Cheese ball Recipe

Made with cheddar cheese, cream cheese, green onion, spices, and chopped pecans, this classic cheese ball recipe makes the perfect party appetizer. Serve the cheese ball as an appetizer for potlucks and around the holidays.

Equipment for Making Cheese Ball at Home

• Bowl

Ingredients:

• 16 oz Cream cheese (softened)
• 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese (freshly grated (avoid pre-shredded cheese))
• 2 Green onions (chopped)
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp Hot pepper sauce
• 1 tbsp Dried parsley flakes
• 1⁄2 tbsp Garlic powder
• 1⁄2 tbsp Dried oregano leaves
• Black pepper (dash freshly ground)
• 2⁄3 cup Pecans (finely chopped)

Instructions:

• Place cream cheese in a mixing bowl and mix until smooth. Add cheese, green onion, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, parsley, garlic powder, oregano, and pepper and mix well to combine. 
• Use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl and gather the mixture into one lump. Lightly grease your hands and form the mixture into a round ball. 
• Place the pecans on a plate. Hold the cheese ball in one hand and use the other hand to scoop the pecans onto the outside of the ball, pressing them in gently and turning the ball to coat all sides. 
• Cover the cheeseball in cling wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour to allow it to firm up. Remove it from the refrigerator 20 minutes before serving to allow it to soften slightly. Serve with crackers, pretzels, vegetables, or anything else you'd love to dip in cheese!

Note:

• Serve the cheeseball with a spreading knife. If you dip your cracker straight into the ball, chances are it will break!
• Make this, but don't coat it in nuts.  Store it in an airtight container or ziplock and place it in the refrigerator for up to a week (depending on the freshness of your ingredients).  An hour before you are ready to serve it, coat it in nuts and let it rest in the refrigerator until you serve.
• You can keep it fresh in the refrigerator for several days or a couple weeks, depending on the freshness of your ingredients. To estimate how long it will stay fresh, first notice the expiration date on the ingredients you are using. Assuming you are using recently purchased ingredients, your cheeseball should last about two weeks in the refrigerator!
• To freeze it, wrap it well in plastic wrap (without nuts) and place it in a freezer-safe ziplock bag.  Freeze for up to one month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and add nuts once completely thawed.