- 1 pound breakfast sausage
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups baking mix, such as Bisquick
Optional additions include garlic powder, green onions, jalapeños, crushed red pepper, or smoked paprika.
How to Make Them
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
Cook the sausage in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small pieces until completely browned. Drain the excess grease and let it cool slightly.
Combine the cooked sausage with the cheddar and baking mix. The mixture may initially seem thick or somewhat crumbly, but avoid adding unnecessary liquid.
Transfer everything to the prepared baking dish and press it evenly into the corners.
Bake for approximately 20–25 minutes, until golden and cooked through in the center.
Allow the pan to cool for several minutes before slicing into squares. Smaller pieces work especially well for appetizers.
Tips for Better Sausage Squares
Drain the sausage well. Excess grease can make the finished squares oily and heavy.
Don’t use too much baking mix. Extra mix can produce dry, dense squares.
Try freshly shredded cheese. It generally melts more smoothly than packaged pre-shredded cheese.
Let them rest before cutting. The squares are soft immediately after baking but firm as they cool.
Easy Variations
For more heat, use spicy breakfast sausage or add chopped jalapeños.
You can replace some of the cheddar with pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, or Colby. Green onions or sautéed onions also add extra savory flavor.
For a smokier version, try smoked cheddar or a small amount of smoked paprika.
Serving Ideas
Serve the squares warm alongside scrambled eggs, fruit, hash browns, biscuits, or other breakfast favorites.
For parties, cut them into smaller bites and serve with hot sauce, ranch, honey mustard, or another dipping sauce.
Make-Ahead and Storage
The sausage can be cooked and refrigerated ahead of time, then combined with the remaining ingredients shortly before baking.
Leftover squares can be refrigerated in an airtight container and gently reheated in the oven. They can also be frozen in individual portions, thawed in the refrigerator, and reheated when needed.
Common Questions
Can I use turkey sausage?
Yes. Turkey breakfast sausage works, although the finished texture may be slightly leaner.
Which cheese works best?
Cheddar is the classic choice, but Colby, Monterey Jack, pepper Jack, or blends can also work.
Why did mine turn out dry?
Too much baking mix or excessive baking time are the most likely causes.
Why are they greasy?
The sausage probably wasn’t drained thoroughly enough.
Can I make appetizer-sized pieces?
Yes. Bake everything as one slab, allow it to cool slightly, then cut it into small squares.
The Bottom Line
These cheesy sausage squares are about as straightforward as homemade breakfast food gets:
Brown the sausage, mix it with cheddar and baking mix, press into a pan, and bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes.
Three ingredients, minimal preparation, and a tray of warm, cheesy, savory bites that can feed a crowd.