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Cheese Ball Recipe

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!

cheeseball on plate with overlay of text

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).

cheese ball on plate with a smear on knife

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:

The Best Cheese Ball You'll Ever Snack On

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!

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 Best Cheese Ball You'll Ever Snack On

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).

The Best Cheese Ball You'll Ever Snack On

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

The Best Cheese Ball You'll Ever Snack On

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!

The Best Cheese Ball You'll Ever Snack On

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 jalapenos, 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!

The Last Cheese Ball Recipe You'll Ever Need

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!

More 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!

cheeseball on plate

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.

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!

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 21, 2023

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 cheese ball recipes, you might wanna try more!

The Best Pear Butter Recipe You’ll Ever Make

Put this pear butter out on the appetizer table too!

Jar of pear butter with a spoon

The Best Sour Cream Zucchini Bread Done Right

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

slices of Zucchini bread on a plate

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!

a closeup of a slice of cheesecake on a plate

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!

Share It!

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Kristina

Monday 28th of January 2019

Hi this is Kristina visiting from Pretty Pintastic. What a yummy idea! This looks incredible.

Patti Tucker

Tuesday 29th of January 2019

Thank you - It was delicious!

Donna @ Modern on Monticello

Monday 28th of January 2019

You definitely make it sound delicious! Pinned to try out. Thanks for sharing at HomeMattersParty

Patti Tucker

Monday 28th of January 2019

Make it!!!

Jackie

Tuesday 22nd of January 2019

The idea of using sausage is a new one to me. It sounds Delicious. I agree with Patti Tucker above it will make a perfect addition to Super Bowl SUnday celebration. May the best team win....Go Pats

Patti Tucker

Wednesday 23rd of January 2019

I thought it might be a fun addition to try! Perfect Super Bowl snack. (I have no dog in the hunt!)

Sherry

Tuesday 22nd of January 2019

Oh I definitely need to make this soon! I'm thinking this will make a great Superbowl snack!

Patti Tucker

Tuesday 22nd of January 2019

Yaaaaas! Would make a great Super Bowl snack!

Liliana

Monday 21st of January 2019

This looks amazing! I think can substitute the sausage for a vegetarian one, thank you for sharing!

Liliana

Patti Tucker

Tuesday 22nd of January 2019

This cheese ball is sooo customizable!

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