Nothing says comfort food like sausage biscuits and gravy! Make homemade sausage gravy for a quick hearty breakfast.
I never knew how easy it was to make homemade sausage biscuits and gravy until my cousin gave me her recipe years ago. Most of the time, we make this for dinner. But every now and then, we make it for “Big Breakfast Sunday”. It’s good no matter when you make it.
For the sausage, I usually use Italian sausage, but you can use whatever kind you prefer. I buy mild, though you can use spicy sausage or breakfast sausage for a different flavor. Italian sausage makes the gravy yellow, while breakfast sausage keeps it traditional white gravy.
I don’t even care for sausage much, so just take the chunks of sausage off mine. But you have to have it to get the right flavor. The gravy is made in the drippings from the sausage, so you want to make sure it’s in the pan at the time.
Usually, I use refrigerated buttery biscuits, but have occasionally made drop biscuits with Bisquick if we don’t have any at the time. You can use any plain biscuit for this recipe.
One of the biggest hints my cousin gave me was the key to the gravy. If it gets too thick, add just a bit of milk until it’s the consistency you like. Alternatively, if it’s too thin, slowly whisk in more of the Bisquick to thicken the gravy.
What Makes Bisquick Gravy Different?
Many home cooks are surprised to learn that Bisquick can be used for more than just making biscuits. A Bisquick gravy recipe uses the baking mix as the thickening agent instead of traditional all-purpose flour. Because Bisquick already contains flour, shortening, and leavening ingredients, it creates a rich and creamy gravy with very little effort. The result is a smooth sausage gravy that pairs perfectly with warm biscuits for a hearty Southern breakfast. Using Bisquick can also simplify preparation since there are fewer ingredients to measure and mix.
Tips for the Best Bisquick Gravy Recipe
For the richest flavor, use breakfast sausage with a good amount of seasoning and save some of the drippings for the gravy. Add the milk slowly while whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. If the gravy becomes too thick, stir in a splash of additional milk until it reaches the desired consistency. Freshly cracked black pepper adds classic flavor and balances the richness of the sausage. Serving the gravy immediately after cooking provides the best texture and flavor.
Troubleshooting Sausage Gravy
If your gravy seems too thin, continue cooking for a few more minutes while stirring frequently. The gravy will thicken as it simmers. If it becomes too thick, simply add more milk a tablespoon at a time until it loosens. Lumpy gravy is usually caused by adding liquid too quickly. Whisking constantly while slowly pouring in the milk helps create a smooth texture. If the gravy tastes bland, add additional black pepper, salt, or a pinch of garlic powder to enhance the flavor.
Variations for Biscuits and Gravy
This classic breakfast recipe can easily be customized to suit different tastes. Spicy breakfast sausage adds extra heat and flavor, while turkey sausage creates a lighter version. Some cooks enjoy adding a pinch of cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, or sage to the gravy. Shredded cheddar cheese can also be stirred into the finished gravy for an extra creamy and savory twist. No matter which variation you choose, the comforting combination of biscuits and gravy remains the star of the meal.
What to Serve with Biscuits and Gravy
Biscuits and gravy are hearty enough to serve as a meal on their own, but they pair well with several breakfast favorites. Scrambled eggs, fried eggs, crispy bacon, breakfast sausage links, fresh fruit, or hash browns all make excellent side dishes. For a brunch spread, serve biscuits and gravy alongside a fruit salad and fresh coffee for a satisfying meal that guests will love.
Simple Ingredients
Biscuits
For the biscuits, you can use any type of biscuits. I like to use flaky biscuits or homemade buttermilk biscuits.
Sausage
Both Italian sausage and breakfast sausage will work well for this recipe. No matter what type you use, make sure to crumble the sausage as you cook it.
Butter
Adding butter once you take the sausage out of the pan helps to release the sausage bits from the bottom of the pan.
Milk
The key to creamy gravy is in the milk. Whole milk works best, but I’ve also made this with non-dairy milk such as almond milk with great success.
Bisquick
Another key ingredient for the best sausage gravy is the Bisquick. We keep this around for pancakes, but if you don’t have it, you can easily make some at home using all-purpose flour, vegetable shortening, salt, and baking powder. Follow the recipe here: https://www.mybakingaddiction.com/homemade-bisquick/
Pepper
Just a little bit of black pepper goes a long way to season the gravy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bisquick Biscuits and Gravy
Yes. Bisquick works as a thickening agent because it contains flour and fat. Many cooks use it as a convenient substitute for traditional flour when making sausage gravy.
Pork breakfast sausage is the most traditional choice. Mild, sage, hot, or country-style sausage all work well depending on your flavor preference.
Sausage gravy continues to thicken as it cooks and cools. Stirring in additional milk can quickly thin it to the desired consistency.
The gravy can be prepared several days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. For the best results, bake the biscuits fresh before serving.
Bisquick gravy is a variation of country gravy. The primary difference is that Bisquick replaces traditional flour as the thickening ingredient while still producing a creamy, flavorful sauce.
Absolutely. Homemade buttermilk biscuits, drop biscuits, and even canned biscuits pair wonderfully with sausage gravy. The gravy works with nearly any biscuit recipe.

