Let’s elevate your cheesy game to legendary status with this Easy Cheese Ball Recipe. So simple it could charm its way out of a locked pantry. But here’s the twist that’ll have your taste buds doing the tango: a top-secret seasoning that’ll make your guests gasp in gastronomic delight. Get ready to be the talk of the town as you roll out this mysterious, magnificent, and magnificently easy-to-make cheese ball that’ll leave everyone wondering, “What’s the magic behind this marvelous mouthful?”
Obsessed with cheesy appetizers and snacks? Honestly, same. Here are some of my other go-to options: Beer Cheese Dip with One Ingredient Pretzel Bites and Spinach Artichoke Dip. I could easily eat all of those on my own, but they’re also great for sharing!
Why You’ll Love This Classic Cheese Ball
- Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together in just 10 minutes and you will be shocked at how simple it really is.
- Make Ahead: You can make this up to two days in advance and it tastes even better with time!
- Easy to Customize: You can add or take out ingredients based on your tastes!
“I love it! It was quick and easy.”
– Carol
I am the biggest sucker for appetizers. ESPECIALLY dips made of cheese. We started making this super easy cheese ball recipe a few years ago and it has become a staple in our home around the holidays! Why?
It is so stinken good. A ranch dressing packet adds a tangy flavor that is out of this world. Pair that with real bacon crumbles and cheddar cheese… You have one crazy good appetizer or snack recipe that no one can resist. Be prepared to hand out the recipe. It’s one of our top fan favorites and one requested on repeat all year long.
PS- want even more flavor? Try adding bacon and jalapeno to this recipe for a jalapeno popper cheese ball or some seasoning for an everything cheese ball that is out of this world delicious.
Cheese Ball Ingredients
Another winning part of this recipe is the tiny ingredient list! You only need SIX ingredients! Even better? It takes less than 10 minutes to put together.
- Cream Cheese: When making a cheese ball, it is best to use regular full-fat cream cheese. The creamy texture and mild flavor of regular cream cheese allow it to blend well with other ingredients and create a smooth, delicious cheese ball. Avoid using low-fat or non-fat cream cheese, as they may result in a less creamy and less flavorful outcome.
- Cheddar Cheese: I like to shred my own cheese, but pre shredded works too.
- Ranch Dressing Seasoning: My secret ingredient that takes this cheese ball from good to great.
- Sour Cream: This not only thins the cream cheese slightly to make it perfect for dipping, but also adds a delightful tang that pairs amazingly well with the dressing.
- Bacon: Yes. Bacon. I like to cook my own and crumble, however we’ve recently discovered that Costco sells bacon crumbles that are equally delicious and save on prep.
- Green Onion: This adds a mild onion flavor that complements the creaminess of the cheese.
For a full list of ingredients and their measurements see the recipe card below.
How To Make A Cheese Ball Recipe
Because this recipe is SO easy, you really can’t mess it up. Just follow the simple instructions. However, I do have a few tips and tricks for making this even better down below.
- PREP: Pull out a piece of plastic wrap and place on a worksurface to be used later. Pro tip, you can place this into a bowl to help get that round shape.
- MIX: Combine all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl. Stir until fully incorporated.
- SHAPE: Transfer the cheese mixture directly onto the plastic wrap. Use the wrap to help form into a ball.
- CHILL: Chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until ready to serve. This is key to helping give time for those flavors to blend together and makes the cheese ball a 10/10.
Optional: You can always roll the cheese ball in toasted pecans or bacon crumbles. We opted out of this option due to a nut allergy.
Helpful Tools
- Mixing Bowls: I love this set of mixing bowls with lids (affiliate). They stack together which makes them super convenient to store and have so many sizes included.
- Airtight Container: Test out this set of bowls with lids (affiliate). Perfect sized and one of my most-used kitchen items!
- Silicone Spatulas: If I can only recommend one kitchen tool, it would be a set of silicone spatulas (affiliate). These are so versatile and used daily in our kitchen. Great for baking AND cooking.
