The Best Cheeseball
A famous recipe given to me by my father-in-law, this really is the best cheeseball recipe out there. Flavorful, delicious, and SO easy!
I couldn’t resist posting a recipe for the best cheeseball recipe just in case you need a last minute appetizer for your slammin’ New Year’s Eve party.
You know, like my party: husband and four kids eating cheeseballs and playing Hi, Ho Cherrie-O and everyone (including mommy) tucked into bed at 8:30 p.m.
Bet you wish you could be here!
I love me a good cheeseball.
In fact, I would bypass almost anything else on an appetizer spread and go straight for the cheeseball.
I also happen to enjoy a large cheeseball to cracker ratio, just in case you wanted to know (you can tell a lot about a person through details like this).
I’ve been perfecting this cheeseball recipe for years. Go ahead, laugh.
I know you’ll think it’s silly that I’ve been perfecting a cheeseball recipe of all things, but maybe now you’ll understand how important cheeseballs are in my life.
Packed with cheese (kind of a no-brainer, eh?) and simple, delicious flavors, this cheeseball is sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Or you can hide yourself in your closet pantry and eat it all by yourself…although I wouldn’t dream of doing that.
FAQs for The Best Cheeseball
Yes, it works great!
You could try anything crunchy on the outside, for example sunflower seeds or crackers.
I wrap each cheeseball in plastic wrap and then pop them in a small gift bag (usually plain white or kraft paper brown) with a sleeve of ritz crackers and tie the handles of the bag with a piece of twine.
I’ve kept them in the fridge for up to 10 days before and they work out great (as long as your ingredients are fresh).
The Best Cheeseball
Ingredients
- 4 packages (8-ounces each) cream cheese, softened
- 4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon pepper, I use coarsely ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce, optional
- 1 cup pecans, finely chopped for rolling
Instructions
- Place finely chopped pecans in a shallow dish and set aside. In a large bowl (or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), mix the cream cheese until smooth. Add the cheddar cheese and mix until just combined. Lightly sprinkle all the seasonings and sauces over the cheese mixture and mix until thoroughly combined.
- With lightly greased hands, portion the cheese mixture into four pieces (or two, if you want larger cheeseballs) and roll each section into a round ball. Coat in pecans. One easy way to do this is to hold the cheeseball in one hand and scoop up the pecans and press them onto the cheeseball with the other, turning the cheeseball as you go and letting the excess pecans fall back into the dish (this also helps the pecans to go a little further).
- Cover each cheeseball in saran wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
Recipe originally published Dec 2009; updated Dec 2017 with new photos/commentary/recipe notes
My mom made cheese balls for everyone in our neighborhood and ward growing up and I knew I would continue the tradition for mine. My cheese ball recipe is different, but I do like this recipe for a change. I go to a local restaurant supply store and buy those small, clear, plastic containers and put my cheese balls in them for the gifts. It’s my favorite Christmas tradition!
This was fantastic, just like the one my grandma used to make during the holidays! Thanks for sharing & happy New Year 🙂
We made 111 cheeseballs—just 1 oz size, with a little stack of Ritz to go with them—for neighbors, and the response has been so great! Sam’s Club sells cream cheese in 3 lb bricks, which made it slick to make 1.5x the recipe.
Thanks for a great recipe and a fabulous idea. I’m glad I tucked it away years ago. The story makes me choke up every time I’ve read it.
You’re amazing, Deidra!!
Can you freeze the cheese ball?
In my experience, the cheese ball doesn’t freeze great (the texture is a bit crumbly after thawing).
I rolled two-one in just cheese for the boring folks and the other in everything bagel seasoning! Yum!
Your father in law and I went to the same cheese ball school. I’ve been making these for 60 years. Don’t deviate from perfection!
Hi Mel! Would light cream cheese work in this recipe? Or perhaps a mixture of 2 packages light and 2 packages full fat?
Light cream cheese tends to be a bit softer in texture and so using all light cream cheese (kind of depends on the brand, too) may make for a really soft cheeseball that doesn’t hold its shape very well, but it’s worth a try! Definitely half light/half regular cream cheese would work well.
My 3-year-old son just announced “This cheeseball is a masterpiece!” I can’t disagree. Delicious!
Delicous, as always! Perfect for New Years tonight!
In the recipe above, it says: 4 cups (16 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Is it 4 cups or is it 16 ounces (ie 2 cups) of sharp cheddar cheese? I just wanted to check so I didn’t mess up the recipe.
