Simple Cheese Ball Recipe

This classic cream cheese ball recipe is not only easy but uses simple ingredients and is an easy party appetizer or snack craving!

Quick Overview – Ingredients include: cream cheese, sour cream, ranch dressing seasoning, sharp cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and pecans.

Around the holidays, or on game day, a homemade cheese ball is hard to beat because it’s an easy recipe and a crowd pleaser!

Fun Football Cheese Ball: If you’re making a cheese ball for anything football party-related, you’re going to love making this in to a shape like we did with this football cheeseball!

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• How to Make this Easy Cheese Ball
• Variations:
• What Type of Dish to Serve a Cheese Ball on:
• What to Serve with a Cheese Ball
• Storage
• More Easy Appetizer Recipes
• Simple Cheese Ball Recipe

Ingredients

Using only 8 simple ingredients, you can have the cheese ball made in minutes! Plus, you may already have the ingredients on hand, and those are always the best kind!

• 2- 8 oz packages cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 1 packet ranch dressing  mix (We love Hidden Valley brand)
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Make sure to see the full recipe card with instructions toward the bottom of this post to make this classic cheese ball!

How to Make this Easy Cheese Ball

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, you’re halfway to diving in to your easy cheese ball recipe!

1. Begin by placing the cream cheese and sour cream in the bowl of a stand mixer or large mixing bowl, so you can mix with a hand or electric mixer.
   Cream together until mixed together well.

2. Add the ranch dressing mix powder and spices. Mix again.

3. Add the cheddar cheese and mix until well incorporated, creating a creamy texture.

4. Lay a large piece of saran wrap on the counter and spoon the cream cheese mixture into the center of it, piling it into a pile in the center.
5. Grab up the edges of the plastic wrap to the middle, and using your hands, smooth the mixture into a ball shape.
6. Place the plastic wrap covered cheeseball in the freezer for 30 minutes to chill.

7. Pour the chopped pecans onto a single layer on a baking sheet or cutting board. Roll the chilled cheese ball in the pecans until it is completely, and evenly covered.
8. Transfer the cheese ball onto a plate (the plate that you want to serve it on is ideal) and cover with plastic wrap. Chill for at least 1 hour more in the refrigerator before serving. 
9. Serve this delicious cheese ball with your favorite crackers or your favorite items to dip! (See ideas of what to serve with a cheese ball, below!)

Variations:

Now although this is a really good cheese ball recipe, it’s a great “base” if you have other favorite ingredients that could be added to it. Here are some of our favorite variations and mix-in’s to add in sometimes!

• Green Onions – Chop the greens of one or two bunches of green onions (depending on how much you LOVE green onions) in to small pieces and either mix-in to the mixture of cream cheese and other ingredients before shaping.
  Or, instead of coating the ball in nuts, coat the outer coating of the cheeseball with chopped green onions instead. (You can do both, but mix together the green onions and nuts before rolling or neither will stick to the ball, if one is applied separately.)
• Different Cheeses – We think shredded cheddar is the best cheese for this but if you’re not a fan of shredded cheddar, feel free to use additional or a substitute cheese! For instance, shredded fiesta blend, mozzarella, white cheddar, sharp cheese, blue cheese, pepperjack, etc.
• Bacon – Using bacon bits, or cook some bacon (our favorite quick and easy way is by making air fryer bacon) and once cooled, chop it in to small pieces and add in to the cheeseball mixture or coat the outside of the ball with it for a bacon ranch cheese ball.
• Condiments – Sometimes it’s fun to add some spice or “zing” to the cheese ball. Some of our favorites are:
  • hot sauce
  • worcestershire sauce
• Spices/Herbs – Feel free to add your favorite spices and or herbs to this recipe as well. For instance:
  • onion powder
  • a little salt (you don’t want it too salty – the ranch seasoning also has salt)
  • cayenne pepper
  • red pepper
  • greek seasoning
  • fresh herbs (like rosemary, fresh parsley, chives, etc.)
• Different Shapes – Have fun with your cheeseball! If you’re making one for the holidays, sporting event, charcuterie board, etc., consider something like these:
  • Rudolph the Reindeer – To turn a plain cheese ball into Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, add pretzel ears, black olives for the eyes (olives cut in half), and add a cherry tomato (cut in half) for the nose, right before serving!
  • Football – Instead of making a perfect “ball” shape, consider shaping the ball by narrowing the ends, making it a football shape like I did for this football party!
  • Mini Cheese Ball Bites – Instead of making one big ball, consider making small bite-size cheese balls that would look amazing with a pretzel stick, sticking out the top for an easy fingerfood option, for your next holiday party.

What Type of Dish to Serve a Cheese Ball on:

You can serve your cheese ball on a regular plate. However if you’re serving Thanksgiving dinner, hosting any holiday parties or holiday gatherings like New Years Eve, Christmas party, etc. you may want to place the cheese ball on a gorgeous platter or in a marble dish!

What to Serve with a Cheese Ball

If you’re making a cheese ball, it’s mainly considered a “dip” so it’s best to also provide items for dipping! Here are some of our favorites to serve alongside a classic cheeseball.

• pita chips
• tortilla chips
• celery sticks
• carrot sticks
• other fresh veggies (radishes, cucumbers, etc.)
• buttery crackers (like Ritz)
• wheat thins
• corn chips
• slices of smoked sausage, etc.

Storage

If you have leftovers of this homemade cheeseball, store in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks! This is one of the reasons why it’s one of the best make-ahead appetizers.

More Easy Appetizer Recipes

If you love easy appetizers like this one, then you’ll also love this easy taco layer dip, buffalo bacon blue dip, and this creamy reuben sandwich dip!