Garlic Cheese Ball

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This Garlic Cheese Ball recipe with Italian seasoning is a simple appetizer with 10 minutes prep time. It pairs well with crackers or a crusty Italian bread on a charcuterie board.

When I was growing up, my family had charcuterie boards every holiday. They weren’t called that then, but even without the fancy name, I loved those spreads of meats, cheeses, crackers and dips.

Meat and cheese boards are now our go-to for guests almost any time of the year. Make this 10 minute garlic cheese ball recipe to have something quick and easy to share with guests that pop in. 

a cracker sitting on top of a garlic cheese ball

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

Garlic Cheese Ball Ingredients

I created the recipe for this garlic cheese ball from some of my favorite ingredients.

  • Cream cheese. Full fat works best in cheese balls for the best shape and texure.
  • Sour cream. Use full fat sour cream in this recipe for best results.
  • Italian shredded cheese.
  • Parmesan cheese. Use freshly shredded Parmesan rather than the canister kind.
  • Italian seasoning. Our homemade Italian seasoning blend gives it a special pop of flavor.
  • Garlic. The garlic flavor takes center stage. It’s definitely a cheeseball for garlic lovers!
  • Chopped nuts. Chopped walnuts or pecans are great for this classic cheese ball recipe.

How to Make a Garlic Cheese Ball in 3 Steps

  • In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer to mix the cream cheese until it is smooth. Add the garlic, sour cream, cheeses and Italian seasoning. Mix until well combined. Chill for 1-2 hours. 
  • Place the chopped nuts 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. ½ to 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until serving.
a cheese ball on a plate with parsley and crackers

Other Additions

Looking to change up this easy cheese ball recipe? Try adding one of these to change the flavor:

  • Switch out the mozzarella cheese for sharp cheddar cheese.
  • Add chopped green onions for a pretty look and onion flavor.
  • Fresh parsley or oregano looks pretty on the inside, but you can also add fresh snipped herbs to the nuts on the outside of the garlic cheese ball.
  • Want even more garlic flavor? Add ½ teaspoon of garlic powder.
  • Add red pepper flakes for a hint of spice.

You may also love to serve this garlic cheese ball with our our everything Italian bread, Italian vegetable soup, garlic parmesan chicken, hot honey baked brie, or Italian tomato sandwiches.

closeup of garlic cheese ball with a cracker in it
closeup of garlic cheese ball with a cracker in it

Garlic Cheese Ball

4.83 from 28 votes
This Garlic Cheese Ball recipe with Italian seasoning is a simple appetizer with 10 minutes prep time. It pairs well with crackers or a crusty Italian bread on a charcuterie board.
Servings 15 servings
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 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 freshly shredded
  • 1/4 cup Italian shredded cheese (or mozzarella cheese)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ to 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions
 

  • In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer to mix the cream cheese until it is smooth. Add the garlic, sour cream, cheeses and Italian seasoning. Mix until well combined. Chill for 1-2 hours. 8 ounces cream cheese, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, ¼ cup sour cream, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, ¼ cup Italian shredded cheese, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Place the chopped nuts 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. ½ to 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • Cover with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator until serving.
  • Serve with crackers or veggies such as celery,

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 softer. I recommend using full fat.

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
Keyword appetizer recipe, cheese ball recipe, garlic
About JulieJulie Clark

About Julie Clark

I'm Julie Clark, CEO and recipe developer of Tastes of Lizzy T. With my B.A. in Education and over 30 years of cooking and baking, I want to teach YOU the best of our family recipes.

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TW
4 years ago

5 stars
We have a monthly dinner club, and quite honestly, we could skip the dinner because the appetizers are ALWAYS the biggest hit! This was no exception! I skipped the pecans due to a nut allergy of one of my guests, but it only took a moment for someone to start smearing this deliciousness on a black olive…..we ALL agreed that stirring a can of chopped black (or green….we tried those too) olives into the mix, made it all the more amazing. Recipe is great as is, but next till will add the black olives as well!

Teresa
4 years ago

Could you roll it in Panko Italian bread crumbs instead of the nuts?

Brenda
8 months ago

Hi. I’m thinking of making this into small, individual cheese balls sticking a cracker or two in each for our annual appetizer night. Does anyone have an idea on approximately how many I could get out of about 1-1 1/2 size? Thank you.

Carrie Peck
4 years ago

5 stars
Thanks for the recipe. I made it into one small cheese ball and a bigger one. I made it look like a turkey for Thanksgiving. I added cut up olives for the eyes and carrots and celery for the feathers, neck and feet. I didn’t do nuts because we had someone that was allergic to them. Everyone one loved it.

Barbara
5 years ago

5 stars
I added dried cranberries to add sweetness and color….AMAZING!!

Lisa
5 years ago

Sounds delicious! My son is allergic to tree nuts, including pecans. What else could I use to roll it in?

Janice
6 years ago

5 stars
I made this to take to my step-daughters for Christmas, everyone loved it.

Samantha K
9 years ago

5 stars
I love that not only does this sound easy for me to make ahead of time, but I have all the ingredients on hand (including the Town House Flatbread Crisps). Yum! #Client

Linda | Brunch with Joy
9 years ago

5 stars
Yum! This is a perfect appetizer for a big crowd.

WendyKate
9 years ago

5 stars
OMG. It’s not Christmas at our house without a cheeseball. I can remember standing on a chair in our kitchen “helping” my mom make one as a kid. Thanks for posting!