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Square side shot of an easy cheese ball recipe with herbs and rackers on a table.
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Easy Cheese Ball Recipe

This classic cheese ball is an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer!
Course Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine American, Southern
Keyword best cheese ball recipe, cheese ball, cheese ball recipe, easy cheese ball recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings 24 people
Calories 128kcal
Author Blair Lonergan

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.
    Process shot showing how to make a cheese 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.
    Process shot showing how to roll a cheese ball in chopped pecans.
  • 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.
    Square side shot of an easy cheese ball recipe with herbs and rackers on a table.

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.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/24 of the cheese ball | Calories: 128kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 171mg | Potassium: 47mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 350IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 88mg | Iron: 0.1mg