Pimento cheese sausage balls are what happens when holiday cheer meets unapologetic Southern snacking. They're spicy, cheesy, and disappear faster than your patience at a family gathering—perfect for Christmas parties, football spreads, or anytime you need something that's unique and easy.
Table of Contents
🗝️ Pimento cheese sausage balls obsession
- One-bite wonders – They’re bite-sized, bold, and blessedly easy to pop in your mouth without interrupting your story.
- Cheese, spice, and everything Southern – Packed with smoky sausage and creamy pimento cheese, they’ve got more personality than your Great-Aunt Velma at the family reunion after 4 green apple martinis.
- Freeze now, thank yourself later – Make a double batch and stash 'em in the freezer like the domestic genius you are.
🧾 Ingredients in pimento cheese sausage ball appetizers
Just as delicious as classic cream cheese sausage balls but SO unique!
- Bulk breakfast sausage – Hot or mild, depending on whether your relatives can handle the truth.
- Pimento cheese – Store-bought or homemade, just make sure it’s good enough to eat with a spoon.
- Biscuit mix – The magical powder that holds it all together—bless it.
- Shredded cheddar – Go sharp or go home.
- Garlic powder – Because flavor should slap, not whisper.
- Smoked paprika – Adds a little smoky drama like your cousin who showed up to the PTA meeting in sequins again.
Hey! If you'd like extra tips, storage and freezer info, FAQs, and more go ahead and download this free Pimento Cheese Sausage Balls Kitchen Cheat Sheet pdf.
📖 Recipe
Pimento Cheese Sausage Balls
Print Pin Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 1 lb bulk pork sausage, hot or mild
- 2 cups biscuit mix, like Bisquick
- 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar, shred from a block for best results
- ½ cup homemade or store-bought pimento cheese
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika, optional, but delicious
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil (or don’t and repent later).
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients. Use your hands—like your mama taught you—to really squish everything together until it’s well blended.
- Roll into 1-inch balls and place on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve warm with ranch, comeback sauce, or straight off the tray like a heathen.
Notes
- Don’t overmix – We’re making snacks, not paving a driveway. Mix until just combined to keep things tender, not tough.
- Use cold ingredients – Cold sausage and cold pimento cheese make for easier mixing and better texture.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
🔪 How to make sausage balls with pimento cheese
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients.
- Mix well, use your hands to really squish everything together.
- Roll into 1-inch balls and place on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. Serve warm with this Jalapeno Ranch Dip or Jezebel sauce!
Can I make sausage & pimento cheese balls gluten free?
Yes you can. Just substitute a gluten-free biscuit mix for the Bisquick. Be sure to read and make sure that no one snuck gluten into any of the other ingredients.
Marye's tip for perfection
Scoop like a pro – A small cookie scoop keeps 'em uniform so nobody fights over the “big one.”
📚 More Southern appetizers for the holidays and beyond
If you’re into cheesy snacks, retro party bites, and things wrapped, rolled, or dunked in deliciousness, you’re in the right kitchen. Here are a few more crowd-pleasers that’ll keep the appetizer tray as empty as your patience after hosting.
- Crispy Fried Pimento Cheese Balls – Basically the diva cousin of these sausage balls—fried, fabulous, and totally not sorry about it.
- Cranberry Sauce Meatballs – Sweet, tangy, and suspiciously addictive. Like your favorite Hallmark movie with a kick.
- Pigs in a Blanket – The retro classic that never lets you down—hot dog bites wrapped in buttery dough and baked until golden perfection. They always show up, and they always disappear.
Whether you're feeding a holiday crowd, prepping for the big game, or just need a little cheesy comfort disguised as finger food, these pimento cheese sausage balls get it done. They're easy to make, impossible to resist, and disappear faster than your willpower at a cookie swap. Go ahead—make a double batch and leave me a comment to brag about it. I’ll wait.
Kathy Sicht says
I would secretly get something from aunt carol’s house, wrap it and put it in white elephant exchange to see her surprised look marvel at her determination to retrieve it!
Laurie L Kearnes says
I'm definitely gonna try these cause I love pimento cheese and I love sausage - I've never had them together, though, but I think it's a great idea. I was also looking at your recipe for the sausage balls with sour cream. And seriously, I was tickled to see your comment about Great-aunt Velma - I thought I was the only gal in the world who had an Aunt Velma! She definitely was a character! Thanks for your awesome recipes and your humor - you crack me up in every post.
MaryB says
This sounds like a great combination to me and what a fun take on sausage balls. We often have get togethers where we serve finger foods. I’ll be trying this one for sure.
Sue says
I love pimento cheese spread, but usually just put in on crackers. Never thought to form it into balls, bake and serve warm--looks interesting, not quite sure about the sausage combination, just might give it try for something different.
AnnieO says
I'm new here and I hate for my very first comment is to say "Sorry, I haven't tried this recipe and TBH probably won't." But to each their own but this isn't my jam. My favorite Christmas holiday party treat is Italian Hot Chocolate--rich and thick and not too sweet. Thanks though for providing something for everyone.
Carol G says
Interesting combination, I like pimento cheese not sure about mixed with sausage, but family is up for new ideas. I would take to "Aunt Carol's, slices of party rye bread with a little mayo and chopped onion spread on each slice then top with slices of swiss cheese. Pop them under the broiler to melt and enjoy!
Leslie says
Years ago I went to a Christmas party where these were served. I couldn't leave them alone. I wish I had asked her for the recipe. It is now too late, so every time I come across a recipe that seems like the one, I try it. My attempts always result in an oily mess. I have to assume it is my technique. I have tried grating my own cheese and mixing by hand. The tip mentioned here might do the trick. Cold ingredients seems like it might be the answer. Thank you for sharing your terrific recipes.
Beth Brown says
I love just about anything with cheese so I'll have to give this a try. I would say that my favorite dish to make and share would be either cinnamon rolls or cravin' beans - depends on the occasion. Cravin' beans have sliced hot dogs, butter beans, navy beans, chili beans and other seasonings.
Jean M says
I never thought about pimento cheese instead of shredded cheese. Gotta try it!