 3 cups (340 grams) cheddar cheese, shredded
Additional Ingredients:
- 6 ounces (170 grams) boxed stuffing mix (or 3 cups homemade stuffing)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350°F and position a rack in the center.
- Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper, creating a non-stick surface for the appetizers.
- Prepare the stuffing mix according to the package instructions, ensuring it’s fully cooked and cooled slightly.
- Combine crumbled sausage, crispy bacon pieces, prepared stuffing, and shredded cheese in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Gently form the mixture into compact, uniform bite-sized spheres using your hands, applying light pressure to help them hold together.
- Carefully arrange the formed balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly to allow proper heat circulation.
- Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through to ensure even browning.
- Remove from the oven when the bites are golden brown and heated completely through, with a crispy exterior and soft interior.
Notes
- Customize the stuffing mix by using homemade or gluten-free versions for dietary restrictions.
- Try different cheese types like sharp cheddar, gouda, or pepper jack for varied flavor profiles.
- Use lean sausage or turkey sausage to reduce overall fat content while maintaining delicious taste.
- Make ahead and freeze uncooked balls for convenient meal prep, storing in airtight containers for up to one month.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 357
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg