Easy Classic Cheese Ball Recipe
The BEST classic Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe. This homemade creamy Cheese Ball is so easy to make and will become a must-have appetizer for parties and around the Holidays.
We have a shortlist of favorite party appetizers like Spinach Artichoke Dip, healthy Shrimp Cucumber Bites, and Stuffed Mushrooms. This cheeseball is sure to become a new favorite. It comes together fast and is packed with flavor.
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Hey, hey! Valentina with Valentina’s Corner sharing our Cheese Ball Recipe.
Cheese Ball Recipe:
I love a good cheese ball at parties, and who doesn’t? Packed with bacon bits, nuts, shredded cheese and seasonings, this is the ULTIMATE appetizer recipe.
Not only is the cheese ball loaded with so much flavor, but it also takes just minutes to prepare and is so stunning when served.
How to Make a Cheese Ball:
Making a cheese ball is SO EASY! Once you make a homemade cheese ball, you’ll never purchase store-bought again. You just can’t beat a homemade cheeseball!
- In a mixing bowl, combine all of the cheese ingredients until well incorporated: cream cheese and sour cream, bacon bits, shredded cheese, green onion, walnuts, poppy seeds, and seasonings.
- Finely chop the cheese, walnuts, green onion for the coating (or you can leave it chunky if that’s your preference).
- Shape cheese ball and coat generously with the topping mixture and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Cooks TIP: For easier mixing, first, beat the cream cheese and sour cream with a mixer, then stir in remaining ingredients with a spatula or wooden spoon until well incorporated.
TIPS for the BEST Cheese Ball!
Though there’s not much that can go wrong when making a cheese ball, here are some added tips we found helpful:
- If you don’t have Ranch seasoning, you can substitute the sour cream and Ranch seasoning with your favorite Ranch dressing instead. It is a little easier to form the ball with sour cream though since it is thicker.
- The cream cheese MUST be at room temperature or you’ll have a really hard time mixing.
- If you enjoy spicy food, add Hot Sauce or Sriracha to the mixture for a kick.
- When serving the cheese ball, serve at room temp for a softer mixture that’s easier to spread or dip.
- You can use your favorite cheese or a mixture of cheeses. Mild cheddar, sharp cheddar, four-cheese (Mexican), Colby Jack or Monterey Jack cheese are all great options. TIP: Purchase a block of cheese and shred it for better flavor without additives.
How to Make Cheese ball in Advance?
We love make-ahead appetizers that taste just as good or better when made in advance. There are two ways to prepare the cheese ball in advance and both work great!
- Option 1: Prepare the mixture and refrigerate it in a bowl. Shape and coat before serving.
- Option 2: Prepare and shape the mixture and cover with plastic wrap, then refrigerate. Coat before serving.
Ideas How to Shape a Cheese Ball-
You don’t have to limit yourself to only a classic cheese ball shape (as we have in this recipe). Here are some other creative ideas for shaping the cheese ball. The décor can vary, depending on the shape and event-
- SPORTS- An oval football for football parties, or a basketball for finals, etc.
- FALL- A pumpkin for fall parties.
- CHRISTMAS- A reindeer, snowman, wreath or tree for Christmas.
- THANKSGIVING- A turkey for around Thanksgiving theme.
- LOG- You can also just shape the mixture into a log instead of a ball for any occasion.
What to Serve with a Cheese Ball:
Cheese balls are classically served with crackers of choice, but they can be served with so many different sides. Here are some other serving options for a cheese ball.
- Vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes or celery)
- Pretzels or Pretzel Crisps
- Bagels if serving for brunch
- Crostini
- Pita chips
- Salami or turkey
- Tortilla chips
- Your favorite crackers
- Olives or roasted peppers
How Long Will Cheese Balls Last?
A cheese ball can last up to 5 days, if refrigerated. Be sure to keep it tightly wrapped.
Try These Other Party Appetizers:
These are the appetizers that always disappear fast and get rave reviews. Just like this cheese ball recipe, most of these appetizers can be made ahead to make your party planning even easier!
- Pico De Gallo – learn the secret to the best pico!
- Ceviche – authentic and irresistibly delicious
- Deviled Eggs – with bacon and a surprise ingredient
- Buffalo Chicken Dip- Classic dip with a twist
- Chunky Guacamole- A favorite at parties.
Cheese Ball Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz bacon, chopped, divided
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 16 oz cream cheese, room temp
- 1/2 cup Mexican cheese, shredded (4 cheese blend)
- 1 1/4 cups cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped and divided
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped and divided
- 3 Tbsp Ranch seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 1/4 tsp poppyseeds, divided
Instructions
- Cut bacon into small pieces and sauté until cooked. Once cooled, set aside 1/4 of the bacon for the topping.
