1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheet

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven is heating up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This will help prevent the sausage balls from sticking and make cleanup easier.

2. Mix the Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, breakfast sausage, and shredded cheddar cheese. Use your hands or a spoon to mix everything together until the meats and cheese are evenly incorporated.

Next, add the flour, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme (if using), salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using) to the meat mixture. Mix everything together until all the dry ingredients are evenly distributed. The dough will be thick and a little sticky, but it should hold together well.

3. Form the Sausage Balls

Once the mixture is well combined, it’s time to form the sausage balls. Using your hands, take about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Place the ball onto the prepared baking sheet. Continue rolling the rest of the mixture into balls, spacing them about 1 inch apart on the baking sheet. You should end up with around 24 sausage balls, depending on the size you make them.

4. Bake the Sausage Balls

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the sausage balls for 25-30 minutes, or until they are golden brown on the outside and cooked through on the inside. The exact baking time will vary depending on the size of your sausage balls, so check for doneness by cutting one open to make sure it’s fully cooked. The internal temperature of the sausage balls should reach at least 160°F (71°C) when measured with a meat thermometer.

5. Serve and Enjoy

Once the sausage balls are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet. This will allow them to firm up slightly, making them easier to handle. Serve the sausage balls warm, either on their own or with your favorite dipping sauce, such as ketchup, ranch dressing, or a spicy mustard.