Sausage Wonton Stars

Whenever we have guests over for a party or event, the inevitable “what should we make” question arises. More often than not the answer is the same as the last time we had a gathering. And the time before that. It’s sometimes hard to try something new when you have guests, so you stick to what works. These sausage stars will bring a tasty change-up to your tired repertoire. They are easy to make and incredibly delicious. Sausage stars are sure to become a massive hit while refreshing your appetizer arsenal.

Crispy wonton wrappers filled with a savory sausage filling, these bite-sized appetizers will be the first to go at the party. The flavors of this recipe are simple but delicious. Spicy sausage, melty cheese and cool ranch dressing combine to become a powerhouse of flavor that will ensure every last one of these bite-sized treats are eaten before they’ve had a chance to cool off.

Ingredients for Sausage Stars

• Wonton wrappers: Store-bought wonton wrappers bake to become bite-sized star cups.
• Pork sausage: Bulk pork sausage (ground sausage without casing)  is the primary filling for these wonton cups. Sausage comes in many varieties and flavor profiles, so either choose your favorite or buy breakfast or just “ground sausage.”
• Cheese: Shredded Colby cheese is milder than cheddar, its yellow cousin. It melts well and is a creamy, buttery foil to the spiciness of the sausage.
• Peppers: Chopped red and green bell peppers add color, sweetness and a slight crunch to the sausage filling.
• Green onion: With long, thin leaves and thin, firm white stalks, green onions are harvested early and are less pungent than other onions. Scallions will also work in this recipe.
• Ranch dressing: Adding ranch dressing to the sausage while it’s cooking is a fantastic way to impart creamy, herbal flavor to the savory sausage. It may seem unusual to add salad dressing at this stage of cooking but trust us, it’s a great technique to infuse additional flavor to the sausage.

Directions

Step 1: Bake the star cups

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Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Lightly spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray. Remove a wonton wrapper from the package and gently press it into the muffin tin, creating small folds to fit against the sides of the cups. Place the wraps into the oven and bake for five minutes or until the edges are browned.

Step 2: Make the filling and fill

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Crumble the sausage into a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the sausage, breaking it into small crumbles until it’s completely browned with no pink showing. Drain the fat and return the skillet to the heat. Stir in the diced peppers, continuing to cook for another minute until the peppers soften slightly. Remove from the heat and stir in the shredded cheese, green onion and ranch dressing until combined.

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Spoon one rounded tablespoon into each wonton cup. Place the muffin tin back into the oven and bake for six to seven minutes until heated through and the cheese is bubbly. Serve while hot to the awaiting masses.

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Sausage Stars Variations

• Make Buffalo chicken stars: Replace the pork sausage with chicken sausage or ground chicken. Add Buffalo sauce, blue cheese crumbles and ranch dressing.
• Try it with shrimp: For a seafood twist on the wonton stars, substitute the sausage with chopped shrimp and follow the recipe accordingly. Try adding diced mango to provide a tropical flavor to the wonton cups.
• Make them vegetarian: For a vegetarian-friendly version, substitute a plant-based sausage alternative and follow the recipe. You can also use spinach and artichokes or diced mushrooms as meat replacements.

How to Store Sausage Stars

Chances are you won’t have any leftovers. However, if you find yourself with a couple you forgot to put out, store them in an airtight container and place them in the refrigerator for up to two days. To reheat, pop them in the oven or air fryer and bake until heated through. Be careful not overbake or the wonton wrappers may burn.

Can I freeze sausage stars?

We don’t recommend freezing the finished wonton stars because the freezing and thawing will affect the integrity of the wrapper. However, you can make and freeze the sausage filling ahead of time so it’s ready to go whenever you need it.

Sausage Stars Tips

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Is there a sauce that pairs well these?

As with chicken nuggets, the sky’s the limit on dipping sauces. These wonton cups work well with spicy sauces such as Buffalo, Thai chili and green curry. You can also try a sesame vinaigrette or more ranch dressing.

Can I use different cheeses?

Sure. Just make sure it’s a cheese that melts well. Monterry jack or provolone are two excelleing options. For a different flavor profile, try using goat cheese or smoked gouda.

How do I keep the wonton wrappers from drying out?

Wonton wrappers can get dry when left out too long. One way to keep them from drying out when making the sausage stars is to cover the open wrappers with a damp kitchen towel when you’re not working with them. This will keep them moist and prevent them from ripping or cracking while you’re using them.