Alright, my friends, let me introduce you to a snack that’s going to rock your world – the Hot Sausage Pick-Ups! These little morsels of joy have a special place in my heart (and stomach). They’re a fantastic blend of sharp cheese and spicy sausage, wrapped up in a flaky, biscuit mix crust. Originating from the Southern United States, these flavorful bites have been a crowd-pleaser at family gatherings, potlucks, and game nights for decades. I particularly love them because they’re not only delicious but also super easy to make. Plus, you can make a big batch and freeze them, then just pop them in the oven when you need a quick snack. Trust me, once you taste these Hot Sausage Pick-Ups, you’ll understand why they’re a staple in Southern comfort food!
Ingredients
- 10 oz. sharp cheese, grated
- 3 c. biscuit mix
- 1 lb. extra hot bulk sausage (uncooked; Jimmy Dean, etc.)
Baking Instructions
- Melt cheese over hot water.
- Add and work in biscuit mix and sausage.
- Shape into bite-sized balls.
- Bake at 350° for 10 to 15 minutes, until golden brown.
- Freeze unbaked balls. Take out and bake as needed.
- When using frozen, baked at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes.
Calorie: 150
Total cooking time: 30 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
A Cheesy Affair with Hot Sausage Pick-Ups
Oh boy, get ready for a tale that’s as saucy as it is cheesy! Today, we’re making Hot Sausage Pick-Ups, a recipe that involves sharp cheese, biscuit mix, and sausage. What’s not to love?
The Ingredients Take the Stage
To start with, we need **10 oz. of sharp cheese, grated,** because, let’s face it, life is just better with cheese. And not just any cheese, but sharp cheese. The kind that bites back when you take a nibble. Then we have **3 cups of biscuit mix** – the secret weapon that’s going to hold our little cheesy sausage balls together. And last, but certainly not the least, our star of the show, **1 lb. of extra hot bulk sausage.** I’m talking the uncooked, Jimmy Dean type. The kind that makes your taste buds do a little dance.
Now, We’re Cooking!
Let’s kick things off by melting our sharp cheese over hot water, because nothing says “I’m a culinary genius” like a pot of molten cheese. Remember, this isn’t a fondue party, so resist the urge to start dipping random food items into it.
The Magic Mix
Next, let’s add the biscuit mix and sausage into our cheesy lava. Work it in, embrace the messiness. You’re not really cooking unless there’s a chance you’ll have to change your clothes afterwards, right?
Shaping the Future
Now, it’s time to get creative! Shape the mixture into bite-sized balls. As for what constitutes ‘bite-sized’, that’s up to you, my friend. Are we talking hamster bite-sized? Or perhaps T-Rex bite-sized? Your kitchen, your rules!
The Oven Awaits
Once you’re satisfied with your army of cheesy sausage orbs, send them to the oven. Bake at 350° for 10 to 15 minutes, until they’ve reached that perfect golden brown hue. This is the part where you have to resist the temptation to open the oven door every two minutes. Patience, my friend, is a virtue.
Freeze! You’re Under Arrest
Now here comes the plot twist: we’re freezing the unbaked balls. Yes, you heard me right. We’re freezing them. Why? Well, because future-you will thank present-you when you suddenly crave a hot sausage pick-up at 2 a.m. Just take them out and bake as needed. When using frozen, bake at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes. Trust me, the wait will be worth it.
And… Voila!
And there you have it! Hot Sausage Pick-Ups, a dish that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. A word of caution though, these little devils are so addictive, you might end up making a batch every week! But hey, there are worse habits to have, right?
So go forth, fellow food enthusiasts, and spread the joy of sharp cheese, biscuit mix, and sausage. Happy cooking!
