Garlic Cheese Ball {with Parmesan and Italian Herbs}

This Garlic Cheese Ball pairs perfectly with Italian herb crackers for a simple, 5 minute appetizer that is full of garlic and Italian cheese flavors. It will be one of your party favorites for holiday entertaining.

Garlic Cheese Ball

One of our family Christmas traditions is to have a buffet on Christmas Eve.  If there’s any time of year that we know how to put out a spread of good food, it’s Christmas Eve. And we repeat all of it on New Year’s Eve. Meatballs, taco salad, vegetable pizza, cookies, cheese and crackers are just some of the fun foods that show up on our Christmas decorated table. We have these comfort foods other times of the year, but when they all show up on the table at one time, well…it’s pretty much guaranteed we won’t hear Santa on your roof because we’ll be in a deep food coma.

Cheese and crackers are a must-have this time of year. And not just for your Christmas parties.  Have a simple garlic cheese ball and a box of crackers on hand will  ensure that you have something quick and easy to share with guests (with cute cheese spreaders!)  that happen to stop by.  The crackers that I like to have on hand? Italian herb crackers.  These little crispy crackers are packed full of flavor that will have your taste buds singing.

Cheese Ball Ingredients

I created the recipe for this garlic cheese ball from some of my favorite ingredients. Cream cheese, sour cream, Italian shredded cheese, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning….and garlic. I wanted the garlic flavor to take center stage and added the Italian cheeses to complement the garlic.

The recipe for this garlic cheese ball comes together quickly. It takes just 5 minutes to mix up all of the ingredients. I like to refrigerate the cheese mixture for an hour or two so that the cheese is easy to roll into a ball, then cover it in chopped pecans.

It’s a great, make-ahead appetizer because the flavors only enhance as it sits. You can store it in your refrigerator for a week.  But if it lasts that long, I’ll be impressed. Serve it as an appetizer to these delicious meatballs!

What are your Christmas Eve traditions? Leave a comment sharing with me how you’re planning to wow your guests this year!

Garlic Cheese Ball

4.80 from 25 votes

This Garlic Cheese Ball pairs perfectly with Italian herb crackers for a simple, 5 minute appetizer that is full of garlic and Italian cheese flavors. It will be one of your party favorites for holiday entertaining.

Servings 15 servings

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

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Ingredients

 

• 8 ounces cream cheese softened
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
• 1/4 cup Italian shredded cheese (or mozzarella cheese)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Instructions

 

• In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese until it is smooth. Add the garlic, sour cream, cheeses and Italian seasoning. Mix until well combined. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
• Place the chopped pecans on a plate. Form the cheese mixture into a ball, then roll the ball in the chopped pecans until the outside of the cheese ball is completely covered.
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving.
• Serve with crackers.

Video

Notes

I’ve not tried this recipe using reduced fat cream cheese or sour cream. You could definitely make this substitute, but it will make the cheese ball a lot softer.

Nutrition

Calories: 96kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 90mg | Potassium: 41mg | Vitamin A: 255IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Italian

Calories 96

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