This easy cheese ball recipe shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ShareWine #CollectiveBias The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older.
Whip up this easy cheese ball recipe in minutes, using cream cheese, cheddar, and pecans. You’ll also get my handy trick for packing up cheese balls to go!
Easy Cheese Ball Recipe
Yes, I’ll admit it. I love cheese balls.
There’s really no excuse not to love something that is so ineffably simple. This easy cheese ball recipe has just three ingredients and practically vanishes as soon as it hits the table.
Did I mention it has only three ingredients? Right. Cream cheese, cheddar, and pecans. Simplicity itself!
That’s what makes it so perfect for a party. And its compactness allows it to be easily wrapped and packed in a cooler for parties on the go.
Break it out at your next tailgating session and wait for the compliments to roll in. While you’re doing that, you can sip regally on a glass of wine that you’ve thoughtfully brought along, too.
Lucky for you, you don’t have to sacrifice quality on the altar of portability. Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Chardonnay & Cabernet Sauvignon are both available packed in handy stacks of four shatter-resistant, single-serving glasses of wine.
Here’s my stack of Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Chardonnay.
Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi has been around for 30 years, making it a trusted brand that’s ideal for sharing. Quality wine like this makes any occasion more fun, so take it on-the-go for all your outdoor gatherings. Think football tailgate parties, or any kind of sporting event!
This easy cheese ball recipe can be made ahead and packed alongside your wine in the cooler. I’ll show you an easy way to pack it up for travel.
How to Pack Up a Cheese Ball to Go
Once the cheese ball is complete, place it in the center of a large piece of plastic wrap.
Smooth the plastic wrap around the cheese ball and twist it firmly at the top.
Place the wrapped cheese ball in a food storage container that is close to the same size as the cheese ball. If the container is much larger than the cheese ball, pad it with paper towels to keep the cheese ball from rolling around.
Pack in a cooler, and you’re good to go! You can also serve it on a pretty slate cheese board for an elegant look.
Tips for Making A Cheese Ball
- Any recipe with just a few ingredients relies even more upon those ingredients being of high quality. Choose a good cream cheese, and for optimum flavor, pick a good block of cheddar cheese and shred it yourself.
- To make the outer layer of nuts extra savory, toast them very lightly. You can do this whether they’re already chopped or not. Just put them in a skillet on medium, stirring a couple of times, for a couple of minutes. When you smell the lovely scent of roasted nuts, they’re ready. Cool them completely before using on the cheese ball.
- Feel free to substitute different types of nuts and shredded cheese. Try walnuts or almonds, and try Monterey Jack or (my favorite, but harder to find) Double Gloucester.
- Cheese balls are rich, so serve with something palate-cleansing, like Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Chardonnay.
- Looking for more cheese spread options? Try this hatch chile pimento cheese!
Easy Cheese Ball Recipe with Just Three Ingredients!
Whip up this easy cheese ball recipe in minutes, using cream cheese, cheddar, and pecans. You'll also get my handy trick for packing up cheese balls to go!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- Plastic wrap
Instructions
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Place the cream cheese and shredded sharp cheddar cheese in a mixing bowl. Use a sturdy spoon to stir them together until combined.
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Use the back of the spoon to press the mixture together and roll it around the inside of the bowl until it forms a ball. You can use your hands if you need to.
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Lay out a piece of plastic wrap and put the chopped pecans in the center. Tip the ball onto the pecans and gently roll it over the pecans until thoroughly coated.
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Serve immediately, or cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for later.
Recipe Notes
Serves 6. Double to serve a larger crowd.
Follow Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi on Facebook, and visit EntertainAndPair for more ideas!
Danita
I’m all about easy! Planning our daughter’s wedding and this looks like a reception possibility.
Jeanette
That looks extremely good! When I first read the title I was thinking the cheeseballs that you get from Cheetos LOL! This looks a whole lot better than that LOL.
Kelly
I had no idea it was so easy to make a cheese ball! And just 3 ingredients – this is definitely going to be a staple at my house during football season! #client
Christopher Lewis
Amazing imagery and the Cheese Ball looks so good I just want to take it through my screen! I am looking forward to trying this recipe out for myself!
Sarah
I never realized how easy it can be to make a cheese ball and boy are they so good with crackers 😉 Thanks for this recipe idea, certainly going to give it a try!
Liz Mays
Oh yum! I think the guys would love this. It would be fun to make this cheese ball for a movie night or a party with friends.
Chrishelle
I love wine and cheese, such a great pairing. I need to make this cheese ball. I think it would be great for Taylor’s baby shower.
Anita Fonte
This is a simple dish that you can make at home for any event you have coming i.e. work party, birthday etc. The step by step are easy to follow and make.
Megan Elford
I haven’t made a cheese ball in such a long time, but now you’ve got me craving it! I love the simplicity of this recipe too, super easy!
Jeanine
This looks delicious! I don’t think I’ve ever made a cheese ball before, but this looks like it would be delicious. Would love to give it a try!
Bonnie @wemake7
I can’t believe I have never made or even tried a cheese ball before. This looks really good! I will have to give it a try.
Vera Sweeney
This cheese ball looks so good!!! I love to serve these with crackers at parties, they are always a hit!
Lisa
I had no idea that a cheese ball was so easy to make. I’m going to try this soon, I am a huge fan.
Bella
Oh this looks very yummy! I have never made my own cheese ball before but this one seems foolproof.
Rebecca Swenor
This cheese ball recipe is indeed super easy and would be great for any gathering. The Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Chardonnay sounds amazing as well and I will have to pick some of this up to go with the cheese ball. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Clara
Why did I almost dive into my computer screen trying to get at that cheese ball? It looks amazing!
Lynzy
Wooooow this looks amazing! I love fun appetizers/snacks like these! Such a fun recipe, definitely going to be trying this one for my next party this summer!
Ana
I do this but add chopped green onions, finely chopped shaved ham and a finely chopped Serrano pepper. Eliminate the seeds before you chop it for a little less fire. Mix all together. Yum!
Katie
Oh, I love the pepper idea! I might try that, or maybe a jalapeno.
Susan
This is how I’ve always made cheese balls .
The only exception is that I add 1 finely chopped green onion. It’s mild, not overpowering, and adds just a little more flavor without being too oniony! I’ve made this for my kids’ weddings, Christmas, birthdays, holidays, but great just on a Tuesday!!
I like it made into a log shape about 1 1/2” around which is easier to slice to fit a cracker. My son’s friend doesn’t like green onions, but he special requests this when he comes to visit!