Party Cheese Ball Recipe - Cheese Ball with Cream Cheese (2024)

Is it really a party if there’s not party cheese ball? I’m not sure! But with this cheese ball with cream cheese recipe, you’ll never need to find out!

Party Cheese Ball Recipe - Cheese Ball with Cream Cheese (1)

This Party Cheese Ball recipe is a true party appetizer staple. This is a classic cream cheese ball recipe, made with simple ingredients that will keep you hovering need the appetizer table all night long!

There is nothing that says party more than a cream cheese ball. I think of the 50’s housewife who put out the co*cktail wieners and grape jelly meatballs.

Maybe a sweet JELLO mold?

Party Cheese Ball Recipe - Cheese Ball with Cream Cheese (2)

Cheese balls with cream cheese have been a party staple my entire life. I remember that as a child they were always one of the things I looked forward to eating whenever my family would host a holiday party.

As an adult, I’m not sure if there’s ever been a party I’ve hosted or attended that didn’t have a cream cheese ball sitting on the appetizer table.

Party Cheese Ball Recipe - Cheese Ball with Cream Cheese (3)

This the recipe for a classic Party Cheese Ball. No bells or whistles, nothing too out of the ordinary, just a plain cheese ball. That doesn’t mean you can’t add variations to make your party cheese ball fun and exciting, like changing the outside layer.

You could even divide this party cheese ball recipe into 2 or 3 separate balls and roll each one in something different for some variety.

Party Cheese Ball Recipe - Cheese Ball with Cream Cheese (4)But, in some cases, I think recipes are good on their own, without many extras. The simple ingredients in this party cheese ball recipe are what makes it so good. Simple ingredients and lots of flavor.

If I’m serving this party cheese ball recipe as one or two large cheese balls, I like to surround it with a variety of dipping options.

Crackers and pretzels are the obvious ones but cream cheese balls also pair well with fruit slices (especially apple and pair), crostinis or other crunchy bread, veggies (carrots or celery, among others), or even mini bagels. Salami and other similar meats are also a hit.

Party Cheese Ball Recipe - Cheese Ball with Cream Cheese (5)

This party cheese ball recipe can also be divided into many mini cheese balls, which I think just serve on a pretzel stick. Making mini cream cheese balls turns this into a much more portable snack and helps prevent everyone from hovering over the tray.

If people are going to hover around an appetizer, it’s probably going to be this cheese ball with cream cheese!

Party Cheese Ball Recipe - Cheese Ball with Cream Cheese (6)

More cheesy appetizers:

Pimento Cheese Spread

4.34 from 42 votes

A popular southern dish, this EASY Pimento Cheese recipe is made with only 6 ingredients and tastes great spread onto crackers or in a grilled cheese!

See The Recipe!

Olive Cheese Bread

4.88 from 8 votes

Don't have time to make homemade olive bread? Check out my hack for making this easy Olive Cheese Bread recipe. It takes no more than 15 minutes from start to finish!

See The Recipe!

Marinated Cheese

5 from 1 vote

Marinated Cheese is the perfect hostess or homemade holiday gift. Simple and tasty, it also makes an easy party appetizer!

See The Recipe!

Tools for making this Party Cheese Ball recipe:

Mixing Bowls– make sure to check out my article onUsing the Right Mixing Bowl, you’d be surprised how many people aren’t!

Party Cheese Ball Recipe - Cheese Ball with Cream Cheese (10)

Party Cheese Ball

4.30 from 57 votes

This cheese ball with cream cheese is a classic Party Cheese Ball recipe, made with simple ingredients. A must-make for any and all parties!

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Chilling: 2 hours hrs 40 minutes mins

Total Time: 10 minutes mins

Servings: 12

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Equipment

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces cream cheese , softened
  • 8 ounces cheddar cheese , shredded
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1 cup walnuts , chopped
  • 1 tablespoon parsley , chopped
  • Pretzel Sticks , for serving

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until light and fluffy.

  • Add shredded cheddar cheese, fine sea salt, ground white pepper, cayenne pepper and Worcestershire Sauce, blending well.

  • Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

  • Form into one large cheese ball or up to 40 small cheese balls.

  • Mix chopped walnuts and minced parsley in a shallow dish. Roll cheese ball(s) in mixture. If making bite size cheese balls, stick a pretzel stick in each. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

  • If you’ve tried this recipe, make sure to come back and let us now how it was!

