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Cheese Ball

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By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Updated Oct 28, 2023
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Want to make sure your next get together is a hit? Take your hosting game to the next level with this applause-worthy classic Cheese Ball recipe— your guests will “ooh,” “aah,” and “mmm.” Best of all, it’s made with cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and a few other simple ingredients, so it couldn’t be easier to assemble. Just add your favorite crackers and wait for the wows to roll in!

What is a cheese ball?

Cheese balls are a classic and a perfect addition to any gathering you host, or a tasty take-along to any get-together you attend. This recipe contains cream cheese and a blend of cheese, usually with some shredded cheddar for good measure. It gets a bit of a kick from onions and Worcestershire sauce, and it’s coated chopped nuts, crushed pretzels, bread crumbs, or parsley like this delicious version. Just add crackers and you’ve got yourself a party!

When do you serve a cheese ball?

There’s no such thing as a bad time for cheese! However, the richness of this elegant dish makes it ideal to share. A holiday cheese ball is a classic for any Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year’s spread. It’s also great for parties and potlucks. Anywhere people will be milling and mingling, it’s the perfect snack to keep the good times going.

More About This Recipe

  • Is there anything more festive than a classic cheese ball? It’s fun to look at, even more fun to eat, and it has just the right touch of retro panache. Put out a cheese ball at your next get together and then get ready–wherever you serve this tasty dish, that’s where guests will congregate!

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of cheese is in a cheese ball?

The classic version of this appetizer starts with a base of cream cheese and shredded cheddar. From there you can add another cheese of your choice to create the flavor you prefer. Feta, blue cheese or gorgonzola are all tasty options. Go ahead, experiment with different combinations of shredded and crumbled cheeses and see what you like best!

What goes well with cheese balls?

The question may be, what DOESN’T go well with a classic cheese ball? While crackers are the most common companion, an assortment of crunchy veggies pairs nicely as well. You could also serve your cheese ball with pretzels, crostini, toasted mini bagels, or pita triangles. If you really want to mix things up, try sliced apples and pears for a sweet and savory twist. Use your creativity to come up with combinations your guests will love.

Why is my cheese ball so hard?

You want your cheese ball to be firm enough to hold its shape, but soft enough to allow for easy spreading. To achieve this consistency, the key is making sure your cream cheese is softened before preparing. If it’s too fresh-from-the-fridge, go ahead and microwave for 10 seconds to soften before adding it to your recipe.

Cheese Ball

  • Prep Time 20 min
  • Total 10 hr 50 min
  • Servings 16
  • Ingredients 7
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Ingredients

  • 2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese
  • 3/4 cup crumbled blue, Gorgonzola or feta cheese (4 oz)
  • 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (4 oz)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped (1/4 cup)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • Assorted crackers, if desired

Instructions

  • Step 
    1
    Place cheeses in medium bowl; let stand at room temperature about 30 minutes or until softened. Beat onion and Worcestershire sauce into cheeses with electric mixer on low speed until mixed. Beat on medium speed 1 to 2 minutes, scraping bowl frequently, until fluffy. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours until firm enough to shape into a ball.
  • Step 
    2
    Shape cheese mixture into 1 large ball. Roll in parsley; place on serving plate. Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours or until firm. Serve with crackers.

Nutrition

160 Calories
14g Total Fat
6g Protein
2g Total Carbohydrate
1g Sugars

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 2 Tablespoons
Calories
160
Calories from Fat
130
Total Fat
14g
22%
Saturated Fat
9g
45%
Trans Fat
0g
Cholesterol
45mg
15%
Sodium
240mg
10%
Potassium
80mg
2%
Total Carbohydrate
2g
1%
Dietary Fiber
0g
0%
Sugars
1g
Protein
6g
% Daily Value*:
Vitamin A
15%
15%
Vitamin C
4%
4%
Calcium
10%
10%
Iron
4%
4%
Exchanges:
0 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 1 High-Fat Meat; 1 Fat;
Carbohydrate Choice
0
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

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