Cheese Ball Recipe

I make bold claims here about this easy cheese ball recipe, like…

The BEST Cheese ball You’ll EVER Snack On!

Really? The best?!

All the taste-testers say yes!

Y’all know by now that I deliver – no hyperbole – well, not much.

Fine. Some.

But, ya gotta know the excitement is totally my truth, y’all!

If I say it’s the best whatevers, you know it’s gonna rock your world.

ROCK IT!

Get ready to lay yer eyeballz on the best cheese ball you’ll ever snack on (this one is a variation of the main recipe).

POW!

Oh, momma – me wanty NOW!

Actually, there is still one of the cheese balls in my fridge as I write.

Easy Recipe Cheese Ball

The saddy sad/funny thing is this (there’s always a thing, right?): as I was experimenting with a new flavor for a cheese ball, I came down with a raging cold.

Typically, I have a list of folks that I share the deliciousness with once I’ve made a new recipe (this recipe makes two bigggg-ish cheese balls…I felt the need to share).

I had told my SIL (pre-sickness) that I was making them and that she could come get hers the next day.

Talk about a happy gal.

Then – BAMMO! – the sickness hit and she thought better of entering the den of Cootieville, which of course left us with two cheese balls to devour.

Boo-hoo, right?

WRONG!

You can never make too many cheese balls!

CHEESE BALLS

They are so addictive, we ate the first one licketty split and are now making our way through the second.

It’s the Wild Wild West over here, baby!

If you follow my Instagram (um, you do follow right?!), you saw the teaser I offered when just starting to think about the flavor combo:

Is This A Holiday Cheese Ball?

I know lots of folks only make cheese balls for the holidays or big parties/gatherings like the Super Bowl.

I say that you’re gonna love this one so much, you’ll feel like it needs to be a new staple.

Add my Spicy Pretzels to the mix and, man – that’s livin’!

To the fun!

How Long Does A Cheeseball Stay Good In Fridge?

We have never had one last more than a few day (they’re that good), but the prevailing thought is about two weeks.

Personally, once you’re past a week, you’re pushing it, especially if there is a meat product involved.

How Long Can A Cheese Ball Sit Out?

FDA says about two hours. We have had ours on a holiday table for about four hours with no ill-effects.

Use common sense, you daredevil, you!

How Long Can You Keep A Cheese Ball?

I find this an interesting question because we have never had one last more than a few day – a week max. But, according to a quick Google search, a cheese ball can be good in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Can You Freeze A Cheese Ball?

Indeed you can. This is a great time-saver through the holidays or any party planning.

Simply wrap the cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap and freeze up to one month.

I would freeze before rolling in nuts, and then once thawed, roll away!

What Are Cheeseballs Made Of?

Cream Cheese, shredded cheese, spices, and anything else you think will make a great flavor combo.

Dried Beef Cheese Ball

~Oh, Mrs Tucker uses affilaite links at no cost to you!~

Speaking of ingredients, dried beef, which is as simple as finely chopped jerky, or the dried beef from a can like (link ahead!)  Hormel dried beef – sounds waaaay worse than it is!

So, is a cheeseball with dried beef on my list? Not so much, but the point to adding it here is that you may like that choice.

Vive la difference!

Can You Make A Cheese Ball The Day Before?

A million times yes!

I’m all about easing the big cook day’s activities, and will make it ahead.

The bonus to making it one day early is that it gives the flavors time to marry.

What Find Of Crackers Are Good For Cheeseballs?

Sturdy ones!

Folks will see a cheeseball, grab a cracker and use it as a knife…even if there is a knife available.

Go sturdy or prepare for a murderous cracker mess.

How To Make A Cheese Ball

What follows is my incredibly adaptable cheese ball recipe (main recipe at bottom of post).

I started with my absolute new favorite sausage patties (NOT sponsored): Goolsby’s.

Side Note: Lawsy, people of the Internet, if you haven’t had a Goolsby’s sausage, I weep for you.

As a Southern gal, I know breakfast sausage – Goolsby’s is the realest of deals.

