This is the best! I've used it for years! Freezes well, pop in the microwave to warm, easy petite snack plopped in scrambled eggs with salsa! Mmmm!

doesn't the grease from the sausage (if uncooked to begin with) ooze out of the balls while cooking?

Hi Betty,

Be sure to drain excess grease - you can let them sit on paper towels for 10 minutes or so.

-- CM

CM...how do you drain excess grease before forming them if the only way the grease comes out of sausage is while cooking? And they're formed before cooking....

Maybe what u r looking for is something vegetarian? lol

The Bisquick absorbs it.

This is a recipe that I use every year at the holidays. If you use a good quality sausage (stay away from cheap brands), the grease problem isn't really much of a problem, but you can still drain on a paper towel if needed. Half of a recipe will make about 3 dozen appetizers

I think the bisquick absorbs most of the grease. They aren't very greasy when baked...and once cool they are not greasy at all...but taste great. Not a vegan OR healthy choice, definitely...but yummy! lol

Trust me, do not cook the sausage first, made that mistake once.

These days there is not as much fat in the sausage as you would think. (so sad!!:)

Very good! I love these. These items is on my table every year at christmas.

Used this recipe for 40 years. Bake them on a brown paper sack. Cut up a large paper sack to fit the cookie sheet. Absorbs all the grease!

Love this recipe. I got it out of a cookbook years ago. However, in my cookbook it does say to cook on a wire rack inside a cookie sheet. I actually use foil over a cake pan and cut slits for the excess grease to drain during cooking.

Can someone give me a tip on the best kind of cheeses to use?

I use sargento or Kroger brand shredded sharp cheddar and no mellow cheese but if you want to use a mellow cheese I would add some pepper jack.

I've always used sharp cheddar.

These are not a health food thing. The problem with America is we are so worried about health but we keep getting fatter. This recipe is great and my family loves them every year I make them. If your looking for health then put out the veggies. Without dip of course.

I use mexi melt, it works great.

I see here and on other sites that it does not say to cook first. I also read one comment "Trust me, do not cook the sausage first, made that mistake once." That is how my mom always made them then she used the drippings in the mix. I find this new way does not make as nice of a treat. When I make them and do it the way I learned, the balls come out more like a biscuit ball with sausage & cheese (flakier, and not as greasy) Just a comment. I'll eat them either way :-)

I always cook the sausage first too and they always turn out great!

I love these but they always seem so hard to make into a ball, because they are dry! Any suggestions?

Jane: Add a lil more sausage

Re: hard to make into balls. I think it helps if ingredients are room temp. And hey, we only make these at Christmas so eating them once a year won't kill you!! They are a great "breakfast" for Christmas morn.

I've found you can add a bit more water also to make them easier to form into balls :) I like to add a few red pepper flakes to some of them too.

I also add parsley, garlic powder and onion powder. it gives a bit more flavor. I make a dipping sauce too. Melt a small jar of peach jam in a small pan and add two spoons of horseradish. simmer for a few minutes and serve in a small bowl on the platter with the sausage balls. You can substitute apricot, apple, pineapple too. anything you like@! Merry Christmas!

I use a lot less Bisquick and do add some water. I use latex gloves when rolling them into balls and keep a bowl of water (to dip my gloved fingers in) when the mixture start sticking too much. I add various combinations of garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, tarragon, sage, mint, crushed red pepper flakes a dash of Tabasco, whatever you like (not all in the same batch, though). The cheese seems to be the culprit with the oil thing, but who cares. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Thank you guys so much! These are so delish!!!!!

I use turkey sausage (combine hot and mild for a great taste), it is much less greasy and those who are counting points/calories love them!! I also use a little less Bisquick. I bake on brown paper bag to help with any grease absorption.
Merry Christmas!

If you use Jimmy Dean Sausage, they are much less greasy.

Cann't eat just one! We do cook the sausage and drain first. Cook 10 minutes on top rack then 5 minutes on bottom rack on broil until slightly crunchy. I also like to flatten them out a little! Merry Christmas

My mom makes these every Christmas. She partially precooks the sausage in the microwave before mixing it the cheese and Bisquick mix. Not too greasy. She prepares in advance and freezes the balls and then bakes them the morning she serves them. Later she reheats in the micro and they are still tasty.

what is mellow cheese?

I ALWAYS cook the sausage first, then add cheese and bisquick and form into balls and bake. Much Better. I also use only 2 cups of bisquick. They are much flakier and a LOT less greasy. YUMMO!!

I also use only Sage Sausage.

My mom has made these since I was little, so good! After she forms the balls, she also rolls them in more shredded cheese. Great!

I made these, but they just spread out all over the pan, instead of staying in balls. Is this because of the cheaper sausage I used? It was the first time I made them and my husband loves them.

I always use Jimmy Dean Sausage ans sharp cheddar cheese. I do not cook the sausage first and I do add 1/4 cup of milk to mine and it makes them easier to form and not too dry.I cut the Bisquick to 1 cup and you get alot more of the sausage taste instead of just bread. Enjoy

Soften the cheese, this makes forming the balls much easier.

I use a very lean saugage to begin with. Deer saugage is great....it is the leanest. Just as soon as I take them from the oven I tilt the baking pan slightly and if there is any grease it will go to the end and can be wiped away with paper towels.

Thank you very much for the recipe, I have looked everywhere for it. Thanks for all the others advice :)