This Cheese Ball Recipe is my go-to choice for entertaining and serving throughout the holiday season! Cheese Balls are very simple to make and only require five ingredients.
author’s note
This Cheese Ball Recipe = Instant Crowd Favorite!
Somehow, I’ve shared two dessert cheese ball recipes on my site but never a savory one. This version might just be my favorite of them all.
My Brownie Batter Cheeseball and Pumpkin Spice Cheeseball have become two of the most popular recipes for entertaining, so it only felt right to add a savory cheese ball to the mix.
This one couldn’t be easier to make. It calls for just five simple ingredients, all easy to grab at the store. Once you mix everything together, you’ll be amazed at how quick and effortless it comes together.
What You’ll Need:
| Ingredient | Pro Tip / Swap |
|---|---|
| Cream Cheese | Use full-fat cream cheese for the best texture in this cheese ball recipe. Let it soften completely or cube it first to speed up the process. |
| Ranch Seasoning | Use a store-bought packet or make your own with dried parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and dill. |
| Sharp Cheddar (freshly shredded) | Avoid pre-shredded cheese. Freshly shredded tastes and mixes better. |
| Bacon (crumbled) | Use pre-cooked bacon or bake in the oven for convenience. |
| Pecans (for coating) | Toast before chopping for more flavor. You can also use walnuts, pistachios, or seeds. |
How To Make This Cheese Ball Recipe
- Soften Cream Cheese: Let it sit out until smooth and easy to mix.
- Mix Ingredients: Combine cream cheese, ranch seasoning, cheddar, bacon, and chives.
- Shape: Scoop onto plastic wrap and form into a ball.
- Chill: Refrigerate until firm, about 1–3 hours.
- Coat & Serve: Roll in chopped pecans and serve with crackers.
Quick Tip
This cheese ball is quick to make but needs a little planning. Let the cream cheese soften fully and chill the ball before adding pecans for the best texture.
Storage
- Refrigeration: Store leftover cheese ball recipe tightly covered in the fridge to keep it fresh.
- Freezing: You can freeze it, but texture may change. Wrap well, use within a month, and thaw in the fridge before serving.
Serve The Cheese Ball With:
Cheese Ball Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese brick-style
- 1 (1-ounce) package ranch seasoning mix
- 2-1/2 cups freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup finely diced bacon
- 1/3 cup diced fresh chives optional
- 2/3 cup finely chopped pecans see note 1
Instructions
- About an hour before you start, set out the cream cheese to reach room temperature. This softening is important to avoid unpleasant chunks in the cheese ball. To speed up the process, cut the cream cheese into small cubes and spread them on a plate. Let it sit in a warm place for about 15–20 minutes.
- In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese and ranch seasoning mix until smooth. Add the shredded cheese and finely diced bacon; beat until just combined. Add in optional chives.
- Using a silicone spatula, scoop the mixture onto plastic wrap and form it into a ball. Tightly wrap and place in the fridge for 1–3 hours or until firm.
- Finely dice the pecans and place on a large tray with sides (see note 1). Remove the ball from the fridge and from the plastic wrap and roll in the chopped pecans. Gently press the pecans into the side as needed.
- Place the Cheese Ball on a large plate and serve it with your favorite crackers. Be sure to include a table knife, as crackers can break when pressed into the cheese ball.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
The bacon is cooked first crispy right?
Correct! 🙂
My family absolutely LOVES this cheese ball! The recipe is super easy and goes a LONG way! Thank You Chelsea!!!
Yay! Thanks Alicia! 🙂