Classic Cheese Ball Recipe (2024)

This take on a classic cheese ball is crazy good! A zesty seasoned cream cheese & cheddar base is rolled in a bacon pecan crust.

It has all of the basic ingredients with tons of flavor, perfect for scooping with chips, crackers, and veggies!

Classic Cheese Ball Recipe (1)

A Classic for Good Reason

A cheese ball has been around a long time for good reason!

  • So much cheesy goodness and flavor!
  • It’s perfect for get-togethers because it can be made ahead of time.
  • This recipe is versatile, add in your fave seasonings, herbs, and cheeses!
  • It’s easy to make, no baking required!
  • It’s not just a dip, spread on a sandwich (or a bagel), add to a wrap withham or melt it with a bit of milk for an amazing pasta sauce!

Classic Cheese Ball Recipe (2)

How to Make a Cheese Ball

Cheese balls are easy to make. Garnish with extra sprigs of parsley or green onions and serve with crostini!

  1. Beat cream cheese with seasonings (per recipe below).
  2. Fold in cheddar cheese and half the bacon bits. Cover and chill.

Classic Cheese Ball Recipe (3)

  1. After the cream mixture has chilled (so it will hold its shape) roll it into a ball (or a cheese log) and roll in the bacon pecan topping.
  2. Chill again.

Serving Tip

Remove the cheese ball from the fridge about 30 minutes before serving. This allows it to soften enough for dipping.

If you’re serving with fragile crackers or chips, add a butter knife to the platter.

Classic Cheese Ball Recipe (4)

Tips to Make Ahead

Make classic cheese balls in advance and take them to a potluck or a party anytime the season calls for a tasty appetizer!

  • Cheese balls can be stored for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator if they are tightly wrapped (before rolling in the coating).
  • Freeze for up to two months and thaw in the fridge overnight.

Perfect Party Dishes

  • Pineapple Cheese Ball – a twist on a classic!
  • The Best Spinach Artichoke Dip – creamy cheesy goodness
  • Garlic Butter Steak Bites – use fresh or frozen steak
  • Blooming Onion Bites – with dipping sauce
  • Crispy Oven Baked Potato Skins
  • Shrimp co*cktail – a crowd favorite
  • Roasted Chestnuts
  • Antipasto Skewers – so easy to make
  • Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms – ready in 30 minutes

Did you make this Cheese Ball recipe? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!

Classic Cheese Ball Recipe (5)

5 from 23 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Classic Cheese Ball Recipe

Cheese Balls are so easy to make, and are full of savory flavors! Serve with crackers or veggies for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

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ReviewPrint

Classic Cheese Ball Recipe (6)

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Chill Time 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 2 hours hours 55 minutes minutes

Classic Cheese Ball Recipe (7)

Servings 24 servings

Classic Cheese Ball Recipe (8)

Author Holly Nilsson

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces cream cheese softened
  • cup sour cream
  • 1 green onion thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese finely shredded
  • ¾ cup bacon bits or crumbled bacon, divided
  • ½ cup pecans
  • 1 tablespoon parsley finely chopped

Instructions

  • Bake pecans in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes or until fragrant. Cool completely and chop.

  • Meanwhile, place cream cheese in a bowl and beat with a hand mixer until fluffy.

  • Add sour cream, green onion, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder. Beat until combined. Stir in cheddar cheese and ½ cup bacon bits. Chill in the fridge for 2 hours or up to 24 hours.

  • Remove from the fridge and shape into a ball. Combine remaining ¼ cup bacon, chopped pecans, and parsley on a small plate. Roll the cheeseball in the mixture pressing to adhere. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.

  • Remove from the refrigerator at least 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Start with softened cream cheese (this can also be done in the microwave for about 10 seconds or so).
  • Sharp cheddar gives the best flavor.
  • If desired, a packet of ranch mix can replace the seasonings in this recipe.
  • If using store-bought real bacon bits, microwave them on a paper towel until crisp and cool.

Be sure to refrigerate the cheese mixture before forming it into a ball or it won't hold its shape.

To make-ahead, prepare cheese ball but do not roll in the topping. Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Once thawed, roll in pecan mixture as directed.

5 from 23 votes

Nutrition Information

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 140 | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 185mg | Potassium: 68mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 387IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Classic Cheese Ball Recipe (9) Course Appetizer, Dip, Party Food, Snack

Classic Cheese Ball Recipe (10) Cuisine American

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

Categories:

Appetizer Recipes, Christmas, Dips and Dressings, Holidays, Low Carb, Recipes

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About the author

Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook!
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Classic Cheese Ball Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long will a homemade cheese ball last in the refrigerator? ›

Storing in Fridge: If you start with fresh ingredients, you can store the cheese ball in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Cover any leftovers with plastic wrap and store in an airtight container. How to Freeze: I prefer a freshly made cheese ball, BUT you can freeze cheese balls.

