Cheese Ball Recipes | Taste of Home (2024)

FAQs

What are the best crackers to serve with a cheese ball? ›

The U.S. Department of Health doesn't recommend keeping any perishable food sitting out of the fridge for more than two hours — and that's certainly the case for soft cheeses, like cottage or cream cheese, brie, or fresh mozzarella.

Cheese balls are traditionally made with two kinds of cheese – cream cheese (or another soft cheese like quark cheese, mascarpone or ricotta) and a grated semi-soft or semi-firm cheese like cheddar, colby cheese, monterey jack cheese, or muenster.

Fruit and cheese make a wonderful match. Something firm, like pear or apple slices, allows for easy spreading and dipping. Pears are especially nice with a blue cheese ball, while apples pair well with cheddar.

Storing in Fridge: If you start with fresh ingredients, you can store the cheese ball in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Cover any leftovers with plastic wrap and store in an airtight container. How to Freeze: I prefer a freshly made cheese ball, BUT you can freeze cheese balls.

Your cheese ball is too runny: Once you have added all the extras, and it's all mixed in well, if the texture is more salad dressing-like than something you might spread on a bagel, you can tighten it up easily by adding unsalted butter, one tablespoon at a time, mixing before you add more.

Storing: A cheese ball should be stored in the refrigerator and will stay fresh for several days or up to 2 weeks depending on the freshness of your ingredients. To estimate how long your cheese ball will stay fresh, first notice the expiration date on the ingredients you are using.

When making cheese balls, not all cheeses are created equal. It's best to skip those very firm cheeses that require grating, like Parmesan, or others with dry, crumbly texture, like cotija. Because of their texture, these types of cheese don't blend as well to yield a smooth cheese ball.

Signs of spoilage include an unpleasant odor, visible signs of mold and an unappetizing taste. Once your cheese ball goes bad, discard it. Although you can sometimes cut the moldy bits off hard cheeses, you can't do that with cheese balls.

What is a cheese ball slang? ›

plural cheeseballs. chiefly US, informal. : a person who lacks style or good taste : a cheesy person. The other person of interest is … in his mid-30s, works in New York's fashion industry, and considers his looks a hobby.

Peptides with opioid characteristics called casomorphins are released by casein during the digestion of cheese. Sensation of reward and pleasure can be elicited by casomorphins binding to opioid receptors in the brain.

A cheese ball is classic party food that always hits guests. They are easy to make and can be customized to your taste with different cheeses and toppings. Cheese balls are also relatively healthy, as they are made with natural ingredients and do not contain any preservatives or artificial flavors.

Hard cheeses are best with spreadable foods like jam, while soft cheeses go great with crunchy nuts and crackers. The consistency of the cheese is another important factor. Cracker cuts are great to grab and easier for guests than soft, spreadable cheeses.

Cheese balls freeze quite well. Again, it's best to wrap the cheese ball in one layer of plastic wrap, then one layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to four weeks. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

Remember, to avoid flavor clashes, the stronger the cheese the milder the cracker, and vice versa! Here are some of my favorites: Aged cheeses (like Parmigiano Reggiano, Gouda, and Manchego) → Multigrain and/or whole wheat crackers, seeded crackers, flatbreads, olive oil crackers.

For healthier options, use wholegrain crackers, but check that the label says “100% wholegrain” or that whole grains are the first ingredient. These are usually high in fibre, which is beneficial for digestion and feeling fuller for longer. Rice crackers and crispbreads are another good option as they are low in fat.