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Cozy Cheesy Sausage Stuffing Balls: Easy Holiday Appetizer

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These Cozy Cheesy Sausage Stuffing Balls are the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer, combining savory sausage, herby stuffing mix, and gooey melted cheese into golden, bite-sized spheres. Perfect for holiday gatherings, game days, or any occasion that calls for comfort food in a handheld form.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground pork sausage (preferably Jimmy Dean’s regular or mild)
  • 1 box (6 ounces) Stove Top stuffing mix, chicken flavor
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (shredded from a block)
  • ½ cup chicken broth (low-sodium if desired)
  • ¼ cup finely diced yellow onion (about half a small onion)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
  • ¼ teaspoon dried sage (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
  2. Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Add a tiny drizzle of oil or a pat of butter, then add the diced onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground sausage, dry stuffing mix, shredded cheddar cheese, chicken broth, sautéed onion and garlic, beaten egg, black pepper, and dried sage (if using). Use your hands to mix everything together until fully combined. The mixture should hold together when squeezed.
  4. Let the mixture rest for 5 minutes to allow the stuffing mix to absorb the liquid and soften.
  5. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, portion the mixture into balls about 1.5 inches in diameter. Roll them gently between your palms to smooth them out. Place on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart.
  6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C). At the 15-minute mark, flip them over with a spatula for even browning.
  7. Remove from the oven and let them rest on the baking sheet for 5 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and serve warm.

Notes

For best results, shred cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded cheese. Wet your hands when rolling the balls to prevent sticking. Let the mixture rest for 5 minutes before rolling to allow the stuffing to absorb liquid. Use a thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F. Balls can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerated; add 2-3 minutes to baking time if baking from cold. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze baked and cooled balls for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffing balls, sausage appetizer, holiday appetizer, cheesy stuffing, game day snack, easy appetizer, Thanksgiving appetizer

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