By Becky Hardin
Updated Apr 24, 2025
A good Cheese Ball Recipe is a necessity at any holiday party. The mix of cheddar, Mexican blend, and cream cheese formed into a classic cheese ball, with a layer of toasted almonds on the outside, is just too delicious. Everyone loves digging into these at parties, so make sure you have plenty of crackers to go along with this awesome appetizer.
5-Star Review
“This recipe is a keeper. I have made this three years in a row now not just for Christmas, but for get togethers as well.” -Lindsey
This cheese ball recipe utilizes a blend of cheeses to create a soft, cheesy, flavorful mix. After forming the cheese into a ball, roll in the toasted almonds or pecans for that beautifully crunchy outside layer.
There are so many ways you can get creative with your cheese ball. Use your favorite blend of cheeses to get the flavor just how you like it. Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Swiss, gouda, or even blue cheese and feta all work well. Try adding a bit of your favorite seasoning blend, like Italian or everything bagel ! You can even add dried cranberries or bits of bacon to the outside layer if you want to get creative. Serve one of these and you will have a bunch of happy guests!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ ½ cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
- ▢ ½ cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- ▢ 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature (1 brick)
- ▢ 1 tablespoon mayonnaise store-bought or homemade
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ▢ ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ▢ ½ teaspoon dried chives or ¼ cup minced fresh chives
- ▢ ½ cup salted and roasted sliced almonds or chopped pecans
Video
Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients except for the nuts in a food processor or with a stand mixer until smooth. ½ cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese, ½ cup shredded Mexican cheese blend, 8 ounces cream cheese, 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon dried chives
- Wrap in plastic wrap and form into a ball.
- Refrigerate the cheese ball at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours.
- Roll in the toasted nuts. ½ cup salted and roasted sliced almonds
- Serve at room temperature and enjoy.
Equipment
- Stand Mixer OR
- Food Processor
Becky’s Tips
- Don’t skip the crunchy coating; it provides a great contrast to the creamy spread.
- Try shaping your cheese ball into a football, a pumpkin, a Christmas tree, or a log!
- Don’t let the cheese ball sit out for more than 2 hours. Place it over a bowl of ice to extend its time outside of the fridge.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make a Cheese Ball Step by Step
Combine all the cheese mixture ingredients: Mix ½ cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese, ½ cup shredded Mexican cheese blend, 8 ounces cream cheese, 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, and ½ teaspoon dried chives in a food processor or with a stand mixer until smooth.
Wrap the cheese ball: Wrap in plastic wrap and form into a ball.
Refrigerate: Place the cheese ball in the fridge for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours to firm up.
Roll in nuts: Roll 1/2 cup salted and roasted almond slices.
Serve and enjoy: Serve with sturdy crackers that aren’t too flavorful, like water crackers, butter crackers, or pita chips.
How to Store
You can store your cheese ball in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Just wrap it in plastic wrap. If you want to freeze it, wrap it in plastic wrap, then a layer of aluminum foil, then store inside two Ziplock bags. You can freeze it for up to 4 months, so you can save it for a future party. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
Serving Suggestions
A cheese ball is such an easy thing to make, and it’s absolutely delicious! Serve it on a cheeseboard, next to Boursin and pimento cheese , along with homemade tortilla tortilla chips , pretzels, or vegetables, and everyone will devour it in a flash. It’s the most classic holiday appetizer!
more cheese ball recipes we love
Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
Sweet Potato Chorizo Sausage Cheese Balls
Everything Bagel Cheese Ball
Mini Cheese Ball Bites
Cheese Ball Recipe
Equipment
- Stand Mixer OR
- Food Processor
Ingredients
- ½ cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature (1 brick)
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise store-bought or homemade
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried chives or ¼ cup minced fresh chives
- ½ cup salted and roasted sliced almonds or chopped pecans
Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients except for the nuts in a food processor or with a stand mixer until smooth. ½ cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese, ½ cup shredded Mexican cheese blend, 8 ounces cream cheese, 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon dried chives
- Wrap in plastic wrap and form into a ball.
- Refrigerate the cheese ball at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours.
- Roll in the toasted nuts. ½ cup salted and roasted sliced almonds
- Serve at room temperature and enjoy.
Video
Notes
- Don’t skip the crunchy coating; it provides a great contrast to the creamy spread.
- Try shaping your cheese ball into a football, a pumpkin, a Christmas tree, or a log!
- Don’t let the cheese ball sit out for more than 2 hours. Place it over a bowl of ice to extend its time outside of the fridge.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
