Classic Cheese Ball

5 from 3 votes
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This classic cheese ball is made with just a few ingredients and is the perfect appetizer! It’s delicious, easy to make, and feeds a crowd! I love serving it with crackers or veggies.

For more of my favorite holiday appetizers, check out these pigs in a blanket and million dollar deviled eggs.

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cheese ball on a white plate with crackers.

WHAT’S IN THIS CHEESE BALL?

See the recipe card below for ingredient quantities and complete instructions.

  • Cream Cheese – You’ll need two 8 ounce bricks of cream cheese, make sure it’s softened at room temperature for best results.
  • Granulated Garlic – Use fresh garlic if you prefer.
  • Worcestershire Sauce – Optional but adds great flavor.
  • Scallions – Any type of onion will work.
  • Cheddar Cheese – If you’re not a fan of cheddar cheese, use whatever shredded cheese you want.
  • Pecans – Any type of nuts will work for this recipe.
  • Bacon – Optional.
Ingredients for a cheese ball.

TOP TIPS

  • Want to add some heat? Throw in some diced jalapenos or some cayenne pepper.
  • Simply omit the bacon for a vegetarian version.
  • Don’t have pecans on hand? Use crushed walnuts or peanuts instead.

MAKE AHEAD INSTRUCTIONS

Want to make this ahead of time? Simply combine all of the ingredients in a bowl, form it into a ball, and wrap it with plastic wrap until you plan on serving it. I recommend making it 1-2 days in advance. Allow it to come to room temperature before serving, for best results.

ingredients in a large bowl.

STORAGE

Place any leftovers in an air-tight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

cheese ball up close.

Tried this classic cheese ball? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page. And consider following me on Facebook or Pinterest!

cheese ball on a white plate with crackers.
5 from 3 votes

Classic Cheese Ball

Prep: 20 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Servings: 16
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Ingredients 

  • 16 ounces cream cheese , softened
  • 1 scallion, finely sliced
  • 6 strips crispy bacon, cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese , shredded
  • ½ cup pecans, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • crackers, for serving

Instructions 

  • Place all of the ingredients into a bowl and mix until well combined, I like to use my hands for this.
  • Form the mixture into a ball and serve with crackers or veggies and enjoy!

Notes

  • Want to add some heat? Throw in some diced jalapenos or some cayenne pepper.
  • Simply omit the bacon for a vegetarian version.
  • Don’t have pecans on hand? Use crushed walnuts or peanuts instead.

Nutrition

Calories: 185kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 192mg | Potassium: 78mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 464IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Servings: 16
Calories: 185
Keyword: cheese ball, classic cheese ball, how to make a cheese ball
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5 from 3 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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