Their packaging looks like this (love me a splatter guard!):

The thang I love best about Goolsby’s (you know – other than the amazing taste), is that the patties stay frozen until you’re ready to use them.

Pull them out of the box (yep, frozen), place them in a hot cast iron pan (that’s how I roll) and cook those badboys till done.

Cool completely, then crumble.

Sausage Cheese Balls?

Yes.

Hang with me. You won’t be disappointed.

While the sausage is cooling, put the rest of the ingredients in a bowl.

Here’s a shot of the purple onion, crumbled sausage and cream cheese, ready to be mixed (seasonings are in there too).

Add all the other ingredients, mix mix mix, then either roll the completed cheese ball in extra cheese, or smoked paprika, or both.

~ A gentle reminder: OMT! uses Amazon referral links at no cost to you.~

NOTE: If you have never used smoked paprika, you’re in for a treat. The flavor it imparts to whatever you add it to is sublime.

Once you start using it, you’ll find you’ll never buy the regular stuff again.

I didn’t use a ton off smoke paprika on the outside (I used the cheese on the inside) – just a dusting.

You’ll do whatever your taste buds demand!

Amazing Cheese Ball Ahead

One last note.

I have included a cup of Parmesan cheese in the recipe.

Classic Cheese Ball Recipe

Basically a classic cheese ball recipe is cream cheese, cheese, and spices.

I don’t know that you could say this is a classic cheese ball recipe because of the sausage and smattering of freshly grated parmesan cheese.

The flavor of the cheese is delicate, yet melds with the power couple of sausage and purple onion like it’s on a mission of world peace.

Hold hands, y’all. Let’s get this love thang right.

Oh, Parmesan!

As always, when making spectacular cheese balls, it’s best to let the flavors marry (♫ we’re going to chapel and we’re gonna get maaaaaarried ♫) overnite.

Sure, you could eat it right after you make it.

Ain’t nothing wrong with that.

But – if you wait a bit (overnight), the flavors go beyond singular tastes and become one entity.

Just like folks do when they marry.

I DO!

Appetizers With Cream Cheese

You can make a cream cheese dips.

Or any of these 50 incredible cream cheese appetizers!

Or make a cheese ball! Or mini cheese balls!

So many choices! So little time!

Enough jibber-jabber.

Get to making!

Happy party/holiday/new staple-ing, y’all!

Best Cheese Ball Recipe 

(printable recipe further down post)

Ingredients For Cheese Ball:

• 3 pkgs 8 oz. softened cream cheese
• 16 ounces browned and crumbled breakfast sausage patties (I use Goolsby’s)
• 1 cup shredded cheese, cheddar or mozzarella – OPTIONAL
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese – OPTIONAL
• 1/2 finely diced purple onion
• 3 jalapeños, seeded and chopped (chopped w/seeds for fiery version) OPTIONAL
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. smoked paprika

Instructions For Cheese Ball:

1. Cook sausage patties thoroughly.
2. Cool and crumble.
3. In a large bowl, thoroughly stir together cream cheese and spices.
4. Mix in cooled crumbled sausage, diced onions, jalapenos and cheese.
5. Form into two balls.
6. Sprinkle with smoked paprika – OR – Parmesan cheese. (Or both, you wild child!)
7. Cover in an airtight container and refrigerate overnight..
8. Serve with Omt!’s Spicy Pretzels (or crackers/veggies – whatevs)

Notes:

• Instead of adding the shredded cheese to the mixture, you can roll the ball in it to finish.
• Mix all ingredients (except paprika), then roll in smoked paprika.
• To obtain the height of deliciousness, let the cheese balls sit overnight so the flavors can marry.
• If making with kids, divide the cream cheese into four portions, each with different ingredients to their liking.
• You can use more sausage, cause, you know, MORE SAUSAGE!

Cheese Ball With Nuts

Another variation for a basic cheese ball is to substitute the sausage for chopped ham, add onion powder and garlic powder to taste (about 1-2 tsp each), then roll in chopped nuts (our fav is pecans).

