Red Lobster Sausage Balls (Spicy Sausage Balls)

These 3 ingredient Red Lobster Sausage Balls are perfect for any celebration or special occasion. They take less than 10 minutes to prepare and can be made ahead of time.

It is not a holiday party until these bite-sized wonders hit the table! They are the best sausage balls that can be made mild or with a spicy kick and can be served for breakfast, brunch, or as an appetizer!

At over 3 million views, these sausage balls have been one of the most popular finger food recipes on the website for the past 3 years. With only 3 ingredients, quick preparation, and the option to make ahead of time, this recipe is a guaranteed hit!

When I was little, there was a lady that always brought these to my piano recitals. I would wait by the reception table where she would place them, and once the prayer was spoken, I’d take an embarrassing amount! Every year, my mom also makes these a part of our Christmas morning spread. She mixes them up on Christmas Eve so all she has to do is pop them in the oven the next day!

Make this Red Lobster Sausage Ball recipe one time and it’ll be a new tradition!

If you’re a pimento cheese fan, make sure to check out my Bisquick Sausage Balls recipe, my mom’s famous Pimento Cheese that we served at our restaurant, and my quick and easy Pimento Cheese Cornbread!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• SUPER Easy Recipe: It doesn’t get much easier than 3 simple ingredients and less than 10 minutes to prep.
• Perfect for Every Occasion: Game day, holiday, birthday, any day of the week…this sausage ball recipe is always are the perfect breakfast, brunch, or appetizer addition!
• Crowd Favorite: Anytime I bring these to a party, there are never any left!
• Incredible Flavor: Sausage, cheese, and seasonings from the biscuit mix or seasonings you decide to add makes for an unbeatable blend of flavors.

Ingredients

Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below

• Creamy Pimento Cheese (Spicy or Regular): Adds a creamy and slightly tangy element to the sausage balls. It also contributes to the overall flavor profile with the addition of pimentos. My personal preference is Palmetto Cheese.
• Breakfast Pork Sausage (Spicy or Regular): Provides savory flavor and a meaty texture. My personal preference is Jimmy Dean Sausage or Old Folks Sausage.
• Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix: Acts as a binding agent and helps create a dough-like consistency, giving structure to the sausage balls.

See alternatives for these items under Tips for Success and Substitutions.

Best Pimento Cheese for Sausage Balls

You have the flexibility to use either store-bought or homemade pimento cheese. Using store-bought pimento cheese offers convenience, but making your own allows for creative customization of flavors.

Whichever you choose, ensure that it’s an easily spreadable, creamy pimento cheese style. My personal preference for these pimento cheese sausage balls is Palmetto Cheese.

If your pimento cheese isn’t creamy and your dough appears dry, you can add 2 ounces of cream cheese to the mixture or 1/4 cup whole milk. Add more of either if needed.

Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing Bowl
• Small Scoop
• Spatula
• Sheet Pan

How to Make Sausage Balls

1. To a medium mixing bowl, add the biscuit mix, pimento cheese and sausage. Mix by hand, with a hand mixer, or in a stand mixer with the dough hook or paddle attachment until the sausage mixture is incorporated well.

2. Scoop and roll into 1-inch balls.

3. Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray or line with non-stick aluminum foil. Add the sausage balls to the pan.

4. Bake at 375ºF 18-20 minutes or until they’re golden brown on top and cooked through at a minimum internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Transfer immediately to a serving dish.

