Jimmy Dean Sausage Cheese Balls

By lacyb123

Ingredients

• # 2 16-oz pkg Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage
• # 1-1/2 cups all-purpose baking mix
• # 4 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• # 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• # 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
• # 2 teaspoons black pepper
• # 2 teaspoons minced garlic (optional)
• ========================
• Note: Buy "original" flavor sausage.
• ========================

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375 F. Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl; stir well. Form into 1" balls. Place on ungreased baking sheet; bake 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven; cool 5 minutes before removing from pan. Serve with cocktail forks or toothpicks. Servings: 6-9 Dozen


Note:
May be prepared ahead and frozen uncooked (Don't do what I did and toss them all into a large zip lock bag. Its almost impossible to defrost a wad of sausage balls! LOL).

To bake from frozen: thaw on baking sheet 15 minutes; bake in preheated oven 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Variation: for firmer texture, add 3 cups baking mix and 2 cups shredded cheese to the ingredients listed above.