Home Recipes Dishes & Beverages Cheese Balls

Celebration Cheese Balls

Name: Celebration Cheese Balls
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 3 cheese balls (1 cup each).
Ingredients: 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened; 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 garlic cloves, minced; PINE NUT-PESTO CHEESE BALL:; 2 tablespoons prepared pesto; 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil; 10 tablespoons toasted pine nuts, divided; HORSERADISH-BACON CHEESE BALL:; 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish; 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon; 1 green onion, finely chopped; SALSA CHEESE BALL:; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro; 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion; 1 tablespoon minced seeded jalapeno pepper; Assorted crackers

2 reviews

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 30 min. + chilling

Makes

3 cheese balls (1 cup each)

A handful of simple ingredients that go together in minutes, three fun flavorful options…these creamy cheese balls from our Test Kitchen are a darling, do-ahead delight for busy holiday hostesses! Why not whip up several batches? —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Celebration Cheese Balls Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Next Recipe

Ingredients

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 garlic cloves, minced
PINE NUT-PESTO CHEESE BALL:
2 tablespoons prepared pesto
2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
10 tablespoons toasted pine nuts, divided
HORSERADISH-BACON CHEESE BALL:
2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon
1 green onion, finely chopped
SALSA CHEESE BALL:
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon minced seeded jalapeno pepper
Assorted crackers

Directions

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, Parmesan cheese and garlic until blended. Divide into three portions.
For Pine Nut-Pesto Cheese Ball: Beat one portion of cream cheese mixture and pesto until blended. Stir in basil. Chop 2 tablespoons pine nuts; stir into cheese mixture. Shape into a ball; roll in remaining pine nuts. Wrap in plastic; chill until firm.
For Horseradish-Bacon Cheese Ball: Beat one portion of cream cheese mixture and horseradish until blended. Stir in bacon and onion. Shape into a ball. Wrap in plastic; chill until firm.
For Salsa Cheese Ball: Beat one portion of cream cheese mixture, tomato paste and salt until blended. Stir in cilantro, onion and jalapeno. Shape into a ball. Wrap in plastic; chill until firm.
Can refrigerate up to two weeks. Serve with crackers.

Peppers (Hot)

Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.

Nutrition Facts

1/4 cup: 57 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 98mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.