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An easy cheese ball recipe is always the first to disappear at a party, holiday gathering, or tailgate picnic! The classic, make-ahead appetizer includes sharp cheddar cheese, cream cheese, diced pimentos, Ranch seasoning, and a crunchy pecan coating.
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If you’re looking for even more easy party appetizers, don’t miss our cream cheese and pepper jelly dip, Italian pinwheels, or Mom’s 10-minute crab dip!
With football tailgates, watch parties, and the holiday season upon us, we can probably all use a new, easy snack to add to our entertaining repertoire. Nothing is more classic than a cheese ball, and this particular recipe happens to be the absolute best!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This easy cheese ball recipe will soon become a staple in your hosting routine, since it’s:
- Easy: you only need a handful of simple ingredients and about 15 minutes of prep to pull this appetizer together.
- Affordable: entertaining can get pricey, but these ingredients bring big flavor, and big satisfaction. The cheese ball is rich, and will definitely feed a crowd.
- Make-Ahead: when hosting guests for a dinner party, holiday, or casual afternoon of fun, it’s convenient to have a handful of go-to hors d’oeuvres that you can assemble in advance and then just pull out when your guests arrive. It eliminates stress and makes you look like a seasoned pro!
Ingredients for a Classic Cheese Ball Recipe
This is just a quick overview of the ingredients that you’ll need for an easy cheese ball recipe. As always, specific measurements and step-by-step instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.
- Cream cheese: use blocks of full-fat cream cheese (not spreadable cream cheese in a tub).
- Sharp cheddar cheese: grate the cheddar by hand — do not use a bag of pre-shredded cheese.
- Ranch seasoning: just the dry seasoning mix (do not prepare the Ranch dressing).
- Diced pimentos: for color and flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce: adds a touch of salty, umami flavor.
- Finely chopped pecans: for crunchy texture and extra flavor on the outside of the cheese ball. You can sub with other chopped nuts, such as almonds or walnuts.
How to Make a Cheese Ball
A good cheese ball recipe is worth its weight in gold! This easy party snack comes together quickly, and can be prepped ahead of time for your convenience. You’ll find detailed directions in the recipe card below, but here’s the quick version:
- Combine the cheeses, seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and pimentos.
- Shape into a ball.
- Coat the cheese ball with pecans.
- Wrap tightly and chill.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the cheese ball alongside any of your favorite “dippers.” Good options include:
- Crackers (such as Ritz crackers, saltines, Wheat Thins, or Triscuits)
- Pretzels
- Toasted bagels or bagel chips
- Crostini
- Pita chips or pita bread
- Tortilla chips
- Fresh veggies, such as carrots, cucumbers, bell pepper strips, and celery sticks
Preparation and Storage Tips
- Make Ahead: assemble the cheese ball up to 5 days in advance. If you will be waiting more than 24 hours to serve the cheese ball, do not coat with the pecans until just before serving.
- Storage: wrapped tightly, a leftover cheese ball will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If the cheese ball sits out at room temperature for more than a couple of hours, however, it’s best to discard the leftovers.
- How to Freeze: freeze the cheese ball before coating in pecans. Wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, the cheese ball will keep in the freezer for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
Recipe Variations
- Instead of a packet of Ranch seasoning, use your own blend of herbs and spices, such as dried parsley flakes, onion powder, garlic powder, dill weed, and more.
- Sliced green onions, fresh chives, or other fresh herbs would be a delicious addition to the cheese mixture.
- Make it spicy with the addition of minced jalapeno peppers, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, or crushed red pepper flakes.
- Use different types of cheese in lieu of the cheddar. For instance, try Colby, Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, or Pepper Jack.
- Swap out the chopped pecans and coat the cheese ball in minced fresh herbs or other chopped nuts, such as walnuts or almonds.
- For a rich, smoky flavor, add cooked, crumbled bacon to the cream cheese mixture.
- Form the cheese ball mixture into other shapes. Good options include a football for Super Bowl or Game Day parties and tailgates, a log, a turkey for Thanksgiving, and a wreath or Christmas tree for the holidays.
Tips for the Best Cheese Ball Recipe
- Use blocks of full-fat cream cheese (not tubs of spreadable cream cheese).
- The cream cheese needs to be softened at room temperature, or it will not mix smoothly with the other ingredients.
- Grate the cheddar cheese by hand. Avoid packages of pre-shredded cheese.
- Chill the cheese ball in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours before serving. This will help it firm up and set.
- When ready to serve, allow about 20 minutes for the cheese ball to soften at room temperature. This will make it the perfect texture for spreading.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes to Try
4-Ingredient Sausage Dip with Corn
35 minutes mins
Pimento Cheese Recipe
10 minutes mins
5-Minute Corn Dip
5 minutes mins
Easy Cheese Ball Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 (8 ounce) blocks cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, freshy grated by hand
- 2 tablespoons diced pimentos
- 1 tablespoon dry Ranch seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ⅔ cup finely chopped pecans
- For serving: crackers, pretzels, or vegetables
Instructions
- In a large bowl, use a wooden spoon to combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, diced pimentos, Ranch seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the cheese mixture together. Lightly grease your hands and form the mixture into a round ball.
- Place the pecans on a plate. Hold the cheese ball in one hand and use the other hand to gently press the pecans onto the outside of the ball. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1-2 hours.
- When ready to serve, allow the cheese ball to sit on the counter at room temperature for about 20 minutes. Serve with crackers, pretzels, or vegetables.
Notes
- Use blocks of full-fat cream cheese (not tubs of spreadable cream cheese).
- The cream cheese needs to be softened at room temperature, or it will not mix smoothly with the other ingredients.
- Grate the cheddar cheese by hand. Avoid packages of pre-shredded cheese.
- Chill the cheese ball in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours before serving. This will help it firm up and set.
- When ready to serve, allow about 20 minutes for the cheese ball to soften at room temperature. This will make it the perfect texture for spreading.
