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Mom’s Classic Cheese Ball

Prep Time: 15 minutes
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Mom’s Classic Cheese Ball

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My Mom’s Classic Cheese ball recipe is the perfect holiday appetizer! Sharp cheddar, cream cheese, and spices rolled in crunchy pecans come together into the most delicious cheese ball recipe.

This easy, cheesy appetizer comes together quickly and simply–perfect for the busy holiday season. A classic cheese ball is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, or any dinner party!

Mom’s Classic Cheese Ball Recipe

My Mom’s classic cheese ball recipe has been present at every single holiday I can remember. It’s one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving!

While dinner cooks, we would be snacking on cheese ball and crackers and enjoying sparking cider (or wine as I got older). Growing up in the midwest, this cheese ball recipe has been passed down through my mom’s family for decades!

Sharp cheddar cheese spread combined with cream cheese, dijon, chives, bell pepper, and shallot and rolled in crunchy pecans is absolute heaven! The combination of flavors is SO good and it gets better the longer it sits.

This classic cheese ball recipe is so perfect for your holiday table and I hope you love it as much as I do.

Classic cheese ball recipe

Need more turkey day inspiration? Check out my Thanksgiving recipe collection.

How to Make a Classic Cheese Ball

This recipe comes together in no time at all and can easily be prepped in advance for the holidays!

Tools Needed

Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Cheddar cheese spread. I use Kaukauna because that’s how my mom makes it! You could use other brands like Merkt’s, Shullsberg creamery, or Pine River. Do not use kraft spreadable cheese for this, it does not set up well enough. Another option is the horseradish pub cheese spread from Trader Joe’s which I LOVE.
  • Cream cheese. Use full-fat brick cream cheese for this recipe.
  • Shallot. I love the subtle onion flavor that shallot adds, but you could also use really finely minced white or yellow onion.
  • Green bell pepper. The green bell pepper adds a nice savory flavor, but you could swap in a different color.
  • Worcestershire. A couple of dashes of Worcestershire sauce make all the difference.
  • Dijon. The dijon adds a nice savory and acidic note to balance out the cheese.
  • Chives. I love the color and flavor that fresh chives add.
  • Pecans. Toasted, unsalted chopped pecans work best.

The Process

  1. Mix the cheeseball. Combine the cheddar, cream cheese, chives, shallot, bell pepper, dijon, Worcestershire, and paprika in a mixing bowl. Use a rubber spatula to mix well. Season to taste with salt and pepper, if needed.
  2. Chill. Spread sheet of plastic wrap on a work surface and pile the cheese ball mixture in the center. Wrap the plastic around the cheese mixture and form into a ball. Refrigerate at least 4 hours, overnight is better.
  3. Roll in pecans. Lay the chopped pecans on a plate. Remove the cheese ball from the plastic wrap and roll in pecans. Let the cheese come to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving with crackers.

What to Serve with a Classic Cheese Ball

I like serving my classic cheese ball with buttery crackers like Ritz or club crackers, but you can use any cracker. I also love crackers like wheat thins and triscuits.

Vegetables like celery sticks, carrots, bell pepper, or thick radish slices would work well too. The spread is also good smeared on a crusty baguette or crostini!

Classic Cheese Ball recipe

Make Ahead Instructions

The beauty of this classic cheese ball recipe is that it’s easy to prep in advance making it one less thing you have to do when you’re hosting. In fact, the flavors only get better the longer they sit.

The cheese ball mixture can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in plastic wrap or in an airtight container. Just roll in the chopped pecans before serving.

Classic Cheese Ball Storage Instructions

Even after the classic cheese ball is rolled in pecans, you can still store it in the fridge in an airtight container for another day or two.

The pecans may not be as crispy, but it’ll still be very flavorful.

Classic cheese ball recipe


This Classic Cheese Ball recipe is so perfect for the holidays! It’s creamy, crunchy, savory–all your guests will love it. If you do give this recipe a try, be sure to let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. Be sure to subscribe to my weekly newsletter and never miss a new recipe! You can also snap a photo & tag @JENNYGOYCOCHEA on Instagram. I LOVE hearing about & seeing your SMF creations!

More Appetizer Recipes to Try

Tuna Tartare
Roasted Shrimp Cocktail
Oysters with Mignonette
Cheese & Charcuterie Board
Cranberry Baked Brie

This post contains affiliate links from which I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate links allow me to keep providing great recipes for free and I never recommend products that I don’t love and personally own.

Classic Cheese Ball recipe
Appetizer, Appetizers

Classic Cheese Ball Recipe

My Mom's Classic Cheese ball recipe is the perfect holiday appetizer! Sharp cheddar, cream cheese, and spices rolled in crunchy pecans come together into the most delicious cheese ball recipe.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Makes: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese spread, like Kaukauna*
  • 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 small shallot, finely minced
  • 1/2 cup finely minced green bell pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons dijon
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh chives
  • 1 1/2 cup finely chopped toasted pecans
  • crackers, for serving

Instructions

  • Mix the cheeseball. Combine the cheddar, cream cheese, chives, shallot, bell pepper, dijon, Worcestershire, and paprika in a mixing bowl. Use a rubber spatula to mix well. Season to taste with salt and pepper, if needed.
  • Chill. Spread sheet of plastic wrap on a work surface and pile the cheese ball mixture in the center. Wrap the plastic around the cheese mixture and form into a ball. Refrigerate at least 4 hours, overnight is better.
  • Roll in pecans. Lay the chopped pecans on a plate. Remove the cheese ball from the plastic wrap and roll in pecans. Let the cheese come to room temperature for 30 minutes before serving with crackers.

Notes

* Do not use Kraft old english cheddar spread for this recipe, as it does not set up well. Other brands of cheddar spread include Merkt’s and Trader Joe’s Pub Cheese Spread.

Nutrition

Calories: 334kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 4gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 407mgPotassium: 159mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 749IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 149mgIron: 1mg

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