Whether you’re going to a party or just want something to munch on, this is the perfect cheeseball is the charmingly retro snack to do it with. This cheeseball is fantastic with crackers, baby peppers, carrots, or celery. If you divide it up into mini sized balls, it makes a nice neighbor gift for the holidays as well!
This cheese ball is LOVED at parties, to the point where I see people forgoing the crackers and just going straight for the big boy with a butter knife. So as you’re planning snacks for parties in the coming weeks, give this a try!
To get started, finely chop some green onions…
and some bell peppers.
I just grab a bag of baby peppers and chop a few of those, then serve the rest of the peppers with the cheeseball.
Place those in a medium mixing bowl and add some shredded sharp cheddar cheese…
some well-drained crushed pineapple…
softened cream cheese…
and seasoning salt.
Mix well.
No matter how good my intentions, I always end up mixing it with my hands sooner or later.
When thoroughly mixed, shape into a ball and roll in some crushed pecans.
Chill thoroughly.
Serve with crackers and/or vegetables.
The Perfect Cheeseball
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 1 Large Cheesball
Description
Ingredients
- 2 8-ounce packages softened cream cheese (light cream cheese is fine)
- 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
- 1/4 cup finely chopped bell peppers (any color)
- 2 teaspoons seasoning salt
- 1 small can crushed pineapple, drained very well (you can press it through a fine mesh strainer to help remove the excess liquid)
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or pecan pieces
- Crackers and vegetables for serving
Instructions
In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients except pecans. Mix well (you may need to mix with your hands at some point.) When thoroughly mixed, shape into a ball and roll in crushed pecans. Chill thoroughly. Serve with crackers and/or vegetables.
Notes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
Questions & Reviews
My SIL brought this to munch on pre-Thanksgiving and it has been a staple ever since. I look it up every year!
I used to make this years ago and had lost my recipe. Thanks so much for posting it.
When I was teaching school one of the teachers brought in. Dip that was make with tomato soup and lemon jello! . I know, sounds funny but it was delicious. Is anyone familiar with this?
Haha, I’ve never heard of that one!
This is almost identical to my mom’s cheeseball recipe that is DIVINE! Hers doesn’t have shredded cheese, though, and that sounds like a weird combo to me.
Love this recipe! I’ve been using it for years and it’s very addictive. 🙂 I do leave out the pineapple though.
I was so excited to stumbled upon this, I went right to a box of my Mom’s recipes, it is a match, . I had forgotten this one a long time ago.Thank you for the memories I will be making this , this season in memory of her 🙂 Kel
Could you make this using pineapple cream cheese rather than adding the pineapple? I tried to make a similar cheese ball once and I guess I didn’t get the pineapple drained well enough because it turned out more like dip than a cheese ball.
Pineapple cream cheese would not be as good! Just make sure the pineapple is drained thoroughly. Let it sit in the strainer for like 15 min after you’ve pressed it with the back of a spoon and/or squeeze it out in a dishtowel or cheesecloth.
How far in advance can I make this? Does it freeze okay?
I wouldn’t freeze it, but you could make it 2-3 days ahead of time (just don’t roll it in the nuts until right before you serve it). Hope that helps!
Great recipe. The pineapple and peppers complement each other. Many recipes of this variety are cream cheese only. Do not forgo the sharp cheddar. The bigger the batch the better.
PS – Credit for this recipe goes out to Jean Kay Williams. The originator from Cardston, AB. 😉
Thanks for your great recipes..I made this cheeseball for my daughters baby shower and it was a big hit,,,she loved it..I do think its the sweet and salty mix that makes it!! I will make it again for sure..thanks
I made this for a party last week and sad to say, it was not a hit. 🙁 I came home with at least 4/5 of it, which is a lot since this cheese ball is HUGE! I left out the peppers because I'm not a fan, but included the pineapple and honestly that's where I think it went wrong.
If you're not sure on this one–try half the recipe first, so you're not left with a ton of leftovers if you don't like it.
We use the same recipe but also add chopped up bacon pieces. It gives it a little bit of a smoked flavor. Its very tasty try it.
I have been making this exact cheeseball for years. A coworker had brought it in and no one could stop eating it. YUM!
I made this for our New Year’s party~ very easy and very yummy!
ugh, I have that now. So lame.
That does sound yummy! No super-exciting NYE plans, but we are having dinner with some family. No late nights for us though, with two little girls and a baby 🙂
This looks so good Kate!! I may have to try it. I’ve made a couple cheeseballs, but never with the pineapple, but it sounds like it’d be so yummy
I think my hubby would like this because of the pineapple in it, thqat cheese ball is perfectly round. I hope mine looks that good!
This looks so good, I’ve always wondered about making them. I might have to try it this year, it’s a perfect New Years food.
That looks good to me…I have not made one in years…always liked the port cheese one…a friend made one that I am going to try and make this week…
Ya know, I’ve never made a cheeseball before. Maybe this will be my year! I bet the sweet/salty combo is really good.
Mmm… that sounds tasty. I always roll mine in a little bit of chopped fresh parsley too, it gives it some color. By the way, I made your french dip sandwiches (FYI your link was broken on the last post) last night and they were so delicious!! I’m having leftovers for lunch today. Thanks for the great recipes!
Yeah, the pineapple part sounds a little weird, but it’s good, I promise! I think it’s the whole sweet and salty thing, kind of like pineapple on pizza. Seriously, don’t be scared! 🙂
I love homemade cheeseballs… but I’ve never had one with crushed pineapple in it… doesn’t that taste clash??