Pro Tip For Cheese Ball With Nuts:

If you go the chopped nuts route, toast them before chopping (place in a low oven 250°-300° for 5-10 minutes, checking after 5 minutes, so as not to burn) and the flavors will POP!

Cheddar Cheese Ball Recipe

Lots of folks like to keep their recipes very simple, so if you’d rather have a cheese ball made with just one cheese, say cheddar, do this:

Substitute all the cheese in the recipe with the cheddar cheese of your choice.

Then you have a classic cheese ball!

Easy Peasy!

Cheese Ball Recipes

(cheddar cheese ball or not):

There are probably as many variations on the classic cheese ball as there are recipe blogs!

This one is incredibly adaptable.

Simply start with the cream cheese, add a protein (or not!), the cheese of your picking, and spices and you’re ready to serve.

Also of note: the cheeseball shape? No need to have them perfectly round. Or square. Or hexagonal (weirdo).

No one with a cracker cares about the shape – they care about the yum!

Happy snacking, y’all!

Continue to Content

The Best Cheese Ball You'll Ever Snack On

Yield: 2 cheese balls

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Additional Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

The best cheese ball recipe for your snacking needs. Easy. Delicious. Addicting.

Print

Ingredients

• 3 pkgs 8 oz. softened cream cheese
• 16 ounces browned and crumbled breakfast sausage patties (I use Goolsby's)
• 1 cup shredded cheese, cheddar or mozzarella - OPTIONAL
• 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese - OPTIONAL
• 1/2 finely diced purple onion
• 3 jalapenos, seeded and chopped (chopped w/seeds for fiery version) OPTIONAL
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. smoked paprika

Instructions

1. Cook sausage patties thoroughly.
2. Cool and crumble.
3. In a large bowl, thoroughly stir together cream cheese and spices.
4. Mix in cooled crumbled sausage, diced onions, jalapenos and cheese.
5. Form into two balls.
6. Sprinkle with smoked paprika - OR - Parmesan cheese. (Or both, you wild child!)
7. Cover in an airtight container and refrigerate overnight..
8. Serve with Omt!'s Spicy Pretzels (or crackers/veggies - whatevs)

Notes

OPTIONAL IDEAS:

* Instead of adding the shredded cheese to the mixture, you can roll the ball in it to finish.

* Mix all ingredients (except paprika), then roll in smoked paprika.

* To obtain the height of deliciousness, let the cheese balls sit overnight so the flavors can marry.

* If making with kids, divide the cream cheese into four portions, each with different ingredients to their liking.

* You can use more sausage, cause, you know, MORE SAUSAGE!

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Supreme Housewares Cheese and Butter Spreader Knives Wine Cork Decor 4-Piece Hand Painted Resin Handle with Stainless Steel Blade Multipurpose Cheese Spreader set (Vintage Wine Cork)
• 
  Mud Pie, White, 1 x 9 dia | spreader 5 1/2" Circa Cheese Ball Dish Set
• 
  Hormel Beef Dried Sliced, 2.5 oz
• 
  Classic Cuisine 82-KIT1046 Splatter Screen Guards, Small, Medium and Large, Stainless Steel
• 
  McCormick Gourmet SMOKED PAPRIKA 8.5oz (2 Pack)

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 30 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 160Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 270mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 6g

Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.

Original Post: January 21, 2019 ~ Updated Post November 13, 2024

Rest yer weary fingers.

Except to click on the image.

You still have enough strength for that.

COME ON!

YOU CAN DO IT!

If you enjoyed the easy cheese ball recipes, you might wanna try more!

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Put this pear butter out on the appetizer table too!

The Best Sour Cream Zucchini Bread Done Right

Slather pear butter over this bread and prepare to sing ♫ Halleluiah! ♫

Manhattan Cheesecake is the Last Cheesecake Recipe You’ll Ever Need

So much braggin’! But it’s true. I baked so many cheesecakes until I found the best. This one is it. Put it out as your finale!

All of these recipes will be the hit of the table!

Thank you for coming. I hope you try my cheese ball recipe and LOVE it.

If you do, come back and let me know!

Happy snacking, y’all!

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