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Loaded Cheese Ball

January 22, 2021

95 shares
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Loaded Cheese Ball – A mixture of cream cheese and sour cream combines with shredded cheese, dried beef, walnuts and green onions to create a cheese ball that will be the hit of the party.

This post may include affiliate links. Please see my disclosure.

When people hear the word, “cheese ball,” they often associate them with Christmas. My husband’s grandmother always used to make a huge cheese ball during Christmas (I’m pretty sure she tripled the recipe) – it was tradition.

I’m here today to tell you that cheese balls can be enjoyed year-round. In fact, our favorite time to make them is on Sundays during football season. And THIS weekend we’re getting ready for a big playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

So, when we’re dealing with a game as big as this, we don’t make just any cheese ball. We make the Loaded Cheese Ball. It has a delicious ranch flavor. . .but it doesn’t stop there.

It’s filled with dried beef and cheddar cheese – THEN, rolled in more cheese, finely chopped walnuts and fresh parsley and garnished with fresh green onions. 

Whew! And let me tell you. . .it’s amazing. Ready to make this satisfying appetizer? Then let’s get started. It’s almost game time!

HOW TO MAKE A LOADED CHEESE BALL

To make this crowd-pleasing cheese ball, you’ll need:

  • Cream cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Sharp shredded cheese
  • Ranch-style dressing mix
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Garlic powder
  • Dried beef
  • Parsley
  • Walnuts
  • Green onions

ingredients for making cheese ball

In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese, sour cream, half of the cheddar cheese (1 cup), dressing mix, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder and dried beef. 

Mixing ingredients for cheese ball in glass bowl

Transfer the mixture onto a section of plastic wrap, pull the corners of the plastic wrap together and twist to form either one large ball.

Place the cheese ball in the fridge to chill for 10-15 minutes.

cheese ball wrapped in plastic wrap

Roll the cheese ball in the remaining cup of cheddar cheese.

cheese ball sitting on top of pile of shredded cheese

Then, into the mixture of nuts and parsley.

cheese ball covered in shredded cheese

And finally, press the chopped green onions into the ball and place your “work of art” on a plate.

top shot of cheese ball covered with parsley and green onions

TIPS FOR MAKING A CHEESE BALL

  • If you’re short on time, pre-shredded cheese from the store works just fine for the cheese ball, but if you’re able, freshly grated cheese will have an even better flavor (without the powdery coating).
  • Dried beef in a jar can be found in the packaged meat aisle of your local grocery store. It’s often close to canned and/or packaged tuna.
  • Allow the cheese ball to rest at room temperature before serving for a softer consistency.
  • Make sure to finely chop the walnuts and the parsley in order to easily coat the cheese ball.
  • Use a butter spreader to enjoy the cheese ball rather than trying to use a chip or cracker to dip that may easily break against the cheese ball even when softened.

close up of cheese ball with crackers

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO MIX THE INGREDIENTS FOR THE CHEESE BALL?

I like to mix all of the ingredients by hand, so I usually just make sure the cream cheese is softened enough to do so. You can also use an electric hand mixer, as well, if you would prefer. 

digging into cheese ball with a spreader knife

CAN I PREPARE THE CHEESE BALL AHEAD OF TIME?

You sure can. You could make the cheese ball 1-2 days ahead of time.

If you are preparing it in advance, I would leave off the walnuts, parsley and green onions until the day you plan to serve it so they are as fresh as possible.

close up of inside of a cheese ball

HOW LONG CAN A CHEESE BALL SIT OUT?

Take the cheese ball out of the fridge about 20 minutes before serving to help it soften. Since there is dairy in the ingredients, it should be left sitting out unrefrigerated for longer than two hours.

Cheese ball on a cake stand surrounded by crackers

HOW LONG DOES A CHEESE BALL KEEP?

With the fresh ingredients, the cheese ball will keep for 4-5 days. If you don’t add the green onions or parsley it could keep longer.

Cheese ball appetizer

CAN YOU FREEZE A CHEESE BALL?

Yes, you can. You just need to freeze it at the stage before you start rolling it in the fresh ingredients. After forming the cheese ball, place it in a freezer bag. The cheese ball can be frozen for up to one month. 

Thaw overnight in the fridge, then roll the cheese ball in the fresh ingredients and serve.

cracker filled with cheese ball mixture

WHAT DO YOU SERVE WITH A CHEESE BALL?

We love serving the cheese ball with Ritz crackers, but you could also use any of the following:

  • Pita chips
  • Carrot or celery sticks
  • Pretzels
  • Bagel chips
  • Crostini
  • Mini bagel pieces

top shot of cheese ball and crackers

HUNGRY FOR MORE AMAZING APPETIZERS?

  • Veggie Pizza
  • Air Fryer Onion Rings
  • Mexican Street Corn Salsa
  • Ham & Cheese Sliders
  • Air Fryer Pickles
  • Ritz Cracker Caprese Bites
  • Chicken Salad Dip
  • Broccoli Cheese Dip
  • Sugar Cookie Fruit Cups
  • Wisconsin Cheese Curds
  • Classic Bruschetta
  • Cheesy Artichoke Dip
  • Easy Queso Dip

Loaded Cheese Ball

digging into cheese ball with a spreader knife
Print

A mixture of cream cheese and sour cream combines with shredded cheese, dried beef, walnuts and green onions to create a cheese ball that will be the hit of the party.

  • Author: Sara

Ingredients

  • 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
  • 3 tablespoons Ranch-style dressing mix
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2.25 ounces dried beef, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 cups walnuts, finely chopped
  • Green onions, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese, sour cream, 1 cup cheddar cheese, dressing mix, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder and dried beef. You can either mix by hand or with an electric hand mixer.
  2. Transfer mixture onto a section of plastic wrap, pull corners together and twist to form a large ball.
  3. Place in the fridge for 10-15 minutes.
  4. Roll the chilled cheese ball into the remaining cup of cheddar cheese.
  5. Mix the finely chopped walnuts and parsley.
  6. Roll the cheese ball in the mixture of nuts and parsley.
  7. Press chopped green onions into the ball and place on a plate.

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  1. Susan Dubose says

    February 1, 2021 at 8:27 pm

    Wonderful! I made these for a friend who is diabetic to avoid sweet treats. They were a huge hit. Thank you!!!

    Reply
    • Sara says

      February 1, 2021 at 10:09 pm

      I’m so glad! Thank you for sharing!

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Sara!

I’m a Mid-Western girl with a Type A personality who lives to entertain. I believe it’s the special touches that make all the difference when it comes to family, home and a happy life. Read more

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