Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Savory Cheese Ball

Posted by Cassie / 32 comments » / Appetizers, Dips, Snacks

Savory Cheese Ball

You guys.  Do you know how easy a cheese ball is to make?  Do you also know how many different ways you can make them?  Truthfully, I didn’t even know whether to say “cheeseball” or “cheese ball” until I asked Facebook.  Cleared that dilemma right up.  The next dilemma was just what to put into the thing.

After looking at tons and tons of recipes, I decided that the only real common thread among any is one thing: cream cheese.  So I went to the fridge and the spice cabinet, started pulling out anything that sounded good – a block of mozzarella, some green onions, cayenne pepper, parsley, oregano – and just mixed ‘em up.

Yep, it’s that easy.  Chill it, roll it in pecans and then you have a crowd-pleasing savory snack.

cheese ball recipe I know some of you take issue with the word savory – but that really is the best word that I can come up with for this cheese ball – it’s perfectly salty with a great balance of flavor from the herbs.  And the chopped pecans on the outside are the perfect contrast the the creamy cheese!

The only thing that would maybe make this one better is bacon – my mom would insist on adding bacon.  So if you like it, add it on in and let me know what you think!

Savory Cheese Ball

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Savory Cheese Ball Recipe

Yield: 1 cheese ball; serves many

Prep Time: 10 min

Total Time: 1 hour (includes chill time)

A simple, savory cheese ball recipe with herbs, spices, mozzarella cheese and cream cheese. Perfect for your next party!

Ingredients:

8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
8 ounces mozarella cheese, shredded
3 green onions, chopped (whites & greens)
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. dried parsley
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. seasoned salt
1 cup pecans, chopped

Directions:

Mix the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, onions, cilantro, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper together until well-combined (I use my stand mixer.) Turn the mixture onto a large sheet of plastic wrap, cover, shape into a ball and refrigerate for 30 minutes to one hour.

Place the chopped pecans on a small plate, remove the cheese ball from the fridge and gently roll in the pecans, helping them to stick to the outside of the cheese ball.

Serve with crackers.

Cassie's Notes:
Feel free to play with the herbs and spices in this recipe to make it fit your tastes.

The cheese ball will keep for a couple of days stored in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge.

Savory Cheese Ball

Posted by Cassie on March 13, 2013
32 Comments »
 

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32 Responses to “Savory Cheese Ball”

  1. 1

    Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste — March 13, 2013 @ 7:20 am

    Forget the crackers – I would be biting straight into that cheesy goodness. And I love the added crunch from the walnuts. Hope you’re having a great week, Cassie!

  2. 2

    Anne @The Cooking Campaign — March 13, 2013 @ 7:29 am

    This looks amazing, and i think you’re right, I think Bacon would make them even more incredible!

  3. 3

    Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie — March 13, 2013 @ 7:35 am

    Cream cheese is the #1 reason I love cheese balls!

  4. 4

    Sommer@ASpicyPerspective.com — March 13, 2013 @ 7:39 am

    Whoa, March Madness here we come!

  5. 5

    Paula - bell'alimento — March 13, 2013 @ 7:41 am

    You can never go wrong with a cheese ball. Nope.

  6. 6

    Cookin Canuck — March 13, 2013 @ 7:45 am

    I adore cheese balls. Typically, I park myself right beside the cheese ball plate at any party.

  7. 7

    Ali | Gimme Some Oven — March 13, 2013 @ 7:52 am

    Cheese balls are AWESOME! I love improvising with whatever I have on hand for a party! :)

  8. 8

    Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats — March 13, 2013 @ 8:03 am

    I love cheeseballs! This one sounds incredible cassie!!

  9. 9

    Audra | The Baker Chick — March 13, 2013 @ 8:08 am

    Yay for cheese balls! So retro and so delicious- keeping this one book-marked for my next game night! :)

  10. 10

    Rachel @ Baked by Rachel — March 13, 2013 @ 8:55 am

    Yes for bacon ;) Bacon makes everything better. Such a great snack or party appetizer!

