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Ham-Cheddar Cheese Ball

5 reviews
Test Kitchen Approved
Total Time

Prep: 15 min. + chilling

Makes

4 cups

Updated: Sep. 12, 2022
With the classic combo of ham and cheese, this spread is a year-round favorite at our house. For football parties, shape the ham and cheese ball into a football and add strips of Swiss for the laces. —Michele Moore, Mooresville, Indiana
Ham-Cheddar Cheese Ball
Ham-Cheddar Cheese Ball Recipe photo by Taste of Home
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Ingredients

  • 1/2 pound thinly sliced deli ham
  • 1/2 medium onion, cut into wedges
  • 2 cups finely shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, cubed
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 slice Swiss cheese
  • Optional: Assorted crackers and assorted fresh vegetables

Directions

  1. Place ham and onion in a food processor; pulse until finely chopped. Add cheddar cheese; pulse until blended. Add cream cheese; process until smooth.
  2. Shape cheese mixture into a football; press pecans into cheese mixture. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
  3. Cut Swiss cheese into strips; arrange over top for laces. Serve with crackers and vegetables.
Ham and Cheese Ball Tips

How far in advance can you make a ham and cheese ball?

Feel free to make your ham and cheese ball a few days ahead, but hold off on rolling it in the chopped pecans until shortly before serving. (If you roll the ball too far in advance, the pecans might get a little soggy.) Keep the ham and cheese ball tightly wrapped in the refrigerator until you're ready to roll and serve.

How else can you shape a ham and cheese ball?

While we shaped our ham and cheese ball like a football, you can also make a regular sphere shape, or even a log, for gatherings that aren't football centric. Feel free to skip the Swiss "laces" if you shape it otherwise! Take inspiration from other great cheese ball recipes.

What else can you serve with a ham and cheese ball?

While club crackers and raw veggies such as snap peas, cucumbers and green bell peppers pair nicely with this ham and cheese ball, other options include saltines, pretzels, pita chips or butter crackers like Ritz. After you decide on the perfect contenders for each swipe of this ham and cheese spread, figure out more game day snacks or appetizer recipes you'll make to complete the lineup.

—Lauren Pahmeier, Taste of Home Associate Editor

Nutrition Facts

2 tablespoons (calculated without crackers): 108 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 26mg cholesterol, 162mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.