- In a bowl, add 3/4 of the bacon, 1/4 cup sour cream, 16 oz cream cheese, 1/2 cup four-cheese blend, 1 cup cheddar cheese, 3 Tbsp green onions, 1/4 cup walnuts, 3 Tbsp Ranch seasoning, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp pepper, and 1 tsp poppy seeds. With a wooden spatula, mix all ingredients until well combined.
- Finely chop the remaining 1/4 of bacon, 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, 1 Tbsp green onion, and 1/4 cup walnuts. Mix together with the 1/4 tsp poppy seed. Spread this mixture onto a cutting board.
- Form a ball out of the cheese mixture and roll the cheese ball over the toppings to fully coat and shape into an even ball as it's coated. Serve right away or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition Per Serving
If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen
Valentina Ablaev
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
My husband declares this delicious! I’m not a fan of ranch or these flavors, but I know my guests will be. Thank you for adding, again, to my repertoire! Quick question: This makes a lot. What would you think about freezing half of it? Would that work?
Hi Victoria! You’re very welcome! I haven’t frozen it but in my research, it sounds like cheese balls can freeze well. Maybe add the nuts on after thawing?
Made this for a Christmas party and followed the recipe to a T, except I used spicy ranch seasoning for a little kick. It was a crowd pleaser for sure and even had a few people ask for the recipe. Will be making this again.
I’m so glad it was a hit!
Hello! This looks wonderful! Do you think this would freeze well?
Hi Erin! I haven’t tested it myself but I think so. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and add nuts once completely thawed.
This is my families favorite cheeseball recipe! I use everything bagel seasoning and chopped pecans. Thank you!
So glad to hear that!
Hi Natasha,
I would like to give this a try but I cannot do walnuts because of an allergy. Do you think I can substitute with chopped sunflowers seeds or just completely omit the walnuts?
Looking forward to your reply.
HI Marisa, I think that would work to substitute the nuts with seeds or just omit the nuts altogether and add a little more bacon and chives.
The link for the Ranch Seasoning is broken. I would like to know what brand, etc. is recommended. Would you please fix that link?
Hi Amanda, I corrected the link and thank you for letting me know. Here is the Ranch Seasoning that was used for this recipe.
Do you think imitation bacon bits can be used instead of real bacon?
Hi Wendy, we prefer real bacon since the imitation ones tend to be harder, but if that’s all that you have on hand it may work. I hope you love this recipe.
I made this for a party. Everyone loved it. It makes a lot so next time I will cut the recipe in half.
Hey Carol! Great to hear that it was a huge hit. Thanks so much for this review and for sharing that with us.
Can use freeze these? I would like to make a a couple of these and have them ready when we need to bring one any occasion.
Hi Chelsea! I haven’t tested that but I think it will work.
can this be cut in half? way too much for me and my husband.
Hi Donna! Yes, you it can be. In the recipe card above, if you hover over the serving size you can slide to increase/decrease the serving size and this will convert the ingredient list for you.
Fantastic recipe…After reading some of the reviews I only added 2 tbsp of the Ranch powder… Will definitely be making again… Thank you
So glad you loved it, Kathy! Thank you for sharing.
Everyone LOVED this cheeseball recipe! I didn’t have dry Italian seasoning mix or sour cream so I used ranch dressing. I also used Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel sesame seasoning blend for the last 3 seasonings. Then I just rolled it in the bacon and cheese (I didn’t use nuts). I’m sure it tasted almost the same as the original recipe just without the nuts….thank you for a keeper!
You’re so welcome. Great to hear that it was a huge hit!
I made this for New Years Eve and here’s a list of the mistakes I made after getting feedback from friends with good taste buds and have no trouble being honest. 1. I used ranch dip mix instead of ranch seasoning and that could have been a mistake. 3 tablespoons was over powering and way too much. 2. I love bacon and added more bacon. Even some bacon bits from a packet. And a few drops of liquid smoke. Don’t do this. Follow the recipe. Two people commented, “wow that’s a lot of bacon”. I did not think that “too much bacon” was possible. But I achieved it. 3. I added too much cheese and even some pepper jack. Again, follow the recipe. I did not. All the extra stuff just made this too salty. Which is another comment I got. Luckily it was a large gathering and there were tons of other dishes to help keep mine unnoticed. One other comment I got was “ohh…this is an explosion in your mouth!” lol. It was not a boring cheeseball so I got that going, anyway. Better luck to me in the kitchen in 2023!
Thanks for sharing that with, Bradley. I recommend following the recipe as it is especially on your first try but practice makes perfect! I’m sure it will be very great on your next try.
