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.