Heidi’s Sausage Balls

Sausage Balls
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Tasty, Convenient, Satisfying – All In One Package

The first time I had these sausage balls I was visiting my sister, Heidi. She had revamped her diet by focusing on protein and veggies. (Lost over 80 pounds. See her lovely photo at the end of the post!) Her sausage balls were so tasty and convenient, I had to have the recipe. It’s easy to measure out your “dose” of protein when it comes in a portable little package. If you are running errands, 3 of these and an apple will keep you fueled for several hours.

They Are Perfect For Helping Out Friends In Need

This is one of my go-to recipes for people whose life circumstances require friends and family to help them with meals. Everyone loves the flavor, the easiness of just grabbing a few out of a container, and how satisfying they are.

Thank you! We loved the Sausage balls … had them the first night for dinner, then I packed them for my family’s lunch the next day – and I ate them cold for breakfast!

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It doesn’t take long to chop everything and form the balls, and while they are roasting you can throw together a few sides. Meal preppers will love this recipe. Just “healthy” it up by reducing the cheese and adding more veggies. Cooking them on a cookie sheet means the grease cooks out of the balls.

I throw a few in my salads. It’s a nice break from chicken breasts!

They are perfect for parties and Hors d’oeuvres

You can make them ahead and you don’t need utensils to eat them. ‘Nough said.

Sausage balls ingredients
Sausage balls ingredients
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Raw one-ounce sausage balls on a parchment paper lined, rimmed cookie sheet. (The rim prevents hot grease from sliding off the cookie sheet.)

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Sausage Balls

Chop everything, mix everything, form balls, cook.
Calories 100 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound breakfast sausage
  • 1 pound Hot Italian sausage
  • 1 c shredded cheese, any flavor cheddar is a great choice
  • 3/4 c celery finely chopped
  • 3/4 c onion, any color finely chopped
  • 2/3 c Italian bread crumbs
  • 3 cloves garlic minced or grated with a microplane
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 10 grinds of a pepper mill or 1 tsp

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 and line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper or foil.
  • If you have a food scale, zero it with a plate on it so you can keep the balls uniform size.
  • Chop and mince everything, beat the eggs, and combine it all in a large bowl.
  • Form the mixture into 1 oz balls and line them up on the cookie sheets.
  • Cook at 350 for about 50 minutes. Rotate the cookie sheets top to bottom and front to back at the 25-minute mark.

Notes

You can use any sausage you want. I've experimented with turkey sausage and tried to manipulate the spices to replicate traditional breakfast sausage flavor. After a few attempts, I've decided regular pork sausage is just fine.
I often play around with the seasonings by adding fresh sage, fresh oregano, or thyme if I have the herbs.
Calorie/nutrition data is calculated for one ball, assuming you'll get about 40 balls from the whole recipe. As you can see, it's not exactly a low-calorie recipe. The trick is to not pig out on them. Put 3 in your salad, grab 2 for a post workout snack. Don't knock back the whole tray in one sitting.
My sister, Heidi who lost over 80 pounds. Yes, she eats full fat sausage. But she eats about 3 balls with a salad ... not 5 balls on a big hoagy bun!
My sister, Heidi who lost over 80 pounds. Yes, she eats full-fat sausage. But she eats about 3 balls with a salad … not 5 balls on a big hoagy bun!

6 Comments

  1. Love your posts Josie and this recipe sounds like a sure way to deliciously help me get my protein in! Thanks for sharing. Lovely photo of Heidi too!!

    1. Thanks, Gina. They are so convenient to have on hand. Seriously – I eat them cold – in my car, at work … filling and longer lasting than other easy to carry foods!

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