Don’t you love an easy party appetizer that pretty much serves itself? You can make this cheese ball ahead of time, store it in the fridge, then set it out with some crackers when your guests arrive, and everyone can serve themselves! It’s also an impressive looking dish that comes together in a few simple steps.
You won’t believe how easy it is to make. After making this, you won’t want to buy another pre-made cheese ball from the store. It’s also a more budget-friendly cheese board if you’re looking to host a large party. Want another crowd-pleasing treat like this easy cheese ball recipe? Try my spinach artichoke dip recipe, baked brie recipe, or deviled egg recipe.
What You Need to Make This Recipe
Cream cheese — make sure to use blocks of cream cheese and not cream cheese from a tub. You need to bring the cream cheese out ahead of time, so it’ll be softened enough to be easily beaten until smooth.
Cheese — I use sharp cheddar cheese. I recommend shredding your own cheese from a block, as it tastes better and creamier. Pre-shredded cheese has a coating on it to help prevent it from clumping in the bag. You also get more cheese for the same price if you shred it yourself!
Worcestershire sauce — the acidic notes in the Worcestershire sauce help cut the richness of all the cheese.
Pecans — a classic ingredient, you can swap them for almonds, walnuts, or another finely chopped nut. You can even do a blend of nuts.
How to Make a Cheese Ball
1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese on medium speed or with a wooden spoon just until creamy and smooth.
2. Add the cheddar cheese, green onion, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Stir together until well combined. Scrape the mixture together into a mound in the bowl.
4. Place the pecans in a shallow dish. Roll the cheese mixture in the pecans until fully coated, gently pressing them into the ball so they stick. Wrap in plastic wrap and gently roll into a ball. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours, or up to 5 days. Unwrap and let the cheeseball sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Serve with crackers or veggies.
Pro Tips for Making This Recipe
- Instead of sharp cheddar cheese, you can swap it for another cheese, such as mozzarella, or you can even use a blend of cheeses. Avoid using a dry cheese such as parmesan, as it won’t be as spreadable.
- For a spicy kick, add a bit of hot sauce to the cream cheese before mixing it. You can also use spicy cheese such as pepper jack.
- Make sure to chop your pecans finely. If you’re having trouble chopping them, place them in a zip-top bag and use a rolling pin to crush them. Finely chopped pecans will coat the ball better and be easier to spread.
- If you have trouble shaping the cheese ball, you can chill the cheese mixture for 10 to 20 minutes before trying to shape it again.
- I recommend serving this with a butter knife or butter spreader, as the crackers may break if you try to dive right in with one.
- You don’t have to shape the cheese ball into a ball! Feel free to get into the festive spirit with this recipe. Shape the cheese into a football, a star, a snowman, and more!
- For a little extra savory flavor, you can add some chopped bacon bits to the cheese mixture when you add the green onions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Store any leftovers tightly wrapped in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
You can! However, it’s best to freeze the cheese ball before you roll it in the pecans, as they’ll lose their crispness. This method is best if you want to make it ahead of time, and when ready to serve, thaw it overnight in the fridge, then roll it in the pecans. After you have shaped it into a mound, wrap it in a couple of layers of plastic wrap, followed by foil. Freeze for up to a month.
Crackers and vegetable sticks are my go-to sides, but you can also serve the cheese ball with pita bread, pita chips, bagel chips, pretzels, crostini, a baguette, apple slices, and more! The options are limitless.
As this recipe is cheese-based, I wouldn’t recommend leaving it unrefrigerated for longer than two hours. However, it rarely lasts long on my table!
If you love this recipe try these out!
If you’ve tried this Cheese Ball recipe, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you!
Cheese Ball Recipe
Equipment
- Electric mixer (optional)
- Shallow dish
- Plastic wrap
Ingredients
- 2 (8-ounce) blocks cream cheese softened (452g)
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded (227g)
- 3 green onions chopped
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans (112g)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese on medium speed or with a wooden spoon just until creamy and smooth.
- Add the cheddar cheese, onion, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir together until well combined. Scrape the mixture together into a mound in the bowl.
- Place the pecans in a shallow dish. Roll the cheese mixture in the pecans until fully coated, gently pressing them into the ball so they stick, if needed.
- Wrap in plastic wrap and gently round into a ball. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours or up to 5 days. Unwrap and let the cheeseball sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving. Serve with crackers or veggies.
Notes
- Instead of sharp cheddar cheese, you can swap it for another cheese, such as mozzarella, or you can even use a blend of cheeses. Avoid using a dry cheese such as parmesan, as it won’t be as spreadable.
- For a spicy kick, add a bit of hot sauce to the cream cheese before mixing it. You can also use spicy cheese such as pepper jack.
- Make sure to chop your pecans finely. If you’re having trouble chopping them, place them in a zip-top bag and use a rolling pin to crush them. Finely chopped pecans will coat the cheese ball better and be easier to spread.
- If you have trouble shaping the cheese ball, you can chill the cheese mixture for 10 to 20 minutes before trying to shape it again.
- I recommend serving this with a butter knife or butter spreader, as the crackers may break if you try to dive right in with one.
- You don’t have to shape the cheese ball into a ball! Feel free to get into the festive spirit with this recipe. Shape the cheese into a football, a star, a snowman, and more!
- For a little extra savory flavor, you can add some chopped bacon bits to the cheese mixture when you add the green onions.
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