Cheddar Bay Biscuit sausage balls are a cheesy sausage ball recipe that makes the perfect appetizer for entertaining. A classic Red Lobster Cheddar Bay biscuit flavor comes through in these easy sausage balls. They have extra cheese and sausage for tons of extra flavor. There are only 4 things you need to make these cheesy sausage balls, and they taste great!
But you can’t dispute that Thanksgiving is fast approaching and that means the seasoning of entertaining is too.
When it’s time to have people over, I like to serve a lot of different appetizers while they wait for the main course.
Sausage balls are a classic appetizer that are easy to make and always a crowd pleaser. They are a tasty combination of sausage, cheese, and biscuit dough rolled into bite-sized balls and baked until golden brown While you can make sausage balls from scratch, using a store-bought biscuit mix like Red Lobster’s Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix makes the process even easier. In this article, we’ll explain how to make simple yet delicious sausage balls using Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix
For anyone who has dined at Red Lobster, the chain’s famous Cheddar Bay Biscuits likely need no introduction. These warm, soft biscuits are topped with a mixture of garlic, butter, and parsley and have become synonymous with Red Lobster. The biscuits are so popular that Red Lobster actually sells boxes of Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix in grocery stores, so you can bake up a batch at home.
The biscuit mix contains all the necessary dry ingredients like flour, salt, seasoning, and baking powder. All you need to add is butter and milk or water. The mix also comes with a packet of the signature Cheddar Bay seasoning blend to really replicate that iconic flavor. It’s an easy shortcut for making home-baked biscuits with that delicious Red Lobster essence.
Why Use Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix for Sausage Balls?
While from-scratch biscuit dough certainly can be used to make sausage balls, using an already prepared biscuit mix shortcuts a lot of the work. Specifically, Red Lobster’s Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix adds convenience along with its signature zesty flavor. The salty, garlicky notes enhance the sausage and cheese commonly used in sausage balls, taking the flavor up a notch.
Many home cooks and recipe bloggers have discovered that swapping out regular biscuit mix for Red Lobster’s Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix in sausage ball recipes is a simple way to transform an ordinary appetizer into something sensational. The rich, savory biscuit mix complements the sausage and cheese perfectly Just a few extra ingredients and a quick mix and shape, and you have seriously tasty Cheddar Bay sausage balls ready for the oven
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Sausage Balls with Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix
Making sausage balls with Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix takes just minutes and requires only a handful of ingredients. Here is an easy step-by-step guide:
Ingredients
- 1 box Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix
- 1 lb ground sausage (ground pork or turkey)
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 8 oz pepperjack cheese, shredded (optional for extra kick)
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
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In a large bowl, combine biscuit mix and sausage. Mix well with your hands until fully incorporated.
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Add the shredded cheeses and mix again until evenly distributed throughout the sausage mixture.
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Roll tablespoon-sized portions of the mixture into balls and place on the prepared baking sheet, spacing about 1/2 inch apart.
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Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
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Let cool slightly and serve warm.
That’s it! With just a few minutes of prep time, you can have a platter of warm, cheesy, and irresistibly flavorful sausage balls ready to serve. The Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix gives them a delicious boost of flavor that makes them stand out from plain old sausage balls.
Serving Suggestions and Adaptations
The basic sausage ball recipe above makes a great ready-to-serve appetizer on its own. However, there are plenty of ways to adapt them to suit your tastes or the occasion:
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Serve them on a platter with a ramekin of marinara sauce, ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, or other dipping sauce on the side.
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For a zestier flavor, use spicy pork sausage or add 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper to the mix.
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Stuff a cube of cheddar cheese inside each raw sausage ball before baking for a fun surprise.
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For a heartier appetizer, cut the baked sausage balls in half and serve slider-style on mini buns with desired toppings.
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Make smaller bite-sized versions to serve at a cocktail party.
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For a holiday twist, shape them into mini sausage balls “wreaths” on a baking sheet for a festive appetizer presentation.
The possibilities are endless! The convenience of the Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix makes it easy to get creative with flavors and shapes.
Tips for Making the Best Cheddar Bay Sausage Balls
Here are some helpful tips for ensuring your homemade sausage balls with Red Lobster biscuit mix come out perfectly:
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Be sure to use very cold butter and buttermilk or milk when making the biscuit dough. This helps create light, fluffy biscuits.
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Work the dough as little as possible when incorporating the wet ingredients. Overworking leads to tough biscuits.
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Mix the sausage mixture thoroughly so flavors are evenly distributed.
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Chill the sausage dough in the fridge for 30 minutes prior to rolling and baking. This helps the balls hold their shape better.
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Bake on parchment paper on a baking sheet for easy removal. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
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Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes until nicely browned all over. Underbaking leaves a raw sausage center.
