These pimento cheese sausage balls are loaded with creamy, tangy palmetto cheese. Everyone will love this for an addictively delicious appetizer or snack! Plus, this recipe is super easy and ready in under 30 minutes. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces at parties, casual get-togethers, or even your next spaghetti dinner. These sausage ball recipes are great to make ahead in a large batch to enjoy now and freeze some for later!
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Why We Love This Sausage Pimento Cheese Ball Recipe
Savory and spicy sausage is combined with zesty pimento cheese for an easy snack or appetizer. What’s not to love?
This twist on our classic sausage balls with Bisquick cheese and sausage recipe is made with Bisquick baking mix. Instead of shredded cheese, though, this delightful twist uses Palmetto pimento cheese for an extra kick of flavor.
Palmetto pimento cheese sausage balls are just as easy to prepare as the original version. And, they have just 3 ingredients! Can you believe it?
Simply mix baking mix with spicy ground sausage. Then stir in creamy pimento and scooped into balls. Finally, bake the balls until they are golden brown.
From start to finish it takes less than 30 minutes! You will have a plateful of tender, bold, and cheesy meatballs ready to dip into your favorite sauces.
These fun and flavorful hand-held wonders are terrific to serve at parties, barbecues, and casual gatherings.
In fact, I usually make two batches at a time. One to enjoy right away, and the other to freeze and have on hand for last-minute appetizers.
Once you try this tasty appetizer I promise you will want to make them for any and every occasion!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Ground pork sausage – this is the heart of the meatball! I prefer Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage or Italian sausage
- Pimento cheese – this is a mixture of cheddar cheese, pimento peppers, and mayonnaise for a rich cheesy taste and tender, moist sausage balls.
- Bisquick – this flour baking mix is the binder that holds the meatballs together
Optional: sliced green onions
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
If using a lower fat sausage, like chicken or turkey, add 2 tablespoons of milk or butter to keep the meatballs moist.
Pimento cheese comes in many varieties and brands. I like the Palmetto brand, but any mixture of pimento cheese spread will work in this recipe.
This pimento cheese substitute recipe is handy. With it you will always be able to make these palmetto cheese sausage balls!
Out of Bisquick in the pantry? No problem! Our Bsiquick substitute for a homemade baking mix is below. Use it for any of our Bisquick recipes on The Feathered Nester.
Homemade DIY Bisquick Substitute
You can easily make your own baking mix from scratch!
If you’ve ever wondered what is a Bisquick baking mix made of? Well, you might be surprised to learn that it’s simply a combination of flour, baking powder, salt, and vegetable shortening. That’s it!
Check out the complete homemade Bisquick biscuits guide for precise measurements to prepare this baking mix recipe.
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Recipe Variations
- Turkey sausage balls with pimento cheese: Substitute ground pork sausage with leaner ground turkey or chicken for turkey sausage balls with pimento cheese. Add two tablespoons of melted butter or whole milk to keep the meatball mixture nice and moist.
- Gluten-free Pimento Cheese Sausage Balls: This recipe is easy to make as gluten-free pimento cheese sausage balls! Simply use Gluten-Free Bisquick or your preferred GF-friendly baking mix.
- Make this delicious snack even more exciting by using other types of Palmetto pimento cheese. In addition to their classic flavor, they also offer a spicier cheese spread. It’s made with jalapeños and extra savory pimento cheese with bacon.
How To Make Bisquick Sausage Balls With Pimento Cheese
Preheat the oven to 375º Fahrenheit, then prepare the baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper, a Silpat liner, or aluminum foil.
Add the ground sausage, pimento cheese mixture, baking mix, and green onion to a large mixing bowl.
Use clean hands, a potato masher, or a stand mixer to mix the sausage ball mixture together. If using your hands, knead or fold the Bisquick and cheese into the ground sausage.
Then, scoop the sausage ball mix with a medium-sized scoop or large tablespoon and make 24 balls.