Tips and FAQs:
Recipe Notes:
Absolutely! In fact, you should. This recipe needs a minimum of 4 hours to chill to allow the flavors to really shine. Just remember to cover it tightly with plastic wrap to maintain freshness.
When properly stored in an airtight container, the cheese ball can stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Absolutely! Experiment with flavored cream cheese like garlic, herb, or onion to add an extra layer of taste to your cheese ball.
The cheese ball pairs wonderfully with various accompaniments, such as crackers, pretzels, sliced baguette, vegetable sticks, or even apple slices.
Absolutely! Feel free to add your favorite ingredients, such as chopped nuts, dried fruits, cooked bacon, or different herbs, to create a cheese ball that suits your taste.
If your cheese ball is too soft to shape, pop it in the refrigerator for a bit to firm up before rolling it into a ball.
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The Best Cheese Ball Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 oz cream cheese
- 1 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (1oz) ranch dressing mix packet
- 3 tablespoons sour cream
- 5 pieces bacon cooked and crumbled
- 2-3 tablespoons green onion chopped
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl. Stir until fully incorporated. Set aside.
- Place a piece of plastic wrap into a large bowl. Transfer the cheese mixture into the wrap and bowl, using the wrap to help form into a ball.
- Chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight, until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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Comments & Reviews
Linda says
Can these be made ahead and frozen?
Jesseca says
Absolutely, you can freeze a cheese ball! It’s a great way to extend its shelf life and have a tasty snack ready for unexpected guests or late-night cravings. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or a freezer-safe bag to avoid freezer burn. Remember though, the texture might change a bit once thawed – it could be a tad crumblier. But flavor-wise, you’re still in for a treat! Perfect for those moments when you need a quick, delicious nibble.
Peggy King says
Made the cheeseball tonight for my grand daughters birthday party tomorrow. Really easy and taste so good.
Jesseca says
Hi Peggy, I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe! It’s actually going to taste even better tomorrow. As it sits overnight the flavors blend together giving you the most amazing flavor. I hope everyone at the party enjoys it!
Carol says
I love it
It was quick and easy
I tried to roll it everything seasoning
because my friend is allergic to nuts
It is perfect
Thank you
Jesseca says
What a wonderful idea to roll it in everything seasoning! I’ll have to give that a try.
Doris hinshaw says
U can roll the cheese ball in equal amount of chili pepper and paprika cover the he whole cheese ball in this also grate amounts of fresh garlic in the ball mixture our family love this
Jesseca says
Hi Doris, that sounds like an interesting version of this recipe. I’ll have to give it a try!
Presley says
Hi! This recipe was very good but I can’t lie I’m a little confused about the calories. Is one serving 315 calories? Because the ball is most definitely not 24 grams so therefore 1 gram couldn’t be 315 calories? Or am I just silly.
Jesseca says
Hi Presley, I am so sorry about that! There was definitely something off with the calorie count. I recently switched recipe cards and it looks like something messed up in the transfer. I just recalculated and believe this is more true to the correct count.
Granite State Confusion says
It is probably just me but the The Best Cheese Ball recipe is a little confusing. It calls for
1-3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 1oz ranch dressing mix packet
Do I add 1 3/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese or do I add (1) 3/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese? For the 1 1oz ranch dressing mix packet, do I add (1) 1oz of ranch dressing mix or?
Thank you in advance
Jesseca says
The recipe is fairly straightforward. It’s 1 and 3/4 cup of cheese plus one 1oz packet of ranch seasoning.
Granite State Confusion says
Thank you Jessica for the clarifications to both of my questions as well as, thank you for making the slight measurement clarifications to both of the ingredients in the recipe itself. Happy New Year!
Jesseca says
Happy New Year!
Dawn says
Hi. Thanks for your recipe. I haven’t tried it yet but am looking forward to it. Do you know if this can be frozen for later?
Thanks! Dawn
Jesseca says
Hi Dawn, according to a little online research, you should be able to freeze a cheese ball. From what I read, the best way to do this is to wrap the cheese ball in a layer of plastic wrap and a layer of foil. When you are ready to use it, thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
I hope this helps.