The sausage balls you find at just about any party, reception, shower or tea in the South usually contain a few standard ingredients: breakfast sausage, baking mix (like Bisquick) and cheddar cheese. Then my wife said, “What if you added pizza flavors to sausage balls?” The result was these Pizza Sausage Balls, with ground Italian sausage, minced pepperoni, cream cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses and some warm pizza sauce for dipping.

Have fun trying a variety of warm pizza dipping sauces for just the right taste. (Southern Bite)

Pizza Sausage Balls

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

Total time: 45 minutes

Serves: 40 balls

Ingredients

• 1 (3.5-ounce) package pepperoni
• 1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese, softened
• 1 pound ground Italian sausage
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 2 cups baking mix (like Bisquick)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese (not grated)
• Prepared pizza sauce for dipping

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a few sheet pans with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.
• Use a food processor or small food chopper to chop the pepperoni into tiny pieces.
• Use a stand mixer or hand mixer to combine the cream cheese, chopped pepperoni, sausage, garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
• Add the baking mix and mix to combine. Add the cheese and mix to combine.
• Roll the dough into 1 1/2-inch balls and place them about 2 inches apart on the baking sheets.
• I like to use a cookie scoop to keep them uniform.
• Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
• Serve alongside some warm pizza sauce for dipping.

This recipe originally appeared on SouthernBite.com. For more great recipes, visit the website or check out ”The Southern Bite Cookbook.”