It’s 4 cups. The 16 ounces refers to the weight of the cheese not the 8 ounce volume of a cup.
Hi Mel. I’m not sure if I’ve missed the answer elsewhere in the comments …but how long does this last in the refrigerator? Thanks!
Up to a week!
Can’t wait to try this cheese ball recipe! Does pre-shredded cheese work alright, or do you recommend shredding it from a block for the best results?
Either works great!
I made this for thanksgiving, and then realize as couple days later that I was so sad it was all gone, so I got ingredients to make one just for myself, haha. This is a new recipe than the one I usually make, and I can’t wait to make it again! I rolled it in toasted pecans.
This was so yummy! I sometimes get really strong cheese cravings and this was so satisfying. My husband and I both agreed it was the best we ever had. Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe.
When you say hot pepper sauce- do you mean like a Tobasco? or a Sriracha? I tried googling the differences and it’s just leading me overthink it. lol I’m guessing whatever I have on hand or prefer will meld well with this. I always have Sriracha… soo…
I’ve used both and either works great! I mostly use sriracha these days.
It turned out awesome as expected! The hardest part was waiting for the flavors to meld for a more uniform flavor. Yes, Sriracha hit the spot! It was easy to halve the recipe as well.
Delish cheese ball. Will repeat this recipe.
K, I’ve never made cheeseballs. But after reading this, it’s a must! What are all the types of crackers you use? This will be perfect for the Superbowl!
I usually use triscuits, wheat thins, pretzel crisps and anything else interesting I can find. 🙂
Mel
I am in charge of the cheese ball for Thanksgiving. However we have tree nut allergies in my extended family. Will this be just as yummy without being rolled in pecans?
Sure!
Love this cheese ball recipe! Just wondering how long it can be frozen for freshness? I have one in the freezer that I made for New Years. Yes or no?
I haven’t tried freezing them, so I’m not sure?? but probably several months is fine as long as it is well wrapped.
We just enjoyed one of these cheese balls that I put in the freezer a year ago. A freezer bag of several mini-sized ones had worked its way to the bottom of the freezer and had been forgotten until recently. I am pleased to say it was still delicious! Someone even asked me for the recipe. Thanks for a great one, Mel!
Loved it!! I grew up having Hickory Farms cheeseballs and I definitely will keep making this one. I used garlic chili paste and rolled in sliced almonds.
Hi Mel,
I’m making cheese balls for neighbors this year and can’t wait to try you’re recipe. Couple questions: when this make this in bulk, How many times do you double it to fit in your mixer? Do you grate all the cheese yourself or buy pre-grated cheese? How big do you make your cheese balls that you give to neighbors and how many balls can you get from one extra-large batch? I’m sure you have a great process for assembling these as a family too to all tips are appreciated!
Is there something I can substitute the nuts with (for allergy purposes)?
You could try anything crunchy on the outside – maybe sunflower seeds or even crackers?
Growing up we would give cheeseballs out at Christmas time and my mom would make half rolled in nuts and half rolled on more shredded cheddar cheese. I actually prefer it the cheese way instead of nuts.
I know some people roll them in chopped parsley. I think it’s more for look.
Have you ever made mini cheese balls with this recipe?
Yes, it works great.
Made this for a family dinner and everyone loved it!
Since the first time I made this, my family and friends always ask for it during any foody gatherings. I roast the becans first while I make the cheese ball. Soooo easy, absolute crowd pleaser and some people won’t believe you made it.
Hi, I am making this for a dinner party tomorrow night. Can anyone tell me what kind of dried parsley you are supposed to use ? I can only find parsley flakes, but ground parsley seems to make more sense for this.
Parsley flakes will work! That’s what I mean when I say dried parsley.
My first cheeseball ever, and it was beautiful! I feel like such a rock star! Thank you, Mel!
I can’t remember where I read it (maybe your newsletter?), but you said you have given away cheeseballs for Christmas many years—I think you said 50, which sounds insane to me. I was just wondering if you’ve come up with a fun way to package/gift them? I may do this in the future….
Hi Stacie – I wrap each cheeseball in plastic wrap and then pop them in a small gift bag (usually plain white or kraft paper brown) with a sleeve of ritz crackers and tie the handles of the bag with a piece of twine.
Great recipe. Because I am a Southern girl, I threw in a small jar of chopped, drained pimentos. They added a lovely color and taste!
The greatest thing about this cheeseball is that it suddenly transported me back to my Grandma’s house and so many happy memories of her flooded back (she passed away in 2001).