Follow these tips and enjoy flawlessly baked, flavorful Cheddar Bay sausage balls every time. The convenience of the biscuit mix makes whipping up this appetizer a breeze.
Storing and Freezing Leftover Sausage Balls
One of the nice things about sausage balls is that they freeze well, so you can make a big batch and freeze extras to enjoy later. Here are some storage tips:
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Let sausage balls cool completely before freezing. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until firm.
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Transfer frozen balls to a freezer bag or airtight container, removing as much air as possible.
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Properly stored frozen sausage balls will keep for 2-3 months.
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To reheat, place frozen balls on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
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You can also reheat frozen sausage balls in the microwave, cooking in 30 second intervals until hot.
With some leftover Cheddar Bay sausage balls ready in the freezer, you’ll always have a tasty appetizer ready to bake and serve to guests.
Why Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix May Soon Be Harder to Find
While Red Lobster’s Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix has been a staple on grocery store shelves for years, some recent news indicates that finding it in stores soon may become more difficult.
In May 2024, Red Lobster filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. As part of a company restructuring plan, Red Lobster announced intentions to close nearly 50 restaurants across the country. Unfortunately, four locations in Arkansas were among those listed for closure, including the Little Rock, Springdale, Rogers and Texarkana restaurants.
When locations start shuttering in the coming months, it inevitably means we’ll see less Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix available on store shelves in those areas. Shoppers have already noted empty spots where the popular mix once sat in their local grocery stores.
While the mix likely won’t disappear completely, Red Lobster fans may need to become more diligent about snatching up a box when they do see it in stock. Grabbing an extra box or two to stash in the pantry or freezer ensures you’ll still be able to make those delicious Cheddar Bay sausage balls and biscuits at home.
Final Thoughts
Sausage balls are a humble yet tasty appetizer that are easy to make and always satisfy a crowd. Taking them up a notch by using flavor-packed Red Lobster Cheddar Bay Biscuit Mix transforms them into something sensational. The convenience of the boxed biscuit mix makes homemade sausage balls a breeze to whip up anytime.
With just a few simple ingredients and minutes of prep, you can have a platter of incredible sausage balls ready to serve. Their portability also makes them great for potlucks, parties, and other occasions. Just be sure to grab Red Lobster biscuit mix when you see it, as closures may soon make it harder to find. Follow the tips above and you’ll be able to consistently make irresistible Cheddar Bay sausage balls that will be a major hit.
How To Store Leftover Cooked Sausage Balls:
When we serve this recipe, we almost never have leftovers, but when we do, we’re not going to throw them away.
They’re just too good to even consider tossing.
Cooked sausage balls are super easy to safely store.
Once completely cooled, store them in a sealed tupperware container.
You can even use a large zip-locking bag, just squeeze excess air out as you seal it.
Refrigerate the leftovers for up to five days safely.
You can put them in the microwave or toaster oven until they’re warm again when you’re ready to eat them again.
To reheat them, I wouldn’t suggest putting them in the main oven because you don’t want them to get hard and dry.
Even though these cheddar bay biscuit sausage balls are our favorite, we love pretty much all sausage ball recipes.
We’re equal opportunity sausage ball enthusiasts.
What to Serve with Sausage Balls:
I’d serve these sausage balls as an appetizer for any holiday entertaining.
And the dipping possibilities are endless!
You could pair them with almost any dip you like including:
CHEDDAR BAY SAUSAGE BALLS Make them Once..Make them for life! #sausage
Can you use Red Lobster biscuit mix to make sausage balls?
Use Red Lobster Biscuit Mix for the best sausage balls with this easy recipe. These cheddar bay sausage balls are basted with a seasoned butter. Meat balls are always a crowd favorite at any party or gathering. Normally I would add different seasonings and herbs to ground beef or ground sausage to make meat balls.
How do you make lobster biscuits with sausage?
Add the ground sausage, egg, and shredded cheese to the bowl. Beat the cheese, egg, sausage, and red lobster biscuit mix on low speed until the mixture is fully combined. Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to form the mixture into balls. Roll each ball until it’s smooth and stays together.
Are Red Lobster sausage balls gluten-free?
For gluten-free sausage balls, use a box of the gluten-free Red Lobster biscuit mix. These sausage balls are dangerously delicious. They are my go-to party appetizer. These and Crack Dip, of course! I also love them on Christmas morning! We eat the balls plain.
What kind of sausage do you use for Cheddar Bay sausage balls?
I used a box of the Red Lobster Biscuit mix for the Cheddar Bay part of the sausage balls. You can find the biscuit mix in the baking aisle at the grocery store. I used a roll of Jimmy Dean hot sausage. You can use any brand of breakfast sausage or Italian sausage. Do NOT cook the sausage. You are using the sausage raw.