Sausage Balls

Ingredients

• 1 pound of ground pork sausage
• 2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon of baking powder
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• ½ teaspoon of black pepper
• Optional: 4 ounces of cream cheese, softened
• Optional: 1 teaspoon of dried herbs (such as thyme or oregano)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork sausage and shredded cheddar cheese. If using, add the softened cream cheese at this stage for a creamier texture.
3. In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir in the dried herbs if you're including them for extra flavor.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the sausage mixture, mixing thoroughly with your hands until well combined. The dough should be slightly sticky but workable.
5. Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls using your hands or a small cookie scoop for uniformity.
6. Place the sausage balls onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow for even cooking.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the sausage balls are golden brown and cooked through.
8. Remove from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a serving platter.