Classic Cheese Ball Recipe

Enjoy this Classic Cheese Ball made with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, green onions, and chopped pecans for one of the most enjoyed appetizers ever. I love to serve it for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and my New Year's holiday party.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Keyword best cheese ball recipe, can you freeze a cheese ball, cheese ball recipe, how to make a cheeseball

Prep Time 15

Servings servings

Calories 155kcal

Author Beth Pierce

Ingredients

16 ounces softened cream cheese at room temperature
2 cups fresh grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon hot sauce like Frank's hot sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
2 green onions finely sliced
¾ cup chopped pecans

Instructions

Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or handheld electric mixer on medium speed, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
Add the cheddar cheese, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and fresh ground black pepper. Beat until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the bowl and beater when needed.
Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap on a countertop. Spoon the cheese into a ball shape and bring up the sides of the plastic wrap to cover the cheese ball. Utilize the wrapping process to help shape the cheese into a ball.
Refrigerate the ball overnight or for up to 7 days.
When ready to serve, take the cheese ball out of the fridge. Roll it in the chopped nuts and place it on a serving platter with your choice of goodies.

Notes

Use any good quality tasty cheddar cheese, like white cheddar, smoked cheddar, or my favorite sharp cheddar.
It is best to make this cheese ball in advance so the beaten cream cheese mixture has ample time to chill and form. This cheese ball can be made up to 1 week in advance.
Other nuts to use include slivered almonds or sliced almonds (preferably toasted), chopped walnuts, or chopped pistachios.
Try other dried herbs like parsley, oregano, or marjoram.
Place that cheese ball on a charcuterie board with olives, grapes, candied nuts, pickles, cured meats, dried fruits, and assorted cheese.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 7 days, provided that the ingredients are fresh and the entire life of the cheese ball is not over 14 days.
To freeze, double wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in a freezer zipper bag. Freeze for up to 1 month.

Nutrition