Nutrition

Calories: 270 kcal, Carbohydrates: 3 g, Protein: 8 g, Fat: 25 g, Saturated Fat: 11 g, Cholesterol: 61 mg, Sodium: 446 mg, Potassium: 125 mg, Sugar: 1 g, Vitamin A: 740 IU, Vitamin C: 0.7 mg, Calcium: 184 mg, Iron: 0.6 mg

Author: Jessica Formicola

Calories: 270

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cheese ball with cream cheese, party cheese ball

Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!

If you want to save the single cheese balls, here is the pin!

Party Cheese Ball Recipe - Cheese Ball with Cream Cheese (12)
Party Cheese Ball Recipe - Cheese Ball with Cream Cheese (2024)

FAQs

How long does a cheese ball need to chill? ›

Cover the cheeseball in cling wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour to allow it to firm up. Take it out of the refrigerator about 20 minutes before serving to allow it to soften just slightly. Serve with crackers, pretzels, vegetables or anything else you'd love to dip in cheese!

Why is my cheese ball too soft? ›

Remove cheese ball from the fridge 30 minutes before serving so the cheese has time to soften and become more spreadable. Why is my cheese ball too soft? A cheese ball can be too soft if reduced fat or nonfat cream cheese is used. Stick to regular, full fat block-style cream cheese.

What cheese are cheese balls made of? ›

Cheese balls are traditionally made with two kinds of cheese – cream cheese (or another soft cheese like quark cheese, mascarpone or ricotta) and a grated semi-soft or semi-firm cheese like cheddar, colby cheese, monterey jack cheese, or muenster.

How long will a homemade cheese ball last in the refrigerator? ›

Storing in Fridge: If you start with fresh ingredients, you can store the cheese ball in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Cover any leftovers with plastic wrap and store in an airtight container. How to Freeze: I prefer a freshly made cheese ball, BUT you can freeze cheese balls.

How do you firm up a cheeseball? ›

It will firm up in the refrigerator. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, until the cheese ball is firm enough to handle. Combine the chopped pecans and parsley on a plate. Unwrap the cheese ball and roll it in the nut mixture until evenly coated.

Why is my cheese ball so hard? ›

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.

How do you thicken a cheese ball? ›

Your cheese ball is too runny: Once you have added all the extras, and it's all mixed in well, if the texture is more salad dressing-like than something you might spread on a bagel, you can tighten it up easily by adding unsalted butter, one tablespoon at a time, mixing before you add more.

How do you make cheese not rubbery? ›

Remove from Heat

Watch the cheese sauce closely as it melts. Once it looks and feels smooth and has been evenly melted, give it a final stir, and then remove the pan from the heat. If you melt the cheese any longer than is necessary, it can result in a rubbery consistency and negatively impact the flavor.

What are the best crackers for cheese ball? ›

What to Serve with Cheese Ball. That's an important question and I obviously have a strong opinion. Here are some options: Crackers – Ritz Crackers, Wheat Thins, Multi-Grain, Milton's.

How long is a cream cheese ball good for? ›

As long as the ingredients you used are newly purchased, a cheeseball should last up to 2 weeks when stored in the refrigerator.

Why are cheese balls addicting? ›

Cheese contains casomorphins , a group of opiods that traverse the blood-brain barrier where they produce a mild feeling of pleasure by binding to dopamine receptors in the brain. Craving of this sensation is a definitional element of addiction.

How long can a cheese ball sit at room temperature? ›

The U.S. Department of Health doesn't recommend keeping any perishable food sitting out of the fridge for more than two hours — and that's certainly the case for soft cheeses, like cottage or cream cheese, brie, or fresh mozzarella.

Does cheese need to be chilled? ›

Soft cheeses such as cream cheese, cottage cheese, shredded cheeses, and goat cheese must be refrigerated for safety. As a general rule, hard cheeses such as cheddar, processed cheeses (American), and both block and grated Parmesan do not require refrigeration for safety, but they will last longer if kept refrigerated.

How do you refrigerate cheese balls? ›

Wrapping and storing a cheese ball in the fridge will help hold its shape, prevent it from crumbling, and keep the cheese from drying out. Furthermore, wrapping the cheese ball in aluminum foil will provide additional support and stop the cheese from absorbing odors from other foods in the fridge.

How long should you let cheese come to room temperature? ›

Leave cheese for at least 1 hour

Ripe and runny bries for example would appreciate a longer warm-up: even as long as two hours, whilst harder cheddars benefit from an hour out of the fridge. The exception to this rule is fresh cheeses where 30 minutes should be sufficient.

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