Cheese Ball Recipe
Servings 16 servings (may vary)
Calories 207kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans toasted
- 2 8 oz blocks plain cream cheese
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- 1 tsp seasoned salt
- 1 1/2 tsp granulated garlic or garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 2 cups finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 medium green onions chopped
- 1/4 cup finely diced red bell pepper
- 3 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- crackers, baguette, pita chips or veggies for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the pecans on a sheet pan in a single layer. Toast for 6-8 minutes or just until fragrant. Remove from the oven and cool completely.
- In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat together the cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, seasoned salt, granulated garlic and onion powder until fully blended.
- Lower the speed of the mixer. Add the cheddar cheese, green onions and red bell pepper. Beat on low speed just until fully combined and the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Spread the pecans on a piece of plastic wrap and toss with the fresh parsley. Dollop the cream cheese mixture onto the pecan mixture and roll to coat. Wrap in a clean piece of plastic wrap and form into a ball.
- Chill for at least 4 hours or overnight, then serve with crackers.
Notes
- Protein: You could add crispy bacon, dried beef or finely diced ham to the cheese mixture.
- Cheese: You could use another flavor of cheese. Mild cheddar cheese, swiss cheese, mozzarella cheese or pepper jack cheese for spice.
- Peppers: If you want a more spicy flavor, swap out the red bell pepper with jalapeno pepper or poblano pepper.
- Seasonings: You can use Cajun seasoning, Old Bay seasoning or Italian seasoning to change the flavor profile.
- Herbs: You can use fresh herbs such as rosemary, fresh chives or thyme.
- Nuts: You could also roll the cheese ball in toasted walnuts, almonds or pine nuts.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 207kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 344mg | Potassium: 101mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 682IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 136mg | Iron: 0.4mg