Sausage Biscuits and Gravy Step by Step
Ingredients
- 1 pkg biscuits
- 1 pkg sausage (italian or breakfast)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/3 cup bisquick
- 1 tbsp pepper
Preparation
Bake the biscuits according to the package.
Brown the sausage in a large skillet while the biscuits bake.

Remove the sausage from the pan but do not drain the pan so the sausage grease can help flavor the gravy. Add the butter until it melts, followed by the milk. Cook for about 1-2 minutes to warm the milk.

Slowly add the Bisquick, whisking constantly, to eliminate the lumps. It can help to sift the Bisquick so it isn’t clumpy when it goes into the pan.

Sprinkle the pepper and stir it into the gravy.

Add the cooked sausage back into the pan so it can heat with the gravy.

Serve the gravy over the warm biscuits and enjoy!

Sausage Biscuits and Gravy Leftovers
Storage: Store the biscuits and homemade sausage gravy in their own airtight container. Keep the biscuits at room temperature for 2-3 days and the homemade gravy in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Reheating: For the best results, reheat the leftover gravy in a saucepan over medium heat for about 5-10 minutes, until warm. If it’s too thick, add a little bit of whole milk as it warms.

Recipe
Originally Published On: January 11, 2016
Last Updated On: June 9, 2024

Sausage Biscuits and Gravy
Ingredients
- 1 pkg biscuits
- 1 pkg sausage (italian or breakfast)
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/3 cup bisquick
- 1 tbsp black pepper
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Prepare biscuits according to package
- Cook sausage until brown, do not drain
- Remove sausage from pan and set aside
- Add butter until it melts
- Add milk and cook for 1-2 minutes
- Slowly add bisquick into gravy, stirring constantly to eliminate lumps
- Add pepper to season
- Return sausage to pan and cook for a couple minutes to warm together
- Serve gravy over biscuits
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutrition content will vary based on brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
Sausage Recipes
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- Sausage and Pepper Skillet Meal
- Southern Black Eyed Peas
- Warm and Hearty Sausage and Spinach Spaghetti Pie
- Sausage Biscuits and Gravy
- Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers
- Italian Sausage and Tortellini Soup
- Hearty Sausage and Kale Pesto Pizza
- Sausage and Chicken Jambalaya
- Easy Customizable Sausage and Vegetable Frittatas Breakfast
- Crawfish Boil Recipe
Bisquick Recipes
- Quick and Easy Bisquick Pancakes
- Dutch Baby Pancake with Blackberries
- Cheddar Biscuits
- Banana Bread Pancakes
- Sheet Pan Pancakes
- Sausage Biscuits and Gravy
- Banana Cake with Glaze
- Easy Homemade Doughnut Holes Recipe



A great day to make them – it’s cool here
That’s the best time for a warm breakfast!
Ooh, these look so good – my hubby would love these for his breakfast at the weekend!
We make them either for a weekend breakfast or oftentimes as breakfast-for-dinner here.
I’m definitely not a sausage fan, but my husband has been asking me to cook more sausage for YEARS. Maybe I’ll surprise him and bust this recipe out soon!
I am not a sausage fan either. I like the flavor in the sauce, but don’t want to bite into the chunks. My plate usually has a pile of sausage moved off to the side that my husband then takes for his own!
I am so glad I decided to open your post tonight. This recipe will be perfect for my Sunday morning. I will make them, hopefully, they look as good as yours.
This is a typical Sunday morning breakfast here, too. Mine have come out not looking as nice, but they always taste good!
This post is making my mouth water. This looks beyond amazing. Yum!
Thanks, April! They are delicious 🙂
Wow. I haven’t heard of this recipe! But definitely looks delicious! Would love to try some someday.
This tends to be a southern meal in the US as far as I know. I’ve only ever lived in the South so it’s pretty common here.
I’m actually eating a Sausage Biscuit from McDonald’s while reading this and regretting it! This of course looks a million times better. You always make it look so easy!
Well, McD’s has the convenience factor over my recipe, but I will always go for homemade rather than storebought or fast food.
Wow! We do sausage gravy for dinner sometimes. This looks fabulas
We tend to have this more as a breakfast-for-dinner meal than actually for breakfast, too!
When the cold days are here, comfort food is the best! I would love to make these biscuits for a Sunday brunch!
These meals are definitely best when it’s cooler outside and you just want something warm. It would make a great Sunday brunch recipe!
It is actually the first time of my life I hear about sausage biscuits and gravy! I’m so curious about it, maybe I should give it a try 🙂
Oh my gosh, I guess it’s a US thing then since you aren’t the first to say that. I’ve only lived in the southern states and this is a very Southern Comfort Food recipe here!
Aha, I love this one. Thank you for sharing this quick and easy recipe that looks superb and yummy. I would prefer using clarified butter or ghee instead of butter since it helps in better digestion and provides a rich texture. After all, experiment is the key😊.