Homemade Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

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Creamy sausage gravy over fluffy homemade two-ingredient biscuits — a budget-friendly Southern classic perfect for breakfast or supper.

Biscuits and Gravy. . .More than Just Breakfast!

Around here in Texas, biscuits and gravy aren’t just breakfast food. We’re just as likely to serve a steaming bowl for supper as we are first thing in the morning. It’s filling, affordable, and made from ingredients most folks already have on hand.

That’s part of the reason this dish has stood the test of time. A pound of sausage, some milk, and a batch of homemade biscuits can feed a family without breaking the grocery budget.

In fact, when I was a young mom, there were times I didn’t even have breakfast sausage in the refrigerator. I’d make gravy with whatever meat I had on hand, from ground beef to chopped lunch meat. The goal wasn’t perfection—it was putting a warm meal on the table.

S.O.S. If You Know, You Know

My dad often talked about the chipped beef on toast he ate in the Army, affectionately known as SOS. In many ways, Southern biscuits and gravy follow that same tradition. Take a simple protein, stretch it with a creamy gravy, and serve it over bread. The result is humble, satisfying comfort food that fills bellies and brings people to the table.

I hadn’t made biscuits and gravy in quite a while, and after one bite I remembered exactly why I love this recipe. It was every bit as good as I remembered.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Budget-friendly and filling
• Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or supper
• Made with simple ingredients
• Easy enough for beginners
• Rich, creamy sausage gravy
• Tender homemade biscuits with only two ingredients

Ingredients

You will find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this post but here’s a quick glance at what you’re going to need. These are simple ingredients you might already have on hand in your pantry or refrigerator.

For the Sausage Gravy

• 1 pound Jimmy Dean breakfast sausage
• 5 to 6 cups whole milk
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons milk (for slurry)
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

For the Biscuits

• 2 cups self-rising flour
• 1½ cups heavy cream

How to Make Homemade Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

Make the Biscuits

Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place the self-rising flour in a mixing bowl. Add the heavy cream and stir gently until a soft dough forms. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and pat it to about ¾-inch thickness.

Cut biscuits using a biscuit cutter and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly golden brown.

Funny side story: I couldn’t find my biscuit cutter so I used a smaller round cutter, about the size of a silver dollar. I hereby dub these my silver dollar biscuits. 🙂

Make the Sausage Gravy

Brown the sausage in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into crumbles as it cooks.

Once the sausage is fully cooked, remove excess grease from the skillet using a paper towel.

Pour in 5 cups of milk and stir.

In a small cup, whisk together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons milk until smooth. Pour the slurry into the skillet.

Bring the gravy to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently. Continue cooking until thickened. If the gravy becomes too thick, add additional milk as needed.

Season generously with salt and black pepper.

Bring it all Together!

Serve gravy hot over freshly baked biscuits.

The Secret to These Biscuits

These biscuits are made with just two ingredients: self-rising flour and heavy cream.

There’s no cutting in butter, no folding dough, and no complicated technique. The cream provides all of the fat and moisture needed to create tender, fluffy biscuits with very little effort.

They’re one of the easiest biscuit recipes you’ll ever make, and they pair perfectly with sausage gravy.

Variations

Use Ground Beef

If you don’t have breakfast sausage on hand, browned ground beef works surprisingly well.

Try Chopped Ham

Leftover ham adds a wonderful smoky flavor to the gravy.

Add a Little Heat

A pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes will give the gravy a gentle kick.

Make It Extra Peppery

Many Southern cooks prefer plenty of black pepper in their gravy. Feel free to add more to taste.

Storage

Store leftover gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of milk if needed to loosen the gravy.

Biscuits can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make sausage gravy ahead of time?

Yes. Store it in the refrigerator and reheat gently before serving.

Why use cornstarch instead of flour?

Cornstarch thickens quickly and creates a smooth, creamy gravy without making a traditional roux.

Can I use low-fat milk?

You can, but whole milk creates a richer, creamier gravy.

Can I freeze sausage gravy?

Yes, although the texture may change slightly after thawing.

What if my gravy is too thick?

Simply stir in additional milk until it reaches your desired consistency.

What if my gravy is too thin?

Mix another tablespoon of cornstarch with a little cold milk and stir it into the simmering gravy.

Can I use homemade sausage?

Absolutely. Homemade breakfast sausage works beautifully.

How do I keep biscuits tender?

Mix the dough only until combined. Overmixing can make biscuits tough.

Can I make larger biscuits?

Of course. Larger biscuits work just as well for serving with gravy.

Is this a breakfast recipe or a dinner recipe?

Both! Throughout the South, biscuits and gravy are just as welcome on the supper table as they are at breakfast.

Other Breakfast Meals to Enjoy

If breakfast is your favorite meal of the day you’ll love these great options:

Breakfast Fatty with Chorizo: Smoky, cheesy, and loaded with spicy chorizo — this breakfast fatty is the ultimate backyard BBQ morning meal. Fire up the grill and dig in.

Breakfast Enchiladas: These creamy, cheesy breakfast enchiladas are the perfect make-ahead morning crowd-pleaser. Eggs, meat, and melted cheese all wrapped up and ready to bake.

Easy Hashbrown Casserole: This easy hashbrown casserole is cheesy, comforting, and comes together fast. Perfect for potlucks, holidays, or any morning you want something hearty.

Southwest Breakfast Casserole: Bold flavors, big portions, and done in one pan — this Southwest breakfast casserole is loaded with eggs, peppers, and cheese. Weekend breakfast just got better.

That’s it for this Post!

Thanks for stopping by, friends. If you make this homemade biscuits an gravy recipe and love it, please feel free to leave a comment or review. And before you go, why not pin some photos to your Pinterest boards?

Recipe Developed by Janice Thompson

Growing up in Texas, meals like this weren’t special-occasion food. They were everyday food—the kind of meal that could stretch a grocery budget while still putting smiles around the table. Maybe that’s why biscuits and gravy still feel like home all these years later. Simple ingredients, a hot skillet, and a plate full of comfort food never go out of style.