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

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

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

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!

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.

I cook my sausage first and drain the grease. I mix everything together while it is still warm. I have not found them to be greasy afterwards. I always have requests to make them on special occasions.

About the grease. I poured it off my pizza pan into a bowl while they were cooling a bit. The balls don't move because they are kinda stuck with cheese to the bottom of the pan. That way you don't have the grease as bad.

In regards to the grease, I always rinse the sausage in a strainer after cooking. When mixing the ingredients with the Bisquick, I add water to dampen mixture. They turn out great every time!

Would putting the sausage balls on a rack on a cookie sheet help the drain away any
grease from the sausage meat? Worth a try perhaps?

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

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!

So I am that person that did not read the instructions first and I cooked the sausage. If you do the same don't panic!! I added half a can of petite diced tomatoes with the juice to it and baked for 15 min. Turned out perfect! YAY!

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

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.

I use mexi melt, it works great!

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.

Jimmy, I love your comment!! I have told several family members who complain about their weight, to get off their *ss and away from the table. GUARANTEED to work :) I AM PROOF, I and I eat anything I want!

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 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!

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

I use a melon baller to make perfect balls each time. I have three sizes, but like the medium size one. They come out about the size of a walnut then. Great recipe and a family tradition for holidays with my family for many many years.

Adding extra cheese can help keep the recipe from being too dry. Also, adding pepper flakes can turn up the heat when using turkey sausage, although you may want to add cautiously.

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!

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

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.