I know get-togethers are about the people, but it’s also secretly about the food, and Grandma’s holiday cheeseball recipe is a popular Christmas appetizer in our family! When the appetizers come out I look for this first, and then of course the loaded deviled eggs.
The nice thing about this easy cheeseball recipe is that you can make it up in advance while you worry about everything else last minute. In fact it is best when you let it sit for at least an hour before, so it helps you get a jump start on the meal prep!
I actually like volunteering to bring a cheeseball to events. Not only is it an easy thing to bring that everyone will enjoy, it also ensures the best cheeseball recipe will be there. 😉 Can’t leave that to chance!
Recipe Ingredient Notes
To make this holiday cheeseball, you will need the following ingredients:
- Cream cheese
- Butter
- Chopped pimento
- Green pepper
- Minced onion
- Worcestershire sauce
- Lemon juice
- Chopped walnuts
Equipment Needed
For this recipe, you only need a few simple kitchen tools. We recommend using the following equipment:
How to Make Our Grandma’s Holiday Cheeseball
- Combine cream cheese and butter in a bowl; microwave for about 30 seconds to soften. Mix together until well combined.
- Add remaining ingredients and gently fold in.
- Place bowl in the fridge and let set up for about 30 minutes.
- Roll into a ball and roll ball in chopped walnuts.
- Serve with crackers or fresh vegetables.
Recipe Notes
Here are a few things to consider before making this classic cheeseball recipe:
- The ingredients are flexible. You can use green onions, garlic powder, sharp cheddar cheese, blue cheese, onion powder, bacon bits, white cheddar cheese, garlic salt, or other savory flavors.
- You can serve it with pita chips, Ritz crackers, buttery crackers, on a charcuterie board, with black olives, or with any other type of food you like.
- Store it in an airtight container to eat this perfect appetizer for days! There’s nothing better than a homemade cheeseball even after the holiday is over.
The Cleanest Way to Roll a Cheeseball
Rolling a cheeseball can be a dirty job! You can always shape the ball in your hands and it will work out, but you will come away fairly messy. Next time you make a cheeseball and are ready to shape the cheeseball, follow these steps:
- Pull out a piece of plastic wrap, lightly spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
- Scoop the cheese mixture onto the plastic wrap.
- Pick up the plastic wrap from underneath and begin forming the ball.
- Once you have the shape you want, place it in the bowl with the chopped walnuts.
- You are good to go!
Food Pairings
Well you’ve made the best cheeseball recipe, but now what do you serve with it?! We normally pair it with some of our favorite crackers and vegetables, but you can do so much more with a cheeseball. Kitchn has a great list of 7 foods to serve with a cheeseball that you might consider serving with yours!
Enjoy More Delicious Cheese Dips
Dips and salsas are the perfect way to start any meal. Browse our comprehensive list of dip recipes.
- Holiday Cheeseball Bites
- Pumpkin-Shaped Cheeseball
- 2-Ingredient Cheesy Queso Dip
- Chili’s Copycat Skillet Queso
- Queso Blanco Dip
Grandma’s Holiday Cheeseball Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces (2 Pkgs) cream cheese
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoon chopped pimento
- 1 Tablespoons minced green pepper
- 1 Tablespoon minced onion
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Combine cream cheese and butter in a bowl; microwave for about 30 seconds to soften. Mix together until well combined.
- Add remaining ingredients and gently fold in.
- Place bowl in the fridge and let set up for about 30 minutes.
- Roll into a ball and roll ball in chopped walnuts.
- Serve with crackers or fresh vegetables.
Notes
- The ingredients are flexible. You can use green onions, garlic powder, sharp cheddar cheese, blue cheese, onion powder, bacon bits, white cheddar cheese, garlic salt, or other savory flavors.
- You can serve it with pita chips, Ritz crackers, buttery crackers, on a charcuterie board, with black olives, or with any other type of food you like.
- Store it in an airtight container to eat this perfect appetizer for days! There’s nothing better than a homemade cheeseball even after the holiday is over.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.
It leaves the measurements off when I use the print option…. It works better for me if I copy and paste, but thanks for the recipe!
OMG, this looks so delicious! Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Pigs in a blanket cracker? Do you mean chicken in a biskit cracker? 😂😂😂
There are really pigs in a blanket cracker crisps. They are so tasty. But you can surely use Chicken in a Biskit crackers too.
I have a similar recipe. We add Roka Blue cheese by kraft in a small glass jar and no Worcestershire. My family loves it. May have to try this one too,
This is a delicious cheeseball with simple ingredients. I made it 2 days ahead and then coated in the walnuts day off. Will definitely make this again.
Question: Should there be grated cheese in this recipe? There is mentioned that you can use sharp grated cheddar or bleu cheese
The best part about cheeseballs is, the ingredients are flexible. You can use green onions, garlic powder, sharp cheddar cheese, blue cheese, onion powder, bacon bits, white cheddar cheese, garlic salt, or other savory flavors.