Easy Smoky Cheese Ball Recipe {VIDEO}
This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
It’s not a party without a cheese ball! This classic cheese ball recipe with smoked gouda rolled in toasted pecans is always a crowd-pleaser and the perfect addition to any party or charcuterie board. Serve it with your favorite crackers or fresh veggies for an appetizer that is sure to impress your guests!
If you’ve already tried Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip, Creamy Whipped Feta and Red Wine Cranberry Cheese Log and you want something that everyone will love for your next get-together, this is a great, easy cheese ball recipe to try.
Be sure to sign up for my email… to get new recipes and ideas in your inbox!
Click HERE to save recipe to Pinterest!
Table of Contents
Easy Smoky Cheese Ball
Through most of the ’50s through the ’70s, you could never go to any party without seeing at least one cheese ball in the mix of the food spread. It’s one of those classic recipes that every good hostess should know how to make.
So, if you need a good fall appetizer to make this year, you’ll want this Smoky Cheese Ball recipe that is always a hit! With ingredients like gouda, cream cheese, and toasted pecans, what’s not to love?
I have a special obsession for this cheese ball because it’s so delicious, only requires only a handful of ingredients, and you can make it ahead of time. It really is the total package and the perfect party food for the holidays or any time of the year!
While it seems like it was just the middle of summer yesterday, somehow the holiday season is already quickly approaching, which means it’s already time to prepping all of the thanksgiving and holiday party food spreads. So, to make sure you never run out of any recipe ideas this season, I’m teaming up with some incredibly talented blogger friends for another part of the Tastes of the Season Holiday Recipe series. Each month through the end of the year, there will be seasonally inspired recipes you won’t want to miss!
This month is all about Fall Appetizers! I’ll be linking up all 16 delicious recipes at the end of this post. Be sure to visit each one for even more fall-inspired appetizer recipes.
How To Make A Cheese Ball Recipe
The cheese ball is a quick and easy mixture that you can make in no time when you need a quick and delicious appetizer for your next party.
(full printable recipe at the end of this post)
To make this recipe, just combine the gouda, cream cheese, butter, milk, steak sauce, and garlic powder in a mixing bowl, and beat mixture until well combined and fluffy. Once mixed, transfer the mixture to a large piece of plastic wrap, lift up the sides of the plastic wrap and wrap and cover the mixture, forming it into a ball.
Chill in the refrigerator several hours or overnight. Lastly, place the toasted pecans on a piece of waxed paper; gently roll cheese ball over the nuts to coat. Serve with crackers or toasted baguette bread slices. Enjoy!
Classic Cheese Ball Recipe Variations
If you want to talk about variations – you could add:
- for more of a holiday flavor add 1/4 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped and 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped
- use sharp cheddar cheese instead of gouda
- roll in walnuts instead of pecans
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
- add 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives and 1/4 cup chopped oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained
- roll into 2 logs instead of a ball
How To Serve A Smoky Cheese Ball Recipe
Serving your cheese ball is almost easier than making the recipe! It’s one of those appetizers that’s so appetizing it pretty much serves itself.
When it comes to cheese spreads, you can’t go wrong with what to serve with it! Typically a good firm cracker works best for this cheese ball recipe, but you could use a variety of firm veggies too.
Some of my favorites to serve with it are celery, tortilla chips, Ritz crackers, pretzels, saltine crackers, or wheat thins.
What Goes With An Easy Cheese Ball Recipe?
When it comes to serving food at a party the hardest part is figuring out that perfect food combo that everyone will go crazy over. That’s why when I make this easy cheese ball recipe, I love to serve it as part of an epic fall charcuterie board.
Just grab some of your favorite meats, cheeses, and other charcuterie board staples, and people will be flocking to the appetizer table in no time.
How Long Does A Cheese Ball Recipe Keep?
A cheese ball is something that is going to be best served the day after it’s prepared, but it will also keep for about 2-3 days after that when kept in the refrigerator.
As for how long it will stay fresh when serving the cheese ball, you’ll want to make sure it’s never kept sitting at room temperature for longer than about 2 hours. If you plan to serve it for longer than that, try to return it to the refrigerator, and then take it back out if your guests still want more.
Can I Freeze This Cheese Ball Recipe?
