5 Cheesy Cheeseball Recipes to Celebrate National Cheeseball Day

Loaded with creamy cheese and other tasty ingredients, cheeseballs are the ultimate comfort food. On December 5th each year, cheeseball lovers celebrate National Cheeseball Day. In honor of this cheesy "holiday," I’m sharing five of our favorite National Cheeseball Day recipes to make for your celebration.

Recipe 1: Classic Herb Cheeseball

This simple cheeseball is a classic for a reason. The combination of cream cheese, cheddar, and fresh herbs creates a flavorful filling that's tangy and aromatic. Rolled in chopped nuts, it's ready to serve within minutes for any get-together.

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp dried dill
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

• In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar, parsley, garlic, dill, and pepper. Mix until fully blended.
• Shape the cheese mixture into a ball, then roll in the chopped walnuts to evenly coat.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to blend.
• Unwrap and transfer to a serving plate. Serve with crackers.

Cooking Tips

• For the best flavor, prepare the cheeseball up to 1 day in advance.
• Feel free to use other fresh herbs like chives instead of parsley.
• To make ahead, cover and refrigerate for up to 1 week.

Recipe 2: Bacon and Chive Cheeseball

Take your classic cheeseball to the next savory level with smoky bacon and oniony chives. This cheeseball is guaranteed to be the starring appetizer at any party.

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1/4 cup finely chopped chives
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon for rolling

Instructions

• In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar, crumbled bacon, chives, and paprika. Mix until fully blended.
• Shape into a ball, then roll in the extra crumbled bacon to coat evenly.
• Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
• Unwrap and transfer to a serving plate. Serve with crackers or crostini.

Tips

• For extra smokiness, use thicker-cut bacon.
• Add a teaspoon of Dijon or hot sauce for a spicy kick.
• Garnish the plate with a few extra bacon pieces.

Recipe 3: Sundried Tomato and Pesto Cheeseball

Brighten up your cheeseball with the sweet flavor of sundried tomatoes and fresh basil pesto. The colors and flavors of this filling are as vibrant as its appearance.

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 8 oz shredded parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup sundried tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup basil pesto
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds

Instructions

• In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, parmesan, sundried tomatoes, pesto, and garlic powder. Mix until fully blended.
• Shape into a ball, then roll in the sesame seeds to coat evenly.
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
• Unwrap and transfer to a serving plate. Serve with crackers or baguette slices.

Tips

• Homemade pesto adds extra flavor, but store-bought works too.
• Try different varieties of sundried tomatoes like oil-packed.
• Garnish the plate with parmesan shavings.

Recipe 4: Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pinwheels

While cheeseballs are a party staple, sometimes a more handheld appetizer is ideal. For Recipe 4, we're shaking things up with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pinwheels - a fun spin on the classic cheeseball. These pinwheels offer all the savory flavors of a cheeseball in an easily pick-up-and-eat package. Rolls of deli meat are spread with a sun-dried tomato pesto cream cheese filling, then snugly wrapped and cut into pinwheels. Bright and vibrant in appearance, these rolls deliver a big flavor in every bite. Let's get rolling with the ingredients to make this stand-out appetizer for your next gathering.

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup basil pesto
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped
• 4 slices deli ham
• 4 slices Swiss cheese
• 3 Tbsp ranch dressing

Instructions

• In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese, pesto, and sun-dried tomatoes.
• Lay out the ham slices and spread evenly with the cream cheese mixture.
• Top each with a slice of Swiss cheese.
• Starting at one end, tightly roll up each slice.
• Cut each roll into 6-8 pinwheels.
• Serve pinwheels on a platter, drizzled with ranch dressing.

Tips

• Use flavorful deli meats like salami or roast beef.
• Cut pinwheels right before serving for the best presentation.
• Ranch provides a cool accompaniment to the warm flavors.

Recipe 5: Apple Cheddar Cheeseball

While the classic cheeseball combo of cream cheese, cheddar, and herbs will never steer you wrong, there's fun to be had in putting creative twists on the traditional flavors. The recipes we've already covered put savory mix-ins like sun-dried tomatoes, bacon, and pesto at the center of the cheese blend. But sometimes a little sweetness can balance the tanginess of the cheeses in delightful ways. Recipe 5 - the Apple Cheddar Cheeseball - does just that with a grated Granny Smith adding a subtle crispness.

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 8 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 small gala or Fuji apple, grated
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 cup of chopped pecans

Instructions

• In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, grated apple, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Mix until well blended.
• Shape the mixture into a ball. Roll in the chopped pecans to coat.
• Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
• Unwrap and transfer to a serving plate. Serve with graham crackers or apple slices.

Tips

• For a spicier flavor, use pepper jack cheese.
• Add 1/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries.
• Roll the coated ball in more brown sugar for extra crunch.

Conclusion

We hope you've found the perfect cheeseball recipe to celebrate National Cheeseball Day! From classic to contemporary flavors, these melty appetizers are sure to be a hit with any guests. Whether serving a seasonal herb and nut combo or experimenting with bolder mix-ins like bacon and sun-dried tomatoes, cheeseballs are the quintessential party food. Their simple preparation belies the deeply savory and comforting flavors within each creamy blend. So grab your crackers, bread, and favorite toppings - it's time to roll out the cheeseballs and enjoy the cheesiest of holidays!