These savory sausage bites are a perfect pairing of meaty sausage with melty cheese. The Italian flavor packed into these petite packages was inspired by San Diego's Gaslamp district, a historic region known largely as the seaside spot where fine diners and club-goers comingle. The Italian charm in the area has recently localized quite a bit into the adjacent region known as Little Italy.
Little Italy is actually one of our favorite spots in San Diego. If you want a party, laid-back vibe, kid-friendly space and the best gelato in the area somehow all rolled into one…this is your spot. There are some really awesome hotels in the area, but it's new enough that it hasn't yet been totally overwhelmed with tourists. If you DO want to see the touristy hot spots, the Gaslamp is just a quick bike ride (or a long walk) away.
Now that you have some context…on to the sausage bites!
Sausage Bites fit for a Party
I've explained that I like to throw parties to showcase really tasty regional dishes. It's kind of a thing I do. When there's an event, when friends are in town, sometimes when I'm just bored and looking for something to do. And these are perfect! These bite-sized appetizers can be whipped up in bulk – even made ahead – and they use items that we pretty much always have in our house.
Sausage Bites So Easy a Kid Could Make Them
The technique used to make these sausage bites is as old as time. Mix up the meat and seasonings and roll it all into little balls. Our boys love to help out in the kitchen, and meatballs are one of their favorite family dishes. These sausage bites follow the exact same format, but they turn out nice and fancy and impressive for a party. It's a great way to show kids how their techniques in the kitchen can serve multiple purposes!
Looking to keep your kids busy while the food cooks? load up on Kids craft essentials!
I could personally think of so many fun ways to keep the Italian theme going at your party. Watch some mafia movies, play that mafia game, discover some of the best opera singers in history, try some olive oil and balsamic vinegar tastings – and don't forget the wine! You could even keep the ball rolling with some fun wine bottle crafts.
Whatever your party entails, you know for sure that the food will be good. These will definitely be a family favorite for years to come!
Pin these Sausage Bites for Later
We keep these on file for any last-minute party needs, since it's such an easy recipe. You can even whip up a big batch of our epic spaghetti sauce and have Italian dishes all week long! And if you're big on sausage, don't miss our delicious summer sausage salad.
Have you ever made sausage bites? What's your favorite sausage recipe?