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The Best Cheeseball
4.5 from 326 votes

The Best Cheeseball

This cheeseball recipe combines softened cream cheese with sharp shredded cheddar and a blend of seasonings including garlic powder, oregano, parsley, and black pepper. The mixture is formed into balls and coated evenly with finely chopped pecans. The final product offers a creamy, tangy texture with a crunchy pecan coating, making it a classic appetizer choice for gatherings and parties.

Prep Time
15 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 4 small cheeseballs (or 2 large)
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 4 packages packages (8-ounces each) cream cheese softened
  • 4 cups cheddar cheese shredded sharp
  • 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon oregano dried
  • 2 teaspoons parsley dried
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper I use coarsely ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce optional
  • 1 cup pecans finely chopped for rolling

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place finely chopped pecans in a shallow dish and set aside. In a large bowl (or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), mix the cream cheese until smooth. Add the cheddar cheese and mix until just combined. Lightly sprinkle all the seasonings and sauces over the cheese mixture and mix until thoroughly combined.
  2. With lightly greased hands, portion the cheese mixture into four pieces (or two, if you want larger cheeseballs) and roll each section into a round ball. Coat in pecans. One easy way to do this is to hold the cheeseball in one hand and scoop up the pecans and press them onto the cheeseball with the other, turning the cheeseball as you go and letting the excess pecans fall back into the dish (this also helps the pecans to go a little further).
  3. Cover each cheeseball in saran wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

  • Roll the cheeseballs in pecans using your hands to press nuts firmly onto the surface, minimizing waste and ensuring even coverage.
  • Substitute hot pepper sauce with sweet Thai chili sauce for a milder, sweeter flavor twist.
  • Chill cheeseballs well before serving to allow flavors to develop and to firm the texture.