Classic cheese ball recipe – Hands down one of the easiest and yummiest recipes to serve at your next holiday party! This easy cheese ball recipe is always a huge hit!
I’m always looking for easy appetizer recipes to make for get-togethers. This cream cheese ball is one of my favorites, along with pigs in a blanket, easy potato skins, homemade pretzel bites and buffalo chicken dip.
Cheese ball recipe
I had friends over last weekend and debated about making a cream cheese ball. I had so many other things to make, so this was kind of on the “if I get to it” list. Well I’m so glad I got to it because as soon as one of our friends arrived, they said they were so glad there was a cream cheese ball there.
Apparently it’s not a get-together without a cheese ball! And once I thought about it…it really isn’t (especially during the holidays). I never really loved them as a kid, but there was always a cheese ball with a veggie tray at every holiday gathering.
This classic cheese ball recipe is SO easy to make and only takes 4 ingredients. Can’t beat that. You can also make the easy cheese ball the night before and I think it tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to marry together. Mmm!
How do I make a cheese ball?
This cheese ball recipe is SO easy! It’s honestly one of the easiest appetizers ever. Just follow the simple steps below. Scroll down for the printable classic cheese ball recipe.
- Mix together ingredients. Mix all ingredients (except pecans) with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Cover with plastic wrap and chill. Place on plastic wrap, cover and form into ball. Refrigerate for at least one hour.
- Coat cheese ball with pecans. Put pecans on a plate. Remove cheese ball from plastic wrap and roll in pecans until well-coated.
- Serve and enjoy! Place cheese ball on a platter with crackers and serve. Enjoy!
How long does a cheese ball last?
This easy cheese ball will keep in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks, although I’m sure it will get eaten up before then since it’s so delicious. :)
Make-ahead tips
This cheese ball recipe is great because it can be prepped the night beforehand as well! I honestly think it tastes better if made a day ahead because the flavors have time to marry together and taste extra delicious.
To make-ahead:
- Use an electric mixer to mix all ingredients together (except pecans) until smooth.
- Place mixture on top of saran wrap, cover and form into a ball.
- Store in refrigerator over night.
- Before serving, roll the cheese ball in chopped pecans until well-coated.
- Serve on a platter with crackers!
Additional cheese ball coatings
If you don’t want to use pecans, you can coat the cheese ball with any of the options below. You could even cut the cheese ball in half and do two different versions. Or make mini cheese ball bites. Lots of ways to customize for your guests!
- Walnuts
- Chopped pretzels
- Sliced almonds
- Chopped bacon
- Crushed Chex cereal
- Crushed crackers
- Candied pecans
Serving options
There are plenty of delicious options to serve with this cheese ball recipe. Below are some of our favorites!
- Crackers
- Pretzels
- Pita chips
- Cucumbers
- Carrots
- Bell peppers
More easy appetizers:
- Charcuterie Board
- Baked Brie with Honey
- Crockpot BBQ Meatballs
- Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers
- 7-Layer Dip
- Spinach Artichoke Dip
Cheese Ball Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese , softened
- 1/4 cup green onions , chopped fine
- 1 Tablespoon ranch dressing dry mix (like Hidden Valley)
- 1/2 teaspoon dill , optional
- 1/2 cup pecans , chopped
For serving: Favorite snack crackers or vegetables
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients except pecans with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Place mixture on plastic wrap, cover and form into ball. Refrigerate for at least one hour.
- Put pecans on a plate. Remove cheese ball from plastic wrap and roll in pecans until well-coated.
- Place cheese ball on a platter with crackers and serve. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- If you don’t want to use nuts, you can use chopped bacon or crushed crackers instead (similar to my Chex crusted bacon cheese ball).
- If you'd like more cheese, you can mix in 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese with the cream cheese.
- Make-ahead: Follow steps 1 & 2, then let cheese ball chill in fridge overnight. Before serving, roll in chopped pecans until well-coated.Â
- Storage: Will keep in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks if covered or stored in an airtight container.Â
Dig right in to this classic cheese ball recipe and enjoy! ;)Dig right in to this classic cheese ball recipe and enjoy! ;)
This would disappear quickly around here. I love the inside of this cheese ball, so it might not actually make it to being a cheese ball if I made this one LOL.
I’m obsessed with this cheese ball!
I love this cheese ball! You just can’t go wrong with it. :)