The unfortunate thing is that it broke part of the cookie paddle on my Bosch and now I’m digging through the entire recipe, looking for a tiny, sharp piece of white plastic. Waaahhh. Wish me luck!
This cheeseball is wonderful!!! Thank you for the recipe! We will be enjoying this on Christmas Eve.
Fantastic!! Dare I say it’s better than my Mom’s. It is. Thank you for sharing. The spices are perfection. Can’t wait to serve it Christmas Eve.
Hi Mel, I am a long time follower of your blog—just wanted to say I’ve been making these cheeseballs for a few years now and they are SO good! I add a Tbsp or two of Sambal Oelek chili paste for just a touch of heat. Thank you for the constant flow of great recipes and ideas!!
I love the idea of adding the chili paste!
What is the bacon jalapeño topping referenced in one of the comments?
I think it’s referring to this recipe: https://www.melskitchencafe.com/bacon-jalapeno-popper-cheeseball/
My family’s favourite cheeseball is identical to this save two minor changes. First, instead of oregano I add very finely chopped green onions. Second, instead of pecans, we roll ours in shredded, sweetened coconut (preferably the coloured kind). I know what you are thinking. Coconut, really? Trust me, it is to die for. If you are fond of the sweet/salty combo then it will be a winner for sure. We make two every Christmas (one for Christmas Eve and one for New year’s Eve) and they disappear before the night is through.
Yum! I’ll have to try that!
When my husband asked me to make a cheeseball for Christmas your site was the first place I came to search for a recipe, and you didn’t let me down! I used this cheese ball recipe with your bacon jalapeño popper topping. I took it to two different places and everyone loved it, especially my husband! I’m sure I will be making it every Christmas from now on 🙂 Thank you!
Mel Thank you so much for your reply. I had gone ahead and made the cheese balls hoping I had the right one….and I did! They are gifts and turned out beautifully! I even have have an extra one for our Christmas Eve get together. I have printed out and use so many of your wonderful recipes. Thank you for making my life a little easier. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and many Blessings in the New Year.
So, panic moment from my M-I-L when she couldn’t find a cheeseball at the store for our Christmas Eve celebration. So I said, “I’ll make one.” She looked at me incredulously and said, “YOU make cheese balls?” And I said “of course!” And in my mind I said, ‘well, I haven’t made them, but I’m sure Mel has a great recipe, and that’s the same as having a tried-and-true one in my repertoire.” Merry Christmas!
Haha, loved this SO much! Happy cheeseball making!
Haha, this is awesome! Pretty sure I’ve said the same thing with MKC in mind 🙂
What kind of hot sauce do you typically use?
Tapatio usually.
I would like to make just one cheese ball so would I quarter the ingredients?
Yep.
I have made this cheese ball for the past two years. It is one of the BEST cheese balls EVER. Every time I get invited to a holiday party, they now are begging me to bring the beloved cheese ball. Thanks for making me a top winner at the holiday feast.
I made this last for Thanksgiving and it was a hit. You might want to revamp this recipe to include toasted pecans. Toasting the pecans put this recipe into the sainted box called “Mom’s Recipes” along with peanut butter crisscrosses, buttermilk pie and gumbo. Oh, I forgot, the heading for the recipe in Mom’s recipe box is: “Mel’s Best Cheese Ball”. The way my family saves recipes this could possibly end up on Mars a hundred years from now. Those little green men will love it!
Thanks for this comment. Last night I toasted the last of my pecans just to do something with them, not remembering I’d wanted to make a cheese ball. Good to know things only get better.
Can I just make one big cheeseball?
Sure.
This is almost identical to the recipe I use, and it is delicious!! I am allergic to nuts so I roll it in fresh parsley instead. I also use the food processor and chop fresh garlic instead of using the powder. Its addicting!
I just made this and yep, Mel, you are right again. It is the best! My husband can not stay out of it. So happy! 🙂 Thank you!
So I have a party I’m bringing this to tomorrow night and then a party Christmas Eve. Should I freeze the cheese ball that’s for Christmas or do you think it’ll be fine in the fridge for 5 days? Thanks in advance:)
Hi Carolyn, they’ll be fine for 5 days. I’ve kept them in the fridge for up to 10 days before and they work out great (as long as your ingredients are fresh).
I have never made a cheeseball but I tried this one for company the other night. It was a real crowd pleaser. I took one into work for a holiday party and it was a huge hit there, too.