Sausage Stars

These Sausage Stars are a fancy looking appetizer, perfect for happy hour!

Sausage Wonton Stars are a savory handheld appetizer that are perfect to serve for happy hour, game day, or any party you can think of!

Ready in just 30 minutes total time (with a 15 minute prep time), this fast recipe results in a delicious finger food that all of your guests will love!

Why You’ll Love this Sausage Wonton Stars Appetizer

We love this Sausage Stars recipe! Easy to make, they only take 15 minutes to prepare. Another 15 minutes for baking and they’re ready to be set out on a pretty serving platter and served to your guests. Serve these warm, right out of the oven!

They’re tasty, filling and perfect along with a glass of wine or a pre-dinner cocktail like these Skinny Bitch cocktails or Cranberry Mimosas.

This recipe makes 40 Sausage Stars, but you don’t have to eat them all at one sitting. Although you might, because they are THAT good.

Freeze extra portions for next week if you have any left over. Just be sure to store in an airtight container. Pull out as many as needed and warm them up!

Why not pair these with an adorable heart shaped charcuterie board loaded with meats, cheese, crackers and candies too!

Jimmy Dean Sausage Stars Ingredients

• pork sausage – we used Jimmy Dean pork sausage. Any type of regular pork breakfast sausage will work!
• shredded cheddar cheese – gives your sausage cups a melty and cheesy quality that makes them so comforting. We use sharp cheddar cheese.
• packaged ranch dressing – Hidden Valley ranch salad dressing mix is great, but any brand works!
• package wonton wrappers – a perfect shortcut to make these sausage filled stars so easy to prepare.
• vegetable oil – ensures everything gets hot and crispy.
• green onions – provide some color contrast, as well as a subtle but delicious onion flavor that pairs well with the other flavors.
• red bell pepper – for a pop of red and additional flavor that goes well with the sausage.

How to Make Hidden Valley Ranch Sausage Stars

Prepare the Wontons

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray, to lightly grease the whole pan.
2. Add a wonton wrapper to each muffin tin and press it into place. Be sure to have the sides of the won ton stick up on the sides of the muffin tin compartments. You’re basically making wonton cups for the sausage filling to sit in.
3. Lightly brush the won ton wrappers with vegetable oil.
4. Bake the wontons in a 350 degree oven for 5 minutes or just until the corners begin to turn golden brown. Keep an eye on them as you want to remove them before they turn too dark.
5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Once won ton wrappers have finished baking, carefully remove them from the muffin tins and place them onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Set aside for filling later.

Prepare the Filling

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown sausage. One to two minutes before the meat is finished cooking, add the diced red bell pepper.
2. Finish cooking the sausage and pepper together.
3. In a large mixing bowl, prepare the ranch dressing according to the package directions.
4. Now add the cooked sausage and pepper mixture, shredded cheese, and chopped green onions. Stir well together to combine all the ingredients.
   

   Mix ingredients together well.

   Fill the won tons with a tablespoon of the sausage mixture. Add more if desired, but one tablespoon should be good.

5. Bake for 5-10 minutes in a 350 degree oven until warmed through and the cheese melts. Transfer to a serving platter and you’re done!
   

   Serve warm right out of the oven.

6. This sausage star appetizer is best served right out of the oven. Pair with other appetizers like homemade Salt and Vinegar popcorn, French Onion Dip or Grape Jelly Meatballs, or serve with a refreshing Cream Cheese Fruit Dip for some sweetness on the side.

FAQs

Can I make the sausage stars with a mini muffin tin?

Yes you bet! Either a regular size muffin tin or a mini muffin pan will work for these appetizers. This is an excellent way to quickly and easily make the wonton cups before loading them up with the sausage filling.

If you don’t have a mini muffin pan, you may be able to use silicone cupcake liners lined up on a baking sheet. Just be aware that cooking times can vary if you use different equipment.

What other kind of sausage can I use?

You can use any kind of pork sausage, such as breakfast sausage for this recipe; Italian sausage is hot and spicy and would taste delicious! You could even try a chorizo or a bratwurst to add different twists to this recipe and channel flavors from specific cultures.

What can I substitute for wonton wrappers?

If you’re unable to locate wonton wrappers, there are a number of other options that can achieve the same effect. Try gyoza wrappers, spring roll wraps, shumai wrappers, rice paper, or egg roll wrappers.

You can also make these sausage stars in phyllo cups, which are pre-made and will get nice and crispy in the oven.

Popular Variations and Substitutions

• Want to save time? Buy the fully cooked Jimmy Dean sausage crumbles at the store instead and save the cooking time.
• Other varieties of cheese also work great for this appetizer. Try mozzarella, colby cheese, pepper jack, Monterey jack cheese, or a blend of your favorites!
• For more flavor, add additional ingredients like mushrooms, olives, or other colors of bell pepper.
• Serve alongside sour cream, olives, and more cheese blend for extra toppings if you like.
• Baked wonton cups can be filled with a number of other fillings aside from taco meat – if you like shrimp, be sure to try these Shrimp Wonton Cups.

This Jimmy Dean Sausage Wontons recipe is a fancy looking appetizer that is perfect for entertaining!

Hidden Valley Sausage Stars Appetizer

 

 

 

originally published Jan 2022; latest update Nov 2024