I started making this a few years ago and now it is a favorite every year at the New Years party!
So glad you enjoy this recipe, Lynn! Thank you.
This was an excellent appetizer and flavors were perfect! Serving it again next year.
I’m glad to hear that, Sharon! Thank you for sharing.
I’ve never made a cheese ball so I decided to try this recipe. I used chip beef instead of bacon but I thought it was pretty salty. Otherwise it was really good. Would you recommend maybe half of the ranch seasoning? It calls for 3 tablespoons.
Hi Maria! I think that would be fine if you feel it was too salty.
Also, be sure that the garlic you are using is garlic powder and not garlic salt. 🙂
Last Thanksgiving I accidentally made this recipe with Neufchatel instead of cream cheese. It turned out just fine. The next day I found out that made with Neufchatel this is spreadable at refrigerator temperatures. Now I make in anytime and just keep it in a tub in the fridge. I use all of the other ingredients but just mix them all together, including the ‘reserved’ amounts since I don’t form it into a ball that is rolled to cover.
For those who don’t know, Neufchatel is like cream cheese but with less fat. Philly sells this as ‘less fat’ cream cheese in an almost identical wrapper (thus my accident). Others sell it as Neufchatel.
Thank you for the excellent review, Frank. I am so happy you enjoy this recipe. Thank you for sharing your experiment.
The ranch dressing mix is very overpowering and extremely rich. It would have been very tasty if that ingredient were left out
I loved the ranch dressing mx. To me it is what makes the cheese ball taste so delicious!
This was an excellent crowd pleasing appetizer and flavors were perfect!
Thank you for the awesome review, Zhanna!
Made this for New Years.. yummo!
I didn’t have green onion so I used fresh chives and had pecans on hand not walnuts. It was a hit!
Thx Natasha.. your recipes never disappoint!
I’m so happy to hear you loved this, Kim! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Hi Natasha! I haven’t made this yet but am thinking about it for NYE. Is there something I can replace the walnuts with? I’m allergic, unfortunately.
Hi Janae, you could just omit them and still have great results. It won’t alter the flavor much. If you really wanted to use something else, maybe some chopped pumpkin seeds, but really you can just omit them.
I just made this up – was fun to make – tasted good but I think will taste better after chilling – made a change – no ranch so I added green chiles and formed into a log – also I just shredded all my cheese into either the ball or topping
I hope you all loved it, Susan!
Thank you for this recipe! I made last night and was a bit overwhelmed by the ranch seasoning, so I added a 1/4 more of ingredients to reduce the impact. My husband liked it and I think it will be well received at my party today.
Thank you so much for sharing that feedback with me.
I will be making this for Christmas Eve. We are going to forgo fresh crab this Christmas and just do hordorves instead. I am so excited to make this and am quite sure everyone will love it. Your recipes are always delish! Thank you so much! I know I can always rely on your beautiful recipes!
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Janice!
Can the cheese ball be frozen? I made this for my charcuterie and there was so much food it hardly got touched. I would like to put it in the freezer, if possible.
Hi Susan, you can freeze a leftover cheeseball. Cover it with plastic wrap and freeze then thaw fully in the refrigerator before serving. You can also freeze a cheeseball ahead before rolling it in the crunchy outside coating then roll in the coating when it is fully thawed in the refrigerator.
Can you use the small packages of Ranch dressing that you use to make dips.
Hi April, yes, please see our section titled: “TIPS for the BEST Cheese Ball” where we link to the powder we used.
Loved the flavors in this cheese ball! Such a great combination and so delicious! It took me quite a lot longer than “minutes” to make it, but it was worth it 🙂
I’m so happy you enjoyed that, Janice! Thank you for sharing that with me.
Really really enjoy this I have a question now I split it into two cheese balls is it possible to freeze one or Christmas or is that not advisable?
Thank you and so great to hear that, Lynette. I have not tried freezing this but I imagine that plan could work! Please let us know how it goes if you try it.
I just made this! Very yummy! I used a little more bacon that what the recipe called for 🙂
I feel the ranch taste is too strong, and might use 2 tbsp of ranch seasoning next time instead of 3.
Delicious!
I’m happy you enjoyed that! Thank you for sharing this feedback with me!
I tried this today it is just awesome everybody try it it so good I love cheese so I buy cheese balls from outside but now homemade is the best 😘 thanks Natasha 😊
Hello Angel, I’m glad you enjoyed this cheese ball recipe. Thanks for sharing your great experience with us!
Your food is amazing i try all your food super duper
Love it! Thank you, Angel.
This cheese ball recipe is so delicious and I love how simple it is to make. Thank you for sharing!
