Pimento cheese sausage balls are the ultimate bite-sized comfort food—savory, cheesy, and impossible to stop eating once you start! These Southern-style snacks combine spicy sausage, creamy pimento, and Bisquick for a super simple appetizer that bakes up golden and delicious. Perfect for holiday gatherings, tailgates, brunches, or potlucks, these sausage balls with pimento cheese are a twist on the classic recipe that everyone will love.
These pimento cheese appetizers are a practical choice for busy days or hosting. You can mix and shape them ahead of time, then freeze until you’re ready to bake. Try swapping in spicy sausage for more heat, or add chopped green onions for a little bite. They pair well with BBQ sauce or ranch dressing and are always a favorite for holiday mornings, casual get-togethers, or afternoon snacking.
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Why We Love This Pimento Cheese Appetizers
- It’s bold, cheesy, and packed with flavor.
The combo of spicy sausage and creamy pimento gives these savory bites a delicious kick that keeps everyone coming back for more. 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. - Only 3 ingredients and under 30 minutes.
With just pimento, baking mix, and sausage, you can have a tray of sausage balls with pimento cheese ready fast—perfect for last-minute snacks or unexpected guests. - Great for make-ahead or freezing.
You can prep the mixture ahead of time, freeze before baking, and pop them in the oven when needed. That makes them ideal for parties, holidays, or weekend meal prep! 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.
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. Pimento cheese comes in many varieties and brands. I like the Palmetto brand, but any mixture of pimento spread will work in this recipe.
This pimento substitute recipe is handy. With it you will always be able to make these palmetto cheese sausage balls! - Bisquick: this flour baking mix is the binder that holds the meatballs together.
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. - 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.
Homemade DIY Bisquick Substitute
You can easily make your own baking mix from scratch!
If you’ve ever wondered what is a Bisquick original pancake 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.
Recipe Variations
- Turkey sausage balls with pimento cheese: Substitute ground pork sausage with leaner ground turkey or chicken for turkey pimento cheese appetizers. 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 or your homemade pimento cheese. In addition to their classic flavor, they also offer a spicier spread. It’s made with jalapeños and extra savory pimento cheese with bacon.
- Add a spicy kick with red pepper flakes or paprika. Or use sharp cheddar cheese instead.
Equipment Used in this Recipe
- Baking Sheet
- Parchment paper
- Cookie scoop
How To Make 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 warm sausage balls made with Palmetto pimento with your favorite dipping sauce, mango chili sauce, BBQ sauce, easy marinara dipping sauce, or mustard hot sauce.
This dish is ideal for serving as a tailgate snack, party appetizer, or as an addition to 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 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 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
- parchment lined baking sheet
- cookie scoop
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.
Notes
- Turkey sausage balls with pimento cheese: Substitute ground pork sausage with leaner ground turkey or chicken for turkey pimento cheese appetizers. 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 or your homemade 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.
- Add a spicy kick with red pepper flakes or paprika. Or use sharp cheddar cheese instead.
- Homemade sausage balls will keep well for up to 3 or 4 days in the refrigerator.
- Let the balls cool to room temperature before transferring them to a sealed container and placing it in the fridge.
- Form the sausage balls, Flash freeze meatballs before baking. Then store them in a freezer-safe container, like a Ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Let thaw at room temperature for an hour before baking.
Nutrition
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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!