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Best Cheese Ball

This cheese ball recipe is made with cream cheese and shredded Cheddar for a spreadable dip. Perfect to serve with crackers for a party appetizer. I also like to get ahead and freeze these cheese balls to give as festive gifts to family and friends.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course lunch/dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 12 people
Calories 2452.4 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Food Processor
  • 1 Spatula For scraping and handling mixture
  • 1 Shallow Bowl For coating
  • 1 Plate or Tray For chilling cheese balls
  • 1 Plastic Wrap and Aluminum Foil For storage or gifting

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 3 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce
  • ½ teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 pound shredded Cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans
  • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley

Instructions
 

  • Combine cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce, and garlic in a food processor; blend until well combined. Add Cheddar cheese and process until Cheddar is finely chopped but still very visible.
  • Remove mixture from the food processor and shape into 3 or 4 balls. Place in the freezer for 15 minutes.
  • Combine pecans and parsley in a shallow bowl. Remove chilled cheese balls from the freezer and roll in the pecan-parsley mixture until well coated.
  • Serve immediately, or rewrap nut-covered cheeseballs tightly with festive plastic wrap. Wrap again with aluminum foil, then freeze until ready to gift, up to 4 weeks. Terri McHugh

Notes

Ensure cream cheese is fully softened for a smooth, uniform blend. Avoid over-processing the Cheddar cheese; it should be finely chopped but still visible to maintain texture. For an elevated flavor profile, lightly toast the pecans before chopping to intensify their nutty aroma. Consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of finely minced chives to the cheese mixture for an extra layer of complexity. If gifting, double-wrapping is crucial to prevent freezer burn and preserve freshness. Serve with an assortment of crackers, apple slices, or crisp crudités for a balanced presentation.