I recently made a couple of cheese balls for Halloween and while I was going through my recipes I couldn’t help but notice how many variations there were.  So, I thought I’d make a list of some options, although the list is endless…..

Most cheese balls start with 1 or 2  8oz bars of softened cream cheese, some add butter, some do not, not sure why…then another type of cheese like grated cheddar…then add your main flavor like beef, ham, peppers…and so on…then a spice or secondary flavor like mustard, garlic, onion, dry seasonings…then finish off with nuts and/or herbs to roll the ball in.  See?  As far as your imagination will take you.  Here’s where mine’s been…and what a perfect start to an instant party!!!

Now, you can double these at any time, but I’ll start each of these cheese balls with 8oz cream cheese, softened, mix with the additional grated cheese and then add the other ingredients (all chopped finely) forming a ball.  If it doesn’t have ranch or Italian dry mix in one of these, it probably needs a couple of dashes of seasoned salt as well.  Refrigerate till firm then roll in seeds, nuts, herbs or whatever you like….

• 1/2 cup each grated mozzarella and Parmesan with 1 pkg dry Italian salad mix.  Roll in chopped nuts, parsley,  scallions.  He was my little Halloween Goblin, but he could be a snowman or bunny?  From Food Network Magazine.
• 3/4 cup grated cheddar, 2 Tbs each chopped scallion and jalapeno, 1 Tbs salsa, 1 tsp cumin.  Roll in crushed Nacho flavored Doritos.  With a bell pepper stem, it makes a cute pumpkin for fall. From Food Network Magazine.
• 1 jar dried beef, chopped, 2 scallions, 1 Tbs Worcestershire, dash seasoned salt.  Roll in chopped pecans
• 10 oz frozen chopped spinach (cooked and drained well), 4 oz feta, 4 oz artichoke hearts, chopped, 2 tsp garlic, 1 pkg dry ranch mix.  Roll in seeds, nuts or herbs
• 1 cup cheddar, 1 pkg dry ranch mix, 1 Tbs sour cream.  Roll in pecans
• 1/2 cup butter, softened, 3/4 cup powdered sugar, 2 Tbs brown sugar, 1/4 tsp vanilla, 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips.  Roll in pecans/nuts.  Serve with graham cracker or cookies.
• 6 oz Roquefort, 1 minced shallot, 2 tsp brandy, 1/2 cup walnuts, s&p.  Roll in walnuts also.
• 4-6 oz goat cheese, 2 scallions, 1/2 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, 2 Tbs basil pesto.  Roll in chopped basil and walnuts.
• 1 cup cheddar, 1 Tbs Dijon, 1 Tbs Worcestershire,  1/4 cup blue cheese, s&p.  Roll in parsley and nuts.
• 8.5 oz crushed pineapple, drained, 1/4 cup bell pepper, 1 tsp grated onion, dash of seasoned salt.  Roll in nuts.
• another bar cream cheese, 1 pkg dry ranch mix, 3 scallions, 8 oz smoked ham, chopped, 1 Tbs Worcestershire.  Roll in scallions, parsley and nuts.
• 4-6 oz good smoked salmon, 2 scallions,  1 Tbs capers, 1 tsp horseradish, sprinkle lemon juice.  Roll in herbs and nuts.  Serve with toasted bagel bites.
• 1 cup sharp cheddar, 1 Tbs garlic, 2 scallions, 1/2 cup cooked diced bacon (or good bacon bits).  Roll in bacon and parsley.  maybe nuts.
• 1/2 cup each cheddar & pepper-jack, 1 Tbs garlic, 2 scallions, 1 Tbs mayo, 1 Tbs jalapeno.  Roll in nuts.
• 1 cup pimento cheese.  Roll in nuts.
• 1 cup powdered sugar, 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter, 3 Tbs brown sugar.  Roll in mini chocolate chips…can also use Reese’s pieces.   Serve with cookies.
• small can green chiles, drained, 1 cup pepper-jack, 1 Tbs garlic, s&p.  Roll in nuts or herbs.
• another bar cream cheese, 1 pkg dry ranch mix, 3 scallions, 1/2 lb crab meat.  Roll in parsley, seeds or nuts.
• 1 small can chicken, drained, 1/4 cup buffalo sauce, 1 Tbs dry ranch mix, 3/4 cup cheddar.  Roll in 1/4 cup cheddar.
• 1 cup smoked Gouda, 1 Tbs grated onion, 1/4 chopped pecans, dash of steak sauce or Worcestershire.  Roll in herbs, seeds or nuts.
• 1/2 cup butter, 4 oz green olives, 2 scallions, s&p.  Roll in nuts.
• 1/2 cup butter, 3/4 cup powdered sugar, 1-2 Tbs lemonade mix, juice and zest from 1/2 lemon..  Roll in lemon zest.  Serve with vanilla wafers or cookies.

So…the list is endless and I do have a few others I will do later.  What are your favorite cheese ball recipes?

 

Tagged: appetizers, buffalo, cheese balls, chipped beef, cream cheese, creamy, easy, easy cocktail, party favorites, salmon