Add a touch of gourmet flair to your festive meals with these savory cheese balls, inspired by Marijana’s recipe, now featuring sausage, for an extra layer of flavor. Perfect for spreading on bread or crackers, these cheese balls can also be enjoyed as a standalone snack or paired with various side dishes.
The key to their perfect texture lies in adjusting the dry ingredients based on the moisture content of your chosen cream cheese or cottage cheese. Chilling the mixture before shaping ensures the ideal creamy consistency.
Quick to prepare in just about 30 minutes, you can roll them in different toppings like pomegranate, walnuts, or parsley for a customized taste experience. Don’t miss out on trying the pomegranate version for its unique and delicious flavor!
Cheese Balls with Sausage Recipe
Ingredients:
- 14 oz cream cheese or cottage cheese
- 3.5 oz sour cream
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 3 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 Tbsp ground walnuts
- 3 Tbsp ground crackers
- 3 Tbsp finely chopped sausage
- A pinch of fresh thyme
- A pinch each of black pepper and sweet paprika
- For Rolling: Pomegranate seeds, coarsely chopped walnuts, and finely chopped parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 14 oz of cream cheese or cottage cheese with 3.5 oz of sour cream and 1 Tbsp of Dijon mustard. Blend these together until smooth.
- Gradually mix in 3 Tbsp of grated Parmesan cheese, 3 Tbsp of ground walnuts, 3 Tbsp of ground crackers, and 3 Tbsp of finely chopped sausage.
- Season the mixture with a pinch each of fresh thyme, black pepper, and sweet paprika. Stir well.
- Keep mixing until the ingredients are thoroughly combined and the mixture achieves a thick consistency suitable for shaping.
- Chill for Easy Shaping:
- For easier shaping, cover the bowl and refrigerate the mixture for 1 to 2 hours. This step helps in firming up the mixture.
- Shape and Roll the Cheese Balls:
- Once chilled, take the mixture out of the refrigerator. Scoop out portions of about 1 to 1.4 oz each.
- Roll each portion into a ball shape using your hands.
- Coat each ball by rolling it in a bowl of pomegranate seeds, coarsely chopped walnuts, or finely chopped parsley. You can choose one coating or a mix of all three for variety.
- Refrigerate Until Serving:
- Place the finished cheese balls on a plate or in a container.
- Store them in the refrigerator until it’s time to serve. This will help maintain their shape and freshness.
Enjoy these delightful cheese ball bites as a tasty appetizer or snack at your next gathering!
Toss this Sausage Cheese Ball recipe onto your Pinterest board. It’s a ‘grate’ way to share the cheese and spread some smiles!
