My grandfather taught me this classic trick for neighborhood gatherings and you only need 3 ingredients

My grandfather used to say that when the neighbors are coming over, you don’t need fancy food, just something hot, hearty, and easy to pass around. These oven baked 3-ingredient beef sausage balls are exactly that. He taught me this little trick back when church potlucks and neighborhood card nights were the highlight of the week. With only ground beef sausage, a good sharp orange cheese, and a bit of baking mix, you can stir everything together, roll it into bite-sized balls, and bake them off until they’re browned and crispy on the outside and melty in the middle.

It’s the kind of simple Midwestern appetizer that fills a table and a room with warmth, without keeping you stuck in the kitchen.

Serve these beef sausage balls piled high in a warm bowl or on a platter with toothpicks for easy grabbing. They’re wonderful alongside a tray of raw veggies and ranch dip, a crockpot of chili, or a simple green salad. For dipping, set out small bowls of barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or a tangy marinara.

They’re just as welcome with a cold beer on game day as they are with coffee or punch at a church social. If any are left, they reheat nicely for breakfast with scrambled eggs and toast.

Oven Baked 3-Ingredient Beef Sausage Balls

Servings: 24–30 sausage balls

Ingredients
1 pound ground beef sausage (mild or hot, uncooked)
2 cups shredded sharp orange cheddar cheese, packed
1 1/2 cups dry baking mix (such as Bisquick or any all-purpose biscuit/pancake baking mix)
Directions