KIM'S SAVORY CHEESE BALL
- WineCheeseScallops
- Sep 26, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 3
If you're looking for the ultimate crowd-pleaser for your next party or get-together, look no further than Kim’s Savory Cheese Ball! This cheese ball is packed with flavor thanks to a blend of cream cheese, Colby Jack, sharp cheddar, bacon bits, and ranch seasoning, making it rich, savory, and completely irresistible. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or simply want an easy appetizer for a game day snack, this cheese ball is a guaranteed hit. Serve it with crackers or pita chips, and watch it disappear in minutes!
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Ingredient Highlight:
Cream Cheese: Cream cheese is the rich, creamy base for this recipe. Its smooth texture is perfect for spreading on crackers or chips, and it provides a mild, slightly tangy flavor that pairs well with bold ingredients like bacon and cheddar.
Ranch Seasoning: Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning adds an incredible depth of flavor, with its blend of herbs, spices, and buttermilk. It elevates this cheese ball to a new level, making every bite a burst of savory goodness.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Sharp cheddar cheese provides a strong, tangy flavor that contrasts perfectly with the mild cream cheese and Colby Jack. Grated finely, it blends into the cheese ball for extra texture and flavor, while also making up the crispy, cheesy coating.
Bacon Bits: Bacon adds smoky, salty flavor to the cheese ball, making it even more savory and indulgent. For convenience, we use soft bacon bits, which mix easily into the cheese.
Green Onions: Fresh green onions bring a bright, slightly peppery taste that balances the richness of the cheese and bacon. It adds a little crunch and freshness to each bite.
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Recipe Origin:
This recipe is inspired by Kim, who has perfected the art of cheese ball-making over the years. Cheese balls are a classic appetizer that harks back to nostalgic family gatherings and holiday spreads. This version brings a modern twist with bold flavors like ranch seasoning and bacon, but it still carries that comforting, old-school charm. The combination of cheeses, savory seasonings, and bacon makes this cheese ball the star of any party table!
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Helpful Tips:
Make It Ahead: The cheese ball can be made a day or two in advance and kept in the refrigerator, which allows the flavors to meld together even more. Just make sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap.
Softening the Cream Cheese: For smooth mixing, make sure the cream cheese is room temperature. If you're short on time, you can soften the cream cheese by microwaving it for 10-15 seconds.
Shaping the Cheese Ball: You can shape the cheese mixture into a ball directly in the bowl, or use plastic wrap to make it easier to shape. For a fun variation, try making mini cheese balls and rolling them in the coating mixture—perfect for individual servings!
Customizing the Coating: Want to switch things up? Try rolling the cheese ball in crushed nuts, like pecans or walnuts, or add chopped fresh herbs to the coating for an extra burst of flavor.
Why This Recipe is the Best:
Packed with Flavor: With ranch seasoning, sharp cheddar, and bacon bits, this cheese ball is loaded with bold, savory flavors in every bite.
Perfect Texture: The combination of creamy cheeses and crispy bacon creates the ultimate balance of smooth and crunchy textures.
Crowd-Pleasing: This cheese ball is always a hit at parties and gatherings, and it’s super easy to make ahead, so you can spend more time with your guests.
Easy to Make: Only a few simple ingredients and minimal prep time are needed to whip up this irresistible appetizer.
Customizable: You can easily switch up the flavors by using different cheeses, herbs, or seasonings to suit your taste preferences or the occasion.
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Ingredients:
2 (8 oz.) bricks cream cheese, softened to room temperature
¼ cup sour cream
1 (1 oz.) pkg Hidden Valley Original Ranch Salad Dressing & Seasoning Mix
½ tsp garlic powder
½ cup finely grated Colby Jack cheese
1 cup + 2 Tbs finely grated sharp cheddar cheese (divided)
1 (3 oz.) package soft bacon bits
¼ cup chopped green onions (divided)
Crackers or pita chips, for serving
Instructions:
Soften the Cream Cheese: Set the cream cheese out for 30-45 minutes to bring to room temperatur for easier mixing.
Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, Colby Jack cheese, 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, half of the bacon, and 2 tbsp of the green onions. Mix (or squish) the ingredients together by hand until well-combined and smooth.
Form the Cheese Ball: Using your hands and the sides of the bowl, shape the mixture into a ball. (Alternatively, you can transfer the mixture to a large piece of plastic wrap, wrap it tightly, and shape it into a ball.)
Coat the Cheese Ball: In a small bowl, mix together the remaining bacon, cheddar cheese, and green onions to create the coating. Roll the cheese ball in this mixture until evenly covered.
Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the cheese ball until ready to serve. Serve with crackers or pita chips for dipping.
We’re so excited for you to try this recipe! To make it even easier, we’ve put together a list of our favorite kitchen tools that are super helpful for this recipe. By using our affiliate links below, you’ll not only be getting top-notch products but also supporting our blog, Wine Cheese Scallops. Thank you so much for your support—happy cooking!
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Their high-quality selection never disappoints!
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