Easy Cheese Ball

I love cheese and crackers! They are one of my favorite things to eat for lunch. And when it comes to get-togethers and Christmas and other holiday parties, I always seek out the cheese ball! This easy cheese ball recipe is one of my favorites! I can’t stop eating it, haha.

What can be better than three types of cheese blended together with a few other yummy ingredients? Paired with your favorite crackers, it is a party in your mouth with every bite!

I love how versatile a cheese ball is as well, so many different things you can do with it. Different cheeses you can use, different nuts, and other things to go on the outside. They are so simple to make, no cooking or baking is required of any kind. If I can do it, you can do it. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Gather the ingredients

In order to make this easy cheese ball recipe you need just a handful of ingredients:

• Cream cheese – It needs to be softened and at room temp. If you forget to take it out of the fridge to soften, you can put it in the microwave on the defrost setting for 30 to 45 seconds to soften it.
• Shredded Cheddar cheese – Use mild, medium, or sharp
• Shredded Monterey Jack – Or for some extract kick, use pepper jack cheese.
• Chopped green onion – This is optional.
• Butter – Use salted or unsalted butter, this is optional.
• Ground black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Chopped nuts – Pecans, pistachios, almond slices, walnuts, or a combination of them all.
• Other optional ingredients include bacon bits, paprika, seasoning salt, ranch powder, etc.

Tools

• Cutting board
• Knife
• Grater – or buy already shredded cheese.
• Plastic wrap
• Gloves, (optional)

Step 2: How to make an easy cheese ball

Add all of the ingredients minus the nuts to a food processor us a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. So the cheeses, spices, and green onion.

Mix everything until well combined.

TIP: This recipe is so easy to change up, if you don’t like the cheddar or jack cheeses, use Colby, mozzarella, Blue cheese, Manchego, Gouda, or other cheeses.

NOTE: If you don’t have a food processor or stand mixer with a paddle attachment, you can use a hand mixer.

Dump the cheese ball mixture onto a clean counter, a piece of parchment paper, or a silicone baking mat. Then using clean hands or wearing gloves, pack the cheese tightly into a ball shape.

Wrap the cheese ball in plastic and place it in the fridge for at least an hour. Then when you want to serve it, remove the cheese ball from the fridge and unwrap it.

Roll the cheese ball in a bed of nuts, you can use chopped pecans, walnuts, pistachios, pecans, etc. Or do a combination of all of those nuts.

And just like that, you have a tasty easy cheese ball. Put it on a plate and surround it with your favorite crackers and enjoy!

Make sure to wrap up any leftovers back in plastic and store them in the fridge.

How long do cheese balls last?

A homemade cheese ball will last about 2 weeks in the fridge if wrapped in plastic or stored in an airtight container.

Here are some other recipes you make like:

Pretzel Reindeer

Strawberry Cheesecake Mousse Chocolate Cups

Oreo Turkeys

Corn Tortillas

Easy Basic Cornbread

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5 from 3 votes

Easy Cheese Ball

I love cheese and crackers, and this easy cheese ball is one of my favorite things to eat with crackers. It is so simple to make with just a handful of ingredients.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time0 mins

Chilling Time1 hr

Total Time1 hr 10 mins

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Christmas, crackers, Holidays

Servings: 10 people

Calories: 242kcal

Author: Matt Taylor

Equipment

• Cutting board
• Knife
• Grater
• Plastic wrap
• Gloves, (optional)

Ingredients

• 8 oz softened cream cheese 226g
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese mild, medium, or sharp (83g)
• 1 cup shredded Monterey jack or pepper jack cheese 83g
• 1/4 cup chopped green onion 26g (optional)
• 1 tbsp unsalted or salted butter 14g (optional)
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper 1g
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder 2g
• Other optional spices include paprika seasoning salt, ranch powder
• 1 cup of chopped pecans almond slices, pistachios, or a combination of them all. (125g)
• 1/4 cup bacon bits 55g (optional)

Instructions

• Put the cheeses, chopped green onion, black pepper, and garlic powder and, any other spices in a food processor, or use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. Blend until well combined.
• Once blended scoop it out onto a counter and shape it into a ball with clean hands or wear gloves. Then wrap it with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour.
• When you are ready to serve it, remove it and roll the cheese ball in nuts, bacon bits, more chopped green onion, etc. Then enjoy with your favorite crackers! Super easy right?

Video

How to Make a Cheese Ball | Easy Homemade Cheese Ball recipe

Notes

Note: The calorie amount will be decreased the more servings you have. 

Tip: You can switch out the cheddar and jack cheese with other cheeses like gouda, blue cheese, Manchego, etc. 

Do you like this recipe? Share and Pin it! Please give it a rating and comment down below, I really appreciate it. If you make it tag me on Instagram @inthekitchenwithmatt. Also, sign up for the newsletter so you won’t miss out on any of my new posts and recipes.