Name: Cheese Ball Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 1 8 oz package cream cheese (softened); 1½ tbsp dry ranch dressing and seasoning mix; 1 cup walnuts (roughly chopped)

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My family has been making this Cheese Ball Recipe for well over three decades! It is a strong tradition that we look forward to every holiday season. Best of all, it is incredibly simple, just 3 ingredients, cream cheese, walnuts, and ranch dressing mix and 5 minutes to make. Over the years we've picked up a few little tips that make the difference.

You can find this must-have appetizer in our collection of Thanksgiving recipes!

Cheese ball with ranch seasoning covered in walnuts and sitting on cutting board with crackers and fruit.

It is no exaggeration that this cheeseball recipe has been at every single holiday meal since at least 1990. We have the same menu for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and even our Easter Recipes menu has the same appetizers! For a super yummy variation, try our Hot Honey Cheeseball Recipe too!

Recipe Notes from Danielle & Misty

After making this cheese ball for more than 30 years, I can we've had plenty of opportunities to perfect it. Even though it is a simple recipe, we have learned a few little tricks that make the difference.

Use softened cream cheese. If it's too cold, it won't mix evenly and you'll end up with little pockets of cream cheese and seasoning.

Use roughly chopped walnuts. We like them chopped with a few larger pieces mixed in and just a little walnut "dust." That gives the outside a much better texture and keeps it from feeling powdery.

Get the seasoning right. There's a sweet spot with the ranch dressing mix. Too little leaves the cheese ball bland, while too much can overpower everything else. More is not always better!

I recently made this for our family's Easter potluck, and it was a hit! I love how easy it is, and it's something everyone enjoyed. I'd definitely make this again.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Darla

Ingredients for easy cheese ball

Ingredients for classic cheese ball recipe on counter

Cream cheese: For the creamiest cheese ball, use full-fat, block-style cream cheese. Tub cream cheese has added ingredients and a softer, lighter texture that doesn't work as well here. Take it out a couple of hours before making the cheese ball so it has plenty of time to soften to room temperature.
Ranch dressing mix: This is where most of the flavor comes from, so use a brand you know and love. My unsponsored opinion? Hidden Valley Ranch is the one to use. It's the brand we've used for all 30+ years, and it has been consistently reliable every time we make this recipe.
Walnuts: You can buy chopped walnuts or chop whole walnuts yourself. Either way, make sure they are fresh. Walnuts can develop an off flavor when they've been stored too long.

Helpful kitchen tools

How to make a cheese ball with three ingredients

Start by adding the softened cream cheese and ranch dressing mix to a medium bowl. Stir until the ranch is evenly mixed throughout the cream cheese and there are no pockets of seasoning left.

steps for how to form a cheese ball with plastic wrap

Lay a piece of plastic wrap on the counter, then place the chopped walnuts in the middle of the plastic. Scoop the cream cheese onto the nuts, then use the plastic wrap to form it into a ball while simultaneously rolling the outside in the walnuts.

Refrigerate for at least an hour until firm. Store for up to 5 days.

What to serve with a cheese ball

Crackers: Ritz, Wheat Thins, and Triscuits are the favorites at our house. But any cracker would be delicious.
Fresh cut veggies, including carrots, bell peppers, and cucumbers.

Cheese ball with bite missing from the middle.

Tips & Tricks

Use softened cream cheese, but not warm. If it is too soft, it won't easily form a ball or hold its shape.
Shape the ball with the plastic wrap, then wrap it tightly before refrigerating to keep it fresh.
Let the cheese ball chill for at least an hour before serving so that it is firm and holds its shape.
For extra holiday fun, form the cheese ball into shapes with large cookies cutters (we've done turkeys, Christmas trees, and snowflakes before). I would form the cream cheese into the shape, then add nuts after.

Ritz cracker with cheeseball and snack board in background

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Recipe

3 ingredient cheese ball surrounded with crackers and fruit on cutting board.

Cheese Ball Recipe

This Easy 3-Ingredient Cheese Ball Recipe is a classic snack or appetizer made with cream cheese, ranch dressing mix, and chopped walnuts. It takes just 5 minutes to make and is perfect for serving at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holiday gatherings.

5 from 9 votes

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Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5

Refrigerating Time: 1

Total Time: 1 5

Servings:

Calories: 103kcal

Author: Misty

Equipment

Ingredients

▢ 1 8 oz package cream cheese softened
▢ 1½ tablespoon dry ranch dressing and seasoning mix
▢ 1 cup walnuts roughly chopped

Instructions

In a small bowl, mix together the cream cheese and ranch dressing mix until thoroughly combined.
1 8 oz package cream cheese, 1½ tbsp dry ranch dressing and seasoning mix
Lay a sheet of plastic wrap on the counter or other hard surface. Spread the chopped walnuts in the middle of the plastic.
1 cup walnuts
Scoop the cream cheese onto the nuts. Using the plastic wrap, form the cream cheese into a tight ball, pressing the outside into the nuts.
Once evenly shaped and covered in nuts, wrap the cheese ball tightly and refrigerate for at least one hour, or up to 5 days.

Notes

Tips & Tricks

Use softened cream cheese, but not warm. If it is too soft, it won't easily form a ball or hold its shape.
Shape the ball with the plastic wrap, then wrap it tightly before refrigerating to keep it fresh.
Let the cheese ball chill for at least an hour before serving so that it is firm and holds its shape.
For extra holiday fun, form the cheese ball into shapes with large cookies cutters (we've done turkeys, Christmas trees, and snowflakes before). I would form the cream cheese into the shape, then add nuts after.

Storage:

This cheese ball will last up to 5 days in the fridge if wrapped tightly with plastic or stored in a sealed container. We do not recommend freezing it.

For A Crowd:

One of these classic cheese balls will serve about 8 people as a snack or appetizer. For my extended family of about 22 people, we typically eat 3 cheese balls at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but we also serve other appetizers alongside it.

If you do make more than one cheese ball, I highly recommend mixing each one in it’s own bowl. This will make it easier to keep the cheese balls evenly sized.