Each should be about the size of a golf ball. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake at 375º Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes. The meatballs will be light golden brown in color when they are done baking.
Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the center of the sausage balls registers 145º F in temperature.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these Palmetto pimento cheese sausage balls warm with your favorite dipping sauce, like mango chili sauce, BBQ sauce, easy marinara dipping sauce, or mustard hot sauce.
This is perfect to serve as a tailgate snack, party appetizer, or just an addition for dinner.
Recipe FAQs
These tangy snacks are delightful to dip in all kinds of sauces. Pair them with sweeter condiments, like honey mustard, barbecue sauce, and ketchup for yummy crack sausage balls. Or, savory dipping sauces like ranch dressing, remoulade, or pretzel with beer cheese dip for even more cheesiness!
Meatballs and sausage balls can become too dry for a few reasons. Using too much baking mix is one. Stir your flour mixture before measuring it. Another is overworking the ground meat, baking mix, and cheese. Stir just until combined, then quickly roll the balls. These tips should help avoid the dry issue.
The combination of baking mix, ground sausage, and cheese mixture binds the mixture so it sticks together. I always recommend using freshly grated cheese, but in this recipe, we are using a Palmetto cheese mixture.
It’s best to freeze the palmetto cheese sausage balls before baking. Form the meatballs and place them on a baking sheet. Then, flash and freeze them in the freezer for an hour.
Transfer to an airtight zipper bag for storage. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw at room temperature for an hour before baking.
Use an instant-read thermometer to check to see if the center of the meatballs is at least 145º Fahrenheit. If so, they are done.
It will keep well for up to 3 or 4 days in the refrigerator. To store: let them cool completely. Then, transfer them to an airtight container before placing them in the fridge.
These are best frozen before baking, in my opinion. To freeze, form the sausage balls. Place on a baking sheet then flash freeze the meatballs in the freezer for 1-2 hours. Then store them in a freezer-safe container, like a Ziplock bag for up to 3 months.
You can also freeze them after baking. Let cool, then place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Do not thaw in the microwave. The frozen sausage balls may separate or become mushy.
Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat silicone liner. Then thaw at room temperature for an hour until they are defrosted.
For already baked pimento cheese sausage balls, cover them with foil before baking. Bake at 375ºF for 15-20 minutes, following the instructions in the recipe.
More Easy Appetizers To Love…
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Pimento Cheese Sausage Balls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground pork sausage (I prefer Jimmy Dean hot breakfast sausage or hot Italian sausage)
- 1 container (12 ounces) pimento cheese (I prefer the Palmetto cheese brand)
- 2 cups Bisquick baking mix (see notes below for how to make baking mix)
optional
- ½ cup green onion, green part, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375º Fahrenheit. Prepare the baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Add the ground sausage, pimento cheese mixture, baking mix, and green onion (if using) to a large mixing bowl. Use clean hands, a potato masher, or stand mixer to mix the sausage ball mixture together. If using your hands, it is best to knead or fold the Bisquick and cheese into the ground sausage.
- Use a medium scoop or large tablespoon to make 24 pimento sausage balls, about the size of a golf ball. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake at 375º Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes, until the meatballs are lightly golden brown in color. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the center of the sausage balls registers 145º Fahrenheit in temperature.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, like marinara sauce or a zesty BBQ sauce.
Ned says
What an awesome recipe! I made this for a neighborhood bbq and everyone loved it! Thank you for this great recipe!
Kechi says
YUM!!! I love these. I Made them last Sunday, and it was amazing! Such a great appetizer! I used chicken sausage and added milk, as you said to add, and everything came out so well!
Dannii says
These were amazing. So much flavour and the perfect party food.
Dina and Bruce says
We are so excited for these! Love the flavor combo! Making this weekend!
Renee says
My husband, who is a big pimento cheese fan, absolutely loves these! I love them because they are super easy, and you can prep them in advance. Thank you!