Tips for Success and Substitutions

• Pan Preparation: Bake the sausage balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet or pan spritzed with nonstick cooking spray. Nonstick aluminum foil also works great! These make for easier cleanup.
• Red Lobster Mix Substitution: You can substitute the Red Lobster biscuit mix with one of these options:
  • 2 1/4 cups Bisquick Mix (see my Sausage Balls recipe)
  • Homemade Bisquick Mix Substitution: Combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoons baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 2 tablespoons grated cold butter.
  • 2 cups self-rising flour plus 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 cups pancake mix
• Sausage Variety: Pork breakfast sausage is the most commonly used sausage, but you can choose your favorite sausage variety—whether it’s mild sausage, hot sausage, mild Italian sausage, hot Italian sausage, or a unique flavor blend—to personalize it to your taste. The level of fat content can change the texture of the end product.
• Spice it Up: Besides the option of using spicy sausage and spicy pimento cheese, you can also add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes for a spicier kick.
• Pimento Cheese Substitution: You can experiment with different pimento cheese flavors. Palmetto’s original, jalapeño, and p You can also omit the pimento cheese and instead use 1 1/4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 8 ounces cream cheese.
• Dipping Sauces: Pair your 3 ingredient sausage balls with a tangy dipping sauce like honey mustard, bbq sauce, or ranch dressing for an extra layer of flavor. It’s also excellent served with maple syrup.
• Seasoning Additions: You can add additional seasonings as desired such as garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, ground sage, or crushed red pepper flakes.

Common Sausage Ball Problems and Solutions

1. Sausage balls are too dry:
   • Problem: Overmixing the dough or using a lean sausage can result in dry sausage balls.
   • Solution: Mix the ingredients until just combined. Consider using a sausage with a slightly higher fat content or adding a bit of melted butter to the mixture.
2. Sausage balls are too greasy:
   • Problem: Using a sausage with a high-fat content can lead to greasy sausage balls.
   • Solution: Choose a sausage with a moderate fat content.
3. Sausage balls are unevenly cooked:
   • Problem: Placing sausage cheese balls too closely together on the baking sheet or not rolling equally sized balls can result in uneven cooking.
   • Solution: Ensure that there is enough space between each ball on the baking sheet to allow for even airflow. Use a cookie scoop to ensure consistent size.
4. Sausage balls are not holding their shape:
   • Problem: The mixture may be too wet or not well-chilled before baking.
   • Solution: Add baking mix or flour to the mixture if it’s too wet. Additionally, refrigerate the formed balls for at least 30 minutes before baking to help them hold their shape.
5. Sausage balls are too salty:
   • Problem: The sausage or cheese used may be high in salt content, or additional salt was added to the mixture.
   • Solution: Choose a sausage and cheese with lower salt content.
6. Sausage balls are undercooked or overcooked:
   • Problem: Baking times can vary depending on the size of the sausage balls and the oven temperature.
   • Solution: Follow the recommended baking time in the recipe, but keep an eye on the sausage balls and adjust the time as needed. They should be golden brown and cooked through.
7. Sausage balls are too dense:
   • Problem: Overmixing the dough can result in dense sausage balls.
   • Solution: Mix the ingredients until just combined to avoid overworking the dough. This helps maintain a lighter texture in the finished product.

Storage and Freezing

Refrigeration: Store leftover sausage balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 4 days. To reheat, place them in the oven or microwave until heated through.

Optional Day Before Prep: You can make the dough the day before, roll, and place the balls in an airtight container. That way, you can pull them from the refrigerator, transfer to a prepared sheet pan, and bake as directed.

Freezing: You can freeze uncooked sausage balls for future use. Place the raw rolled sausage balls in a parchment paper lined freezer-safe container, cover, and place in the freezer. They can be frozen up to 3 months.

Ready-to-Bake: When you’re ready to bake them, place your desired amount on a greased or non-stick foil lined sheet pan. You can bake them directly from the freezer or thaw overnight in the refrigerator. Add additional time if baking from the freezer.

What to Serve with Sausage Balls

These easy sausage balls are often served with breakfast, brunch, or as appetizers, so they pair well with dipping sauces like mustard, barbecue sauce, ranch, honey mustard, ketchup, or a spicy aioli. They can also be enjoyed dipped in maple syrup or on their own or with a side of pickles.

Other delicious breakfast recipes that I like to serve with spicy sausage balls are:

• Amish Baked Oatmeal
• Overnight Breakfast Casserole
• Bakery Style Strawberry Muffins
• Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins
• Holiday Coffee Cake

Appetizers that go well with spice sausage balls are:

• BLT Deviled Eggs
• Pimento Cheese Biscuits
• Simple Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Caramel Apple Dip

Frequently Asked Questions

More Easy Appetizer Recipes

• Mini Corn and Cheese Tarts
• Jalapeno Cranberry Salsa
• Herb and Onion Dip
• Pimento Cheese