You’re welcome Cyd! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
This is our favorite holiday appetizer! We can never get enough of it!
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Anna!
This looks delicious! I know my family will love this.
What’s not to like about these ingredients!!! And cheeseballs are easy-peasy to make, too! Sometimes I use the sour cream/cream cheese/grated cheese base and add Knorr’s Vegetable Soup Mix for flavoring. Let the cheeseball rest overnight so that the dried veggies absorb moisture and soften up a bit. I never met a cheeseball I didn’t like!
Hi Natasha, can I substitute ranch seasoning with another seasoning? Thank you!
Hi Luda, I haven’t tried a substitution but it should work! If you experiment I would love to know how you like that.
What can we use instead of bacon in this recipe?
Hi Fatin, if you wanted to omit the bacon completely you can.
An excellent appetizer. In my opinion, the bacon can be skipped, I won’t add it the next time I make it
Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Natalia!
This was fantastic at a dinner party we had the other night! It was so beautiful, too. Have quite a good size ball left, though. Can it be frozen successfully, do you think? Roz
Hi Roz! I haven’t tested freezing that since they never last long enough. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe
It doesn’t freeze well whole. Try freezing in smaller portions and use as a baked potato topper. It is divine.
This was a huge hit at our family Christmas gathering last night. Everyone really liked it, even my ‘somewhat’ picky teenage daughter kept coming back to it and saying, “this cheese ball is amazing Dad!” Thanks for the recipe and all you cheerfully provide on your site.
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I’m all smiles!
How long will this cheese ball be safe to serve?
Hi Ethel, A cheese ball can last up to 5 days, if refrigerated. Be sure to keep it tightly wrapped
This looks amazing and I can’t wait to make it. Can I use cream cheese that comes in a tub or does it have to be the blocked version in cardboard?
Hi, the container doesn’t make a difference but I would recommend plain cream cheese and just make sure it isn’t “whipped”
Excellent base cheese ball recipe! I omitted bacon and nuts due to allergies/preference, and then made individual cheese balls with a grape in the center. It was a winner with the crowd I had. Thanks Natasha!
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Kristin!
Looks great! Not a huge walnut fan. What are your thoughts on toasted slivered almonds with these flavors?
Hi Debra, I haven’t tested that with almond to advise, if you experiment, please let me know how you like that.
Suggestion for sub on the nuts – got nut allergies in the family.
Hi Dana, you could substitute with more nuts or more shredded cheese or both.
Do you use smoked bacon or unsmoked and what could I substitute the bacon for for somebody who doesn’t eat meat. Thank you Jennie
Hi Jennie, both will work great for the cheese ball. You could add more nuts and coat the cheese ball with more nuts if you wanted to omit the bacon completely.
Ohhhh road trips! Totally agree that food always tastes so much better when it’s packed for a road trip! Hope you’re having a nice time
We love our road trip snacks!
I literally just searched your site yesterday to see if you had a recipe for a cheese ball! You read my mind! I’ll be making this soon, thanks!
That’s just awesome, Samantha!!
LOVE cheese ball recipes as a party appetizer! Always such a hit!
It is such a treat. People’s eyes light up when they see this cheeseball. Mine do also!
Cheese balls are the best for parties! Need to try your recipe!
They are perfect and so easy! I hope this becomes a new favorite for you.
It’s not a holiday party without a Cheeseball! Thanks for the idea about making it into a snowman. I’m sure my kids will get a kick out of that.
Yes, it’s so fun and cute! I hope you have a beautiful Christmas!
What could I substitute for the walnuts? I have a family member who can’t have nuts.
Hi Gail, you could just omit them and still have great results. It won’t alter the flavor much. If you really wanted to use something else, maybe some chopped pumpkin seeds, but really you can just omit them.
This is a great cheeseball recipe as written! I like to mix in a package of Knorr’s Vegetable soup mix instead of Ranch once in a while just to change it up a bit.
I absolutely love that idea! Thank you for sharing! Do you do everything else about the same? I’d love to try your version. I love experimenting with new things.
Yes. I always start with sour cream, cream cheese, veggie soup mix and grated cheese (your choice). From there on just add whatever sounds good – chopped green onions or chives, olives, artichokes, smoked meats, sun dried tomatoes, etc. After the cheeseball is shaped I roll it in toasted sesame seeds. They never turn out the same way twice but they are always delish!
Oh goodness, that sounds amazing with sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes – yum!! Thank you so much for sharing.
I just made a cheeseball with feta cheese, Kalamatta olives and red onion using Knorr vegetable soup in place of ranch. A big hit!
Oh yum that sounds amazing!! Thank you for sharing!