Cheesy Sausage Stars

A little something for your holiday entertaining

Crispy baked wonton cups are filled with a cheesy sausage, onion, and garlic mixture. These little gems make a great finger food appetizer for parties or any other special occasion.



Prep Time: 30 minutes  
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 48 appetizers


Ingredients

• 1 pound bulk sausage  
• 1/2 cup chopped sweet red bell pepper
• 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-1/2 cups grated sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1-1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 1 can (2.25 ounces) sliced black (ripe) olives or 1/4 cup chopped
• Vegetable oil spray
• 1 package (48 pieces) wonton wrappers

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F
2. In a heavy skillet, saute sausage, red pepper,onion, and garlic, stirring often to break apart, until sausage is cooked through and crumbly. Drain grease and let cool to room temperature
3. While sausage mixture cools, spray non-stick mini-muffin pans with vegetable oil. Place one wonton in each mini-muffin slot and spray again with vegetable oil
4. Bake 5 minutes until light golden brown. Remove baked wontons to a foil-lined baking sheet
5. Reduce heat to 400 F
6. Combine cooled sausage mixture, Cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, ranch dressing, and olives
7. Mix well 
8. Fill each wonton cup with sausage mixture, using all of the mixture
9. Bake filled wontons an additional 5 to 10 minutes until melted and bubbly
10. Let rest for 10 minutes, then serve warm

by Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, About.com Guide