What is the white cheese that is a ball? ›

This fresh cheese resembles a Fresh Mozzarella ball, but when split open, you will be delighted to discover a rich-tasting soft filling of fresh pieces of Mozzarella soaked in heavy cream. This cheese offers a sweet, milky flavor that gently fills the palate.

What is a cheese ball made of? ›

Cheese balls are traditionally made with two kinds of cheese – cream cheese (or another soft cheese like quark cheese, mascarpone or ricotta) and a grated semi-soft or semi-firm cheese like cheddar, colby cheese, monterey jack cheese, or muenster.

Can you freeze a cheese ball for later use? ›

Cheese balls freeze quite well. Again, it's best to wrap the cheese ball in one layer of plastic wrap, then one layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to four weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Does a cheese ball need to be refrigerated overnight? ›

Storing: A cheese ball should be stored in the refrigerator and will stay fresh for several days or up to 2 weeks depending on the freshness of your ingredients. To estimate how long your cheese ball will stay fresh, first notice the expiration date on the ingredients you are using.

What are the ingredients in Costco cheese balls? ›

Brown Jasmine Rice, Corn Flour, Cheddar Cheese Seasoning [Sugar, Non Dairy Creamer (Glucose Syrup, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Sodium Caseinate, Acidity Regulator (340), Anticaking Agent (551)), Salt, Cheese Powder (Cheese Solids (Milk, Salt, Enzyme Rennet), Milk Solids, Salt, Anticaking Agent (339, 551)), Whey Protein ...

Are cheese balls healthy? ›

Cheese balls can provide some nutritional benefits. They are a good source of protein and calcium, which are essential for building and maintaining strong bones and muscles.

What is the expensive ball of cheese? ›

That honor goes to pule cheese (or magareći sir), a rare cheese produced in Zasavica Donkey Reserve in west central Serbia. The price? Around $600 a pound. To put this in perspective, a pound of Parmigiano Reggiano costs $15 to $25 per pound and up, depending on the producer and how many months the cheese is aged.

What are the best crackers for cheeseballs? ›

I like serving my cheese balls with buttery crackers like Ritz, but you can use any cracker.

What are the best crackers to serve with a cheese ball? ›

Here are some options: Crackers – Ritz Crackers, Wheat Thins, Multi-Grain, Milton's. Pretzels or Pretzel Crisps.

What if my cheese ball is too soft? ›

Remove cheese ball from the fridge 30 minutes before serving so the cheese has time to soften and become more spreadable. Why is my cheese ball too soft? A cheese ball can be too soft if reduced fat or nonfat cream cheese is used. Stick to regular, full fat block-style cream cheese.

Who made the original cheese ball? ›

"According to legend," writes Michelle Buffardi, author of Great Balls of Cheese, "the first cheese ball in recorded history was made in 1801 by Elisha Brown, Jr. on his farm and presented to President Thomas Jefferson" at the White House.

How are cheeseballs made? ›

Instructions
  • Process the cream cheese. ...
  • Mix in the second cheese. ...
  • Mix in the liquid flavoring. ...
  • Mix in any optional ingredients. ...
  • Correct the texture if necessary. ...
  • Scoop the mixture into a mound: Place a large piece of plastic wrap about 12 by 16 inches on a work surface. ...
  • Shape it into ball using plastic wrap.

Why are cheese balls addicting? ›

Cheese contains casomorphins , a group of opiods that traverse the blood-brain barrier where they produce a mild feeling of pleasure by binding to dopamine receptors in the brain. Craving of this sensation is a definitional element of addiction.

How long does fresh homemade cheese last in the fridge? ›

How long will the cheese last? For some cheese, especially hard cheeses, they can last more than a year, if you can keep from eating them. Fresh cheeses like Ricotta and Mozzarella can last a week or two in your refrigerator. The same holds true for some Camembert, Brie's and Blue cheeses.

How do you keep cheese balls fresh? ›

Wrapping and storing a cheese ball in the fridge will help hold its shape, prevent it from crumbling, and keep the cheese from drying out. Furthermore, wrapping the cheese ball in aluminum foil will provide additional support and stop the cheese from absorbing odors from other foods in the fridge.

Can cheese last 3 weeks in fridge? ›

Soft cheeses such as cottage cheese, ricotta or Brie can be refrigerated one week but they don't freeze well. Hard cheeses such as cheddar, Swiss and Parmesan can be stored in the refrigerator six months before opening the package and three to four weeks after opening. It can also be frozen six months.

How do you store homemade cheese long term? ›

A great place to keep your cheeses is in the produce drawer. The higher temperatures and humidity will keep your cheeses moist and flavorful for longer, and you'll also get the benefit of separating your cheeses from other foods that could impart unwanted flavors.

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