Patrick Oconnell
The best cheese ball recipe ever is a highly subjective topic, as everyone has different tastes and preferences. However, a classic cheese ball recipe typically includes cream cheese, sharp Cheddar cheese, green onions, and chopped pecans or other nuts. Some popular variations include adding bacon bits, dried parsley, garlic powder, lemon juice, hot sauce, or Worcestershire sauce. This appetizer is perfect for parties and holidays, as it can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for several days or even up to two weeks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Cream cheese, cheddar cheese, green onion, chopped pecans, bell pepper, scallions, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, hot sauce, paprika, parsley, bacon bits, almonds, walnuts, Craisins, dried oregano, black pepper, hot pepper sauce, onion powder, blue cheese, parmesan cheese |
| Preparation | Mix ingredients, chill, form into balls, roll in nuts, wrap in plastic, refrigerate |
| Serving suggestions | Crackers, pretzels, veggies, wheat thins, buttery crackers, celery sticks, radish slices, crusty baguette, tortilla wrap |
| Storage | Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 1 month |
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What You'll Learn
Ingredients: cheddar, cream cheese, green onion, pecans
A classic cheese ball is the perfect party appetizer and can be made in just a few minutes. This recipe uses cheddar, cream cheese, green onion, and pecans, but you can add extra spices or herbs for more flavour.
First, you'll need to grate 8 oz of sharp cheddar cheese. Freshly grated cheese will make a big difference to the flavour and texture of your cheese ball, so it's important to grate it yourself. Next, add 16 oz of softened cream cheese to a mixing bowl and beat until smooth. You can use low-fat cream cheese if you prefer. Then, add the grated cheddar, 3 tablespoons of chopped green onion, and a dash of hot sauce. You can also add some dried parsley, garlic powder, dried oregano, ground black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Beat the mixture until everything is well combined.
Once the mixture is ready, use a spatula and your hands to form it into a ball. Grease your hands lightly to prevent the mixture from sticking. Place the ball on a plate and put chopped pecans on a separate plate. Roll the cheese ball in the pecans, gently pressing and turning it to coat all sides. Wrap the cheese ball in cling wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour to firm up. You can also make this recipe ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just remember to add the nuts closer to serving so they don't get soft.
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Rolling and coating: roll in pecans, chill, then serve
Once you've prepared your cheese mixture, it's time to roll it into a ball and coat it with pecans! First, make sure your pecans are finely chopped. Toasting the pecans beforehand will add a nice depth of flavour to your cheese ball. Spread the chopped pecans onto a clean surface or cutting board, creating an even layer.
Next, separate your cheese mixture into halves or thirds, depending on how many cheese balls you plan to make. Using your hands or a large spatula, scoop out one portion of the cheese mixture and form it into a ball. Place the cheese ball onto the bed of chopped pecans and use your hands or plastic wrap to gently roll the cheese ball around, ensuring it is completely coated in pecans. Repeat this process with your remaining cheese mixture.
After your cheese balls are coated, you can serve them immediately or chill them in the refrigerator for later. They will stay fresh for several days to up to two weeks, depending on the freshness of your ingredients. If you want to make your cheese balls ahead of time, you can wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator for up to a week.
When you're ready to serve, simply remove the plastic wrap and place the cheese ball on a serving platter. Serve with crackers, pretzels, veggies, or any other desired accompaniments. Enjoy!
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Flavourings: garlic, hot sauce, lemon, Worcestershire sauce
To make a delicious cheese ball with garlic, hot sauce, lemon, and Worcestershire sauce, you'll need a combination of cheeses, spices, and nuts. This recipe will serve 10-12 as an appetizer.
For the cheese ball, you'll need softened cream cheese, grated sharp cheddar cheese, and optionally, pepper Jack cheese. You can also add scallions, bell peppers, and parsley or green onions for extra flavour and colour. The star of the show, however, is the combination of flavourings: garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, fresh lemon juice, and hot sauce. These ingredients add umami, tang, and a little heat to your cheese ball. You can also add a pinch of black pepper to taste.
First, add your softened cream cheese to a large bowl and whisk to loosen the texture. Then, mix in the grated cheddar cheese, bell pepper, and scallions. Next, add in your flavourings: garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and hot sauce. Taste and adjust the flavours as needed. You can also add a dash of black pepper for an extra kick.
Once your cheese mixture is combined, it's time to form the cheese ball. Divide the mixture in half and place each half onto a large sheet of plastic wrap. Gather the edges of the plastic wrap and twist them closed to form a ball. Repeat with the other half of the mixture. Refrigerate your cheese balls for at least an hour, or up to a day.
While your cheese balls are chilling, prepare the coating. Chopped pecans are a classic choice, but you can also use other nuts or seeds, or even crushed crackers, pretzels, or potato chips. If you're feeling adventurous, try rolling the cheese ball in crumbled bacon or chopped dried fruit. Toast the nuts or seeds before coating the cheese ball for an extra robust, nutty flavour.
After your cheese balls have chilled, it's time to assemble. Simply roll them in your chosen coating until they're completely covered. Serve your cheese balls with crackers, pretzels, thick vegetables like carrots or celery, or anything else you'd like to dip into cheesy goodness! Enjoy!
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Storage: refrigerate for a week, or freeze for a month
Storing your cheeseball in the refrigerator will ensure it stays fresh for a week or two, depending on the freshness of your ingredients. To estimate how long your cheeseball will last in the fridge, check the expiration dates on your ingredients. If you've used recently purchased ingredients, your cheeseball should last about two weeks in the refrigerator.
If you want to store your cheeseball for longer, you can freeze it for up to one month. First, wrap the cheeseball (without any nuts or other toppings) in plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe ziplock bag. When you're ready to serve it, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator, and add nuts or other toppings once it's completely thawed.
Cheeseballs are a great make-ahead option for parties and holidays, and freezing them is a good way to use up leftovers and reduce food waste. However, it's important to note that cheeseballs should not be stored in the freezer for longer than three months, as the flavor and texture will start to degrade.
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Serving suggestions: crackers, veggies, baguette, tortilla wrap
Crackers are a classic accompaniment to cheese balls. You can serve them with any type of cracker, from wheat thins to Ritz crackers, or even a sturdy option like a pretzel. For a more gourmet option, opt for a crusty baguette. If you want to add a bit of crunch to your cheese ball, serve it with an array of fresh veggies on the side. Celery sticks, thick radish slices, or even a simple carrot stick would all be delicious options. For a more unique serving suggestion, spread your cheese ball on a tortilla and roll it up for a tasty wrap.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need cream cheese, sharp Cheddar cheese, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, garlic powder, and pecans. You can also add in green onions, bell peppers, scallions, lemon juice, and parsley.
There is no definitive answer, but a highly-rated recipe includes cream cheese, sharp Cheddar cheese, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, garlic powder, and pecans.
First, mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Then, form the mixture into a ball and wrap it in plastic wrap. Finally, roll the wrapped ball in chopped pecans until well coated.
A cheese ball will stay fresh for several days or up to 2 weeks depending on the freshness of your ingredients. To extend its shelf life, you can freeze a cheese ball for up to 1 month.
A cheese ball is typically served with crackers, pretzels, or veggies.
