This homemade cheese ball is a classic flavor everyone loves. It’s creamy, cheesy, and perfectly seasoned. It will be the favorite appetizer at any party you take it to, served with crackers, pretzels and fresh veggies!
This classic cheese ball is everything you want in a party appetizer. I’ve made so many cheese balls over the years, and this one always disappears fast! I have to make it every year for Thanksgiving or my family will revolt 😉
This one is so easy to make, it’s the perfect appetizer for the holidays. It’s rich, creamy, and full of flavor. It has the best balance of tangy cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese and savory seasonings. It’s going to be your go to recipe for holiday parties too!
It’s a great option to serve up before Thanksgiving dinner when you’re doing the final prep of the turkey and all the sides. Perfect for a Christmas party, or a great New Year’s Eve appetizer!
This classic cheese ball is so easy to make with just a few ingredients, and it really comes together in just a few minutes.
Why This Recipes is the Best:
- Quick and Easy: You can mix everything in one bowl with a spoon, or a mixer. You just need a few ingredients and it can be made in minutes.
- Perfect Make Ahead Appetizer: It tastes even better after chilling in the fridge, and can stay good in the fridge for several days. I recommend rolling it in the nuts a few hours before serving to keep them from getting too soft.
- Amazing Flavor: This classic cheese ball has the best flavors, its creamy, flavorful, and pairs well with any crackers or dippers.
- Customizable: You can also swap the seasonings, cheese, or spices to make this cheeseball with your own favorite flavors. Or try our Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball!
Ingredients Needed
This is a quick overview of some of the ingredients you’ll need for this Homemade Cheese Ball Recipe. Specific measurements and full recipe instructions are in the printable recipe card below.
- Cream Cheese: I recommend a block of full fat cream cheese for the best flavor
- Cheddar Cheese: Shred a block of cheddar cheese so you don’t have any of the extra additives, and have the best flavor.
- Fresh Chives: Adds fresh flavor and colo
- Worchestershire Sauce: Gives a little extra tang to the flavor
- Garlic Powder + Onion Powder: Rounds out the flavor
- Salt: Brings out all the flavors
- Nuts: You can also use slivered almonds, chopped pecans, or chopped walnuts for a nice crunch!
How to make this Classic Cheese Ball
Step 1: Mix the Filling. Add the cream cheese to a large bowl and mix it with a stand mixer, or hand mixer until smooth. Add in the shredded cheese, diced chives, worchestershire, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and salt. Mix it all together until the seasonings are mixed throughout.
Step 2: Scoop into a Ball. Transfer the cheese mixture into a pile on some plastic wrap. Wrap it up and squish the cheeseball together forming it into a ball.
Step 3: Add the Nuts. Spread the nuts out on a shallow plate, unwrap the cheese ball and roll it into the nuts until its fully covered. Use your hands to stick some on any of cheese ball spots that are empty. Rewrap in a clean piece of plastic wrap and chill.
Step 4: Serve. Unwrap the cheese ball and serve it up on a plate with some crackers, pretzels, and veggies. Let it sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes to soften.
Tips and Tricks:
- Room Temperature Cream Cheese: Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before mixing, to make sure it mixes smoothly and evenly with all the rest of the ingredients.
- Try Different Coatings: Instead of chopped nuts, try pretzels, bacon bits, or even skip the coating.
- Chill for the Best Flavor: After shaping the cheeseball, let it sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or even overnight, for the best flavor and texture!
Storage Instructions
This cheeseball can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days. It tastes just as good on day 5 as it does the first day, so its a great option for making ahead of time for an event.
To make it ahead of time prepare as directed, but don’t roll it in the nut coating until about 1 hour before serving. The nuts will soften if they’re wrapped around the cheese longer, so for the best crunchy exterior add them right before serving if you’re not serving it within a day.
What to serve with a cheese ball?
I love serving cheese balls with a variety of crackers and vegetables. Some of my favorite things to serve with a cheese ball are:
- Ritz Crackers
- Wheat Thins
- Club Crackers
- Pretzels
- Crostini
- Pita Chips
- Tortilla Chips
- Multi Grain Crackers
- Sliced Celery
- Sliced Carrots
This cheese ball only takes a few minutes to make, and it might be gone just as fast once you start eating it. Everyone loves these and will dive right in, so make sure you have lots of crackers and other dip in options to serve with it.
Serve this amazing cheese ball at your next event and every one at your party will be happy!
Looking for more Party Appetizers?
Classic Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup shredded cheese
- 2 TBS fresh diced chives
- 1 tsp Worchestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
- 1/4 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Equipment
- Large Mixing Bowl
Instructions
- Beat your cream cheese in a large mixing bowl till smooth.
- Add in your cheddar, chives, Worchestershire, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, oregano and salt. Stir together till totally mixed.
- Scoop the cheese mixture into a plastic wrap. Cover it completely and roll it around to form it into a ball.
- Pour the diced pecans onto a plate.
- Unwrap the cheese ball and roll it around completely to cover the cheese ball with the pecans all over. Use your fingers to stick more on if there are any empty spots.
- Wrap in a clean piece of plastic wrap and place in the fridge till ready to serve.
Video
Notes
This classic cheese ball was first posted on November 11, 2019. The photos and blog text were updated for clarity on December 10, 2025.
Sarah says
This was a delicious and easy recipe! I used green onions instead of chives like another commented. We like to eat it with wheat thins. As a happy accident, I ate a bite with pomegranate and it was TASTY! I will definitely be making this again.
Sandy Kelsoe says
Delicious! I made this for a Thanksgiving snack and everyone loved it! Super quick and easy. I made it the day before and added the pecans the next day. It was a huge hit. Thanks Aimee!
Aimee says
So glad you loved it! It is one of my favorite pre Thanksgiving foods too 😉
Jane says
People actually brought leftover dip home with them!!! (I made a triple recipe for a Shower) It was THAT good!!! Lots of requests for the recipe and I had to make another one for tomorrow… Winner, winner…
Aimee says
That’s amazing to hear Jane! Now I’m craving one 🙂
Susan says
Oh, yes! This IS the perfect cheese ball! Basic and delicious with garlic butter flavored crackers. I like to put 1/4C finely chopped nuts in the cheese ball as well as covering the outside with nuts. This makes one very nice cheese ball!
Aimee says
That sounds delicious! Thanks for letting me know!
Kate Riggle says
This is just like the one I grew up with! Thank you so darn much!! This was perfect.
Aimee says
Yay! I’m so glad you liked it!
Larine Kwolek says
I served this at Thanksgiving. Big hit, nothing left! Only change i made was i used the green parts of green onions instead of chives because that was what i had available.
Aimee says
I’m so glad you liked it! I made it for thanksgiving last year 😘