Savory Sausage Ranch Stars
Indulge in these delightful Savory Sausage Ranch Stars, perfect for parties and gatherings! These little bites packed with flavor combine the richness of sausage and melted cheese with a savory ranch dressing for a finger-licking appetizer. Prepare the wonton wrappers and sausage mixture in advance for an effortless cooking experience. Pop them in the oven just five minutes before serving to enjoy a warm, golden treat. Whether you opt for breakfast sausage, Italian sausage, or bratwurst, these bites are bound to impress your guests. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce for an extra layer of flavor!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cooked crumbled sausage meat
1 lb (2 cups cooked, casings removed)
Sharp cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups (grated)
Monterey Jack cheese
1 1/2 cups (grated)
Hidden Valley Original Ranch salad dressing
1 cup (prepared from mix)
Sliced black olives
1 (2 1/4 ounce) can (drained)
Chopped sweet red pepper
1/2 cup (freshly chopped)
Wonton wrappers
1 (60 count) package (unwrapped)
Vegetable oil
as needed (for greasing and brushing)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained, cooked sausage meat with the grated sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, Hidden Valley Original Ranch salad dressing, sliced black olives, and chopped sweet red pepper. Mix until well combined.
3
Lightly coat mini muffin tins with vegetable oil. Place a wonton wrapper into each muffin cup, pressing it down gently to allow some of the edges to stick out, forming 'wings'.
4
Brush the exposed edges of the wonton wrappers lightly with vegetable oil.
5
Bake the wonton wrappers in the preheated oven for about 5 minutes or until they turn golden and slightly crispy.
6
Once baked, carefully remove the wrappers from the mini muffin tin and arrange them on a baking sheet.
7
Spoon the sausage and cheese mixture into each wonton wrapper, filling them generously.
8
Return the filled wraps to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
9
Serve hot and enjoy your Savory Sausage Ranch Stars!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Savory Sausage Ranch Stars?
Savory Sausage Ranch Stars are delightful bite-sized appetizers featuring a mixture of sausage, cheese, and ranch dressing inside crispy wonton wrappers.
What type of sausage is best for this recipe?
You can use breakfast sausage, Italian sausage, or even bratwurst depending on your flavor preference.
What ingredients are needed for the filling?
The filling consists of cooked sausage, sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, ranch dressing, black olives, and sweet red pepper.
How many wonton wrappers does this recipe require?
This recipe uses one 60-count package of wonton wrappers.
What temperature should I preheat my oven to?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
How do I prepare the wonton wrappers for baking?
Place a wonton wrapper into a lightly oiled mini muffin cup, pressing it down so the edges stick out like wings.
Do I need to grease the muffin tin?
Yes, lightly coat the mini muffin tins with vegetable oil to prevent sticking.
How long do the wonton wrappers bake initially?
Bake the empty wrappers for about 5 minutes or until they are golden and slightly crispy.
What should I do after the initial baking of the wrappers?
Carefully remove the wrappers from the muffin tin and arrange them on a separate baking sheet before filling.
How much sausage meat is used?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of cooked crumbled sausage meat, which is approximately 2 cups.
What kind of ranch dressing is recommended?
Hidden Valley Original Ranch salad dressing prepared from a mix is recommended for the best flavor.
Can I use different types of cheese?
The recipe uses a combination of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese for a balanced, melty texture.
How much cheese is required?
You will need 1 1/2 cups of grated sharp cheddar and 1 1/2 cups of grated Monterey Jack cheese.
Should the black olives be prepared in a certain way?
Yes, use one 2 1/4 ounce can of sliced black olives and ensure they are well drained.
How should the red pepper be prepared?
Use 1/2 cup of freshly chopped sweet red pepper for the filling.
Can I prepare the sausage mixture in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the sausage and cheese mixture ahead of time for easier assembly later.
How do I assemble the stars?
Spoon the sausage and cheese mixture generously into each pre-baked wonton wrapper.
How long do the stars bake after being filled?
Bake the filled stars for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Are these appetizers served hot or cold?
These are best served hot immediately after the final baking step.
Can I serve these with a dipping sauce?
Yes, they can be served with your favorite dipping sauce for an extra layer of flavor.
Is vegetable oil needed for the wrappers?
Yes, brush the exposed edges of the wonton wrappers lightly with vegetable oil before the first bake.
What size muffin tin is needed?
A mini muffin tin is the perfect size for these appetizers.
Should the sausage be cooked before mixing?
Yes, the sausage meat must be cooked, crumbled, and have the casings removed before being added to the bowl.
Is this recipe suitable for parties?
Absolutely, these 'stars' are perfect for parties, gatherings, and as savory snacks.
How much ranch dressing is used?
The recipe requires 1 cup of prepared ranch dressing.
What gives the 'stars' their shape?
The 'star' shape comes from the corners of the wonton wrappers sticking out of the mini muffin cups.
Can I substitute the red pepper?
While the recipe calls for sweet red pepper, you could use green pepper or pimentos as a variation.
How do I know when the wontons are done?
They are done when the edges are golden brown and the cheese filling is bubbly.
Can I use pre-shredded cheese?
Yes, though freshly grated cheese often melts more smoothly in the oven.
How many servings does this recipe make?
The recipe uses a 60-count package of wontons, making approximately 60 individual stars.