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Amish Sausage Balls

- YIELDS
- 26 to 28 balls
- COOK TIME
- 30 Min
This Pennsylvania Dutch recipe for Amish Sausage Balls is so versatile! Whether as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or as a robust main dish, the Amish country flavors come through as loud and clear as the sound of a horse and buggy coming down a country road.
What You'll Need
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casing removed
- 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 cups ketchup
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
What to Do
-
In a large bowl, combine sausage, bread crumbs, onion, and egg; mix well then form into 1/2-inch balls.
-
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil; brown sausage balls 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine remaining ingredients; mix well. Pour over sausage balls, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 20 to 25 minutes, or until no longer pink in center. Serve immediately.
Notes
-
These are traditionally served over rice or curly noodles. However, we also found these perfect as an appetizer served on toothpicks.
-
If you want to make these ahead of time, that's fine. Just reheat on a baking sheet in a 250 degree oven.
- If you liked this Amish recipe, be sure to try our Amish Beef Barley Soup!

Grilling Guy
Dec 30, 2018
Haven't made this yet. Looking at the picture and watching the video the meatballs look larger than 1/2 inch. they look closer to 1-inch. Which are they?
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Test Kitchen Team
Jan 02, 2019
Hi there! Sometimes the lighting and camera work can make things look bigger. We made 26 meatballs at about 1/2-inch size. However, you can always make them bigger if you prefer!
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KitchenKat
Feb 12, 2017
Another great recipe! We love these, served over egg noodles the 1st time, served along side mashed potatoes 2nd time, and alone as appetizers 3rd time. Only change was using less ketchup. Delicious!
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AUDIOMIND
Jul 17, 2015
Any substitute for the ketchup that would work?
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Test Kitchen Team
Jul 20, 2015
Since the main ingredient in this sauce is ketchup, our recommendation if you prefer not to use it is to change the entire sauce. Maybe you could try spaghetti sauce or sweet and sour sauce. Thank you for your question!
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pittsburghlinda226 2114008
Sep 18, 2013
Made this last week and my husband and I really enjoyed. Very tasty! My mother-in-law even tryed some and said it's her favorite of the new recipes I've tryed lately.
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Jobee
Sep 12, 2013
Meant to say are "not" real spicy eaters. When I end up making the sauce for these, I will probably add some "liquid smoke" flavor, also.
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Jobee
Sep 12, 2013
I purchased hot Italian and sweet Italian sausage and combined to tone down the hot, as some family members are real spicy eaters. Have made the balls and placed them on a cookie sheet to bake in the oven. I am then going to freeze them and will have them to take out when I want to make the sauce and put them in it. I can also use them in spaghetti sauce. Will post later as to how this works. Made a double recipe of meatballs.
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joycefish37 2246787
Sep 11, 2013
Great recipes love watching Mr Food on T V
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jodidruss 7393776
Sep 10, 2013
Very good!. Yes, they are not traditional Amish. However, on television he stated these were their take on the Amish version.
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cken
Sep 10, 2013
I totally agree with prettygoodcook. I see nothing Amish in this recipe. I was raised in Amish country and never knew that sect to make anything like this. However, it sounds good Amish or not.
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Mommy that Cooks
Sep 10, 2013
Excellent....that's all I can say about it.
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prettygoodcook 0949373
Apr 11, 2013
We love Italian Sausage and I will make this recipe soon; but I doubt that any of the Amish in my acquaintance ever use Italian sausage or even soy sauce. They make their own wonderful sausage (from their own pigs) with minimal seasonings - it's wonderful, too, but theirs and Italian each stand alone on their own merits, in my opinion. I will probably label this recipe "Mr. Food's Italian Balls" when I print it out and put in my 3-ring binder of MANY Mr. Food recipes (as well as other web sites). Thank you, Mr. Food, for adding so many good recipes for wonderful foods to our lives!
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cindywilsey 8277665
Dec 12, 2016
I smiled as I read your comment. I concur that this seems a good recipe, but not Amish. Pennsyvannia Dutch possibly, but Amish never. Indeed, I have come to think of any recipe I see here labled Amish as more or less PA Dutch.
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bvilla04 0854187
Feb 21, 2013
This is the same sauce I use for egg roll dipping sauce (duck sauce). Definite Asian flair of the sweet and sour.
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Hands across the sea
Dec 29, 2012
I think this is a super recipe whether you are entertaining a crowd or just a family dinner. From appetiser to basic meal.......very versatile!!!!
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Jbessjr 2476113
Aug 12, 2012
Just made this. Did the meat a bit differently, however, the sauce was the bomb. Everyone loved it. Would recommend the dish and will make it again..
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