Classic cheese ball recipe
Classic cheese ball recipe-hands down one of the easiest and yummiest recipes to serve at your next holiday party!
I had friends over (who are also away from their family) this past year for Thanksgiving 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 ranch cheese ball there. Apparently it’s not the holidays without one. And once I thought about it… it really isn’t. I never really loved them as a kid, but there was always one with a veggie tray at every holiday. Now … pass the veggies and give me the cheese and crackers please. I have to contain myself so I don’t eat the whole thing! ;)
MY OTHER RECIPESThis classic cheese ball recipe is SO easy to make and only takes 4 ingredients. Can’t beat that. You can also make it the night before and I think it tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had time to marry together. Mmm!
If you don’t want to use nuts, you can use chopped bacon or crushed crackers instead of nuts. Both taste great :) You could even cut the cheese ball in half and do two different versions. Lots of ways to customize for your guests. This appetizer is great because it can be prepped the night beforehand as well.
Classic cheese ball recipe
An easy 4-ingredient cheese ball to bring to your next holiday gathering
Ingredients:
- 2 (8-ounce) packages 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, vegetables
Directions:
- Mix all ingredients except pecans with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Place on plastic wrap, cover and form into ball. Refrigerate for at least one hour.
- Place pecans on a plate. Remove cheese ball from plastic wrap and roll in pecans until well-coated.
- Place on a platter with crackers and serve. Enjoy!
If you don’t want to use nuts, you can use chopped bacon or crushed crackers instead..
Dig right in and enjoy! ;)
Looking for more appetizer ideas? You’ll love these too:
Cheese balls are definitely a tradition on Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Cheese mixtures are the only realistic way to get people to eat enough good protein (that is also easy to digest – another aspect during holiday season …) and still enjoy it. Meat is not optimal and a lot of other stuff is too bland. And the above sound just right to contrast with the sweet stuff as I always feel an urge after a few cookies and cake to devour some pickles or other salty stuff.
I’m Australian and would like to make it but We don’t have ranch dressing dry mix?? Whats that? Could you describe it – perhaps I could substitute something else?
Would love to try for Christmas!
Hi Helen! Here is a recipe to make your own ranch dressing dry mix: http://www.browneyedbaker.com/diy-homemade-ranch-seasoning-mix/. Hope that helps! :)
I make this cheese ball but I add Chopped Dried Beef with 1/2 tsp of garlic powder goes over well at anytime of the year
Sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing. :)
Much easier than my five ingredient cheese ball recipe. Wait…
…You do realize that your 4 ingredient cheeseball actually calls for 5 ingredients, right?
2 (8oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup green onions, chopped fine
1 Tablespoon ranch dressing dry mix (like Hidden Valley)
1/2 teaspoon dill
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
The dill is optional :)
Nice! But, I counted 5 ingredients. Pecans are an ingredient!
The dill is optional, but with the dill it would be 5 ingredients! :)
thank you !