  11. 11

    Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain — March 13, 2013 @ 8:55 am

    Oh EM GEEEE! Dude, I’m a huge fan of the ol’ cheese ball! Bring.it.on.

  12. 12

    Meagan @ A Zesty Bite — March 13, 2013 @ 8:59 am

    I always forget how easy it is to make a cheese ball. I am digging what you put in this one.

  13. 13

    Miss @ Miss in the Kitchen — March 13, 2013 @ 9:04 am

    This is my favorite kind of cheese ball. If I show up to a party or family function without one, boy am I in trouble!

  14. 14

    Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet — March 13, 2013 @ 9:11 am

    I didn’t even like cheese balls till I was an adult. Now I think they are awesome!

  15. 15

    Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking — March 13, 2013 @ 9:13 am

    This looks so yummy, easy and perfect for parties! Love it Cassie!

  16. 16

    Tracey — March 13, 2013 @ 9:45 am

    I have recently fallen in love with cheese balls – so simple but so so good! And a definite yes to the bacon, that’s always a good decision :)

  17. 17

    Mimi — March 13, 2013 @ 11:12 am

    This is such a good appetizer idea–if you know, it actually stays untouched until guests arrive!

  18. 18

    Laura (Tutti Dolci) — March 13, 2013 @ 11:23 am

    This looks so delish, Cassie! Love the flavors!

  19. 19

    Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles — March 13, 2013 @ 11:23 am

    I have never made a cheese ball! And why?! I know we’d all love it. Yours sounds great – and looks beautiful – I love the pecans!

  20. 20

    Jackie @ Domestic Fits — March 13, 2013 @ 11:25 am

    You have delicious looking balls ;)

  21. 21

    Angie — March 13, 2013 @ 1:32 pm

    I love cheeseballs! If I don’t make one regularly, my husband will buy those yucky ones. I have to try this recipe net! Thanks!

  22. 22

    Jessica - The Novice Chef — March 13, 2013 @ 8:41 pm

    I just made a cheese ball and I am dying to make another one! So delicious and fun to get to add your own flavors! :)

  23. 23

    Julie @ Table for Two — March 13, 2013 @ 8:42 pm

    I have never attempted to make a cheeseball but after looking at yours, i totally want to make one with whatever i can find in my fridge! so easy and resourceful!

  24. 24

    Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious — March 14, 2013 @ 1:56 am

    Why have I never made a cheeseball before? Yeah, that’s changing this weekend. And then I’m going to eat the entire cheeseball by myself.

  25. 25

    Marly — March 14, 2013 @ 8:48 am

    I love this recipe – I think I might have to give it a vegan spin! Thanks so much for the inspiration!

  26. 26

    Heather | Farmgirl Gourmet — March 14, 2013 @ 12:18 pm

    I heart cheese balls. The end. LOVE!

  27. 27

    Liz — March 14, 2013 @ 2:03 pm

    Your ingredients call for Mozerella but in the directions you have cheddar. Which is it?

    • Cassie replied: — March 14th, 2013 @ 2:06 pm

      Thanks for catching that, Liz! I made this one with mozzarella…I had planned to use cheddar and then didn’t have any on hand but did have mozzarella. It would be wonderful either way though.

  28. 28

    Jenny @ BAKE — March 15, 2013 @ 9:35 am

    your cheese ball looks perfect! I tried to make one a couple of years ago but it was no where near as good as yours!

  29. 29

    Mercedes@Satisfy My Sweet Tooth — March 16, 2013 @ 9:55 am

    I love your “cheese ball vs. cheeseball” debate! That is so something that I would dwell on! I have never made a cheese ball but I remember my grandma making them and how much I loved them!

  30. 30

    Liz — March 16, 2013 @ 4:29 pm

    I think both Mozerella or cheddar would be fabulous. Going to try this tonight. Thank you!!

  31. 31

    Shaina — March 22, 2013 @ 7:48 pm

    This looks divine. I have only made my own cheese ball once for a Christmas party, but I suddenly have the urge to bring one to Easter.

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