Absolutely! To freeze the cheese ball, just wrap the prepared ball in plastic wrap and store it in the freezer for up to two months. Once you’re ready to eat it, remove the cheese ball from the freezer and let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
Like This Smoky Cheese Ball Recipe? Pin It! 
Tools used to make this cheese ball recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy here.
This is the perfect wood serving board to hold your cheeses, cured meats, olives, dried fruits, nuts, and crackers and really make everything stand out!
Always make sure you have some cling wrap on hand before you make a cheese ball, or forming the ball is going to be a lot harder.
I love this set of cheese spreaders that make serving the cheese ball so much easier. So, whether you’re slicing some butter or spreading some cheese, this knife does it all.
FOLLOW ALONG ON SOCIAL MEDIA
If you’re looking for even more inspiration check out the fun little group I created on Facebook, I’d love for you to join in! It’s a place where you can share YOUR favorite recipes, home tips, creative ideas and ask questions and see what’s new with TidyMom! If you’d like to check it out, you can request to join HERE.
Be sure to follow me on Instagram and tag #tidymom so I can see all the wonderful TidyMom recipes YOU make and tips YOU use!
Connect with TidyMom!
Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Sign up to receive an email in your inbox for each new recipe:
Smoky Cheese Ball
This classic cheese ball recipe with smoked gouda rolled in toasted pecans is always a crowd-pleaser and the perfect addition to any party or charcuterie board.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded smoked Gouda cheese, room temperature
- 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 teaspoons steak sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup toasted finely chopped pecans
- 1-2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- crackers for serving
Instructions
- In a mixer bowl, combine gouda, cream cheese, butter, milk, steak sauce, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Using the paddle attachment of an electric mixer, beat mixture until well combined and fluffy.
- Transfer mixture to a large piece of plastic wrap, lift up the sides of the plastic wrap and wrap and cover the mixture, forming it into a ball. Chill in refrigerator several hours or overnight.
- Place nuts and chopped parsley on a piece of waxed paper; gently roll cheese ball over the nuts to coat. Place on a platter and serve with crackers or toasted baguette bread slices.
Notes
cheese ball can be stored covered in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 109Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 198mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 4g
Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients used.
Delicious Warm Cheddar Cheese Dip by Ella Claire & Co. | Baked Brie & Walnut Puffs by On Sutton Place | Baked Delicata Rings by Inspired by Charm | Baked Brie with Figs and Honey
Fall Charcuterie Platter by Craftberry Bush | Truffle, Almond, & Apple Flatbread by The Chronicles of Home | Lady Mary’s Crab Canapes by Town and Country Living | Roasted Grapes on Baguette by Tidbits
Zucchini Tart with Goat Cheese by My Sweet Savannah | Mini Pumpkin Pies by Shabby FuFu | Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers by Farmhouse on Boone | Fall Charcuterie by Happy Happy Nester
Roasted Garlic Hummus by Home Made Lovely | Smoky Cheese Ball by Tidy Mom | Easy Skillet Brie by French Country Cottage | Gluten + Dairy Free Herbed Boursin with Cranberry Almond Crackers by Zevy Joy
Baked Cheese, Pear and Prosciutto Cresent Roll by Julie Blanner | Rosemary Cashews by Rooms for Rent
Hi there, I'm Cheryl!
As a wife, mom, and caffeine enthusiast, my journey has taken me from bustling mornings with my family to sharing delicious recipes, home care tips, and heartfelt decorating insights with wonderful readers like you. My love for baking, photography, and tidiness shines through every post I craft. Dive into my world and discover the art of homemaking, one tidy moment at a time. Read more...
Tidymom is a participant in the amazon services llc associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Please respect my work, recipes and photographs. If you do use a recipe in your own writing, please give proper credit and link back to the original post.
I grew up in the era of cheese balls and to date my husband and I still love them. Like you said, “what’s not to love?” This cheese ball sounds so good and looks beautiful.
Hope you’re doing well, haven’t been by in a while. Thanks for sharing.
Hi there, can you share what green herb you used in the chopped pecan mixture.
Thanks!
parsley 😉
Looks delicious! What else can I roll it in, nut allergy?
pretzels would probably be good
Freshly made bacon bits. I’ve done this and yum!
Sounds really yummy, going to try this.