Ina Garten Cheese Ball Recipe

Ina Garten Cheese Ball is made with bacon, sour cream, cream cheese, Mexican blend cheese, cheddar cheese, green onions, walnuts, Ranch seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper, and poppy seeds. This delicious and easy Cheese Ball recipe creates a perfect appetizer that takes about 20 minutes to prepare and can serve up to 10 people.

? Why You’ll Love This Cheese Ball Recipe:

• Bursting with Flavor: The combination of bacon, cheddar cheese, and Ranch seasoning creates a rich and savory taste.
• Perfect for Parties: This cheese ball is a crowd-pleaser, making it an ideal appetizer for gatherings and celebrations.
• Easy to Make: With simple steps and common ingredients, this recipe is straightforward and quick to prepare.
• Versatile Serving Options: It pairs well with crackers, bread, or veggies, offering variety for serving.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare it in advance and refrigerate it, saving time on the day of your eve

? Ina Garten Cheese Ball Ingredients

• 8 oz bacon, chopped and divided
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 16 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup Mexican blend cheese, shredded
• 1 1/4 cups cheddar cheese, shredded and divided
• 1/4 cup green onions, chopped and divided
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped and divided
• 3 Tbsp Ranch seasoning
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 1/4 tsp poppy seeds, divided

? How To Make Ina Garten Cheese Ball

1. Cook the bacon: Chop the bacon into bite-sized pieces and sauté until crispy. Set aside a quarter (2 oz) of the cooked bacon for topping.
2. Mix the cheese ball: In a bowl, combine 6 oz of the cooked bacon, sour cream, cream cheese, Mexican blend cheese, 1 cup of cheddar cheese, half of the green onions, half of the walnuts, Ranch seasoning, garlic powder, pepper, and 1 teaspoon of poppy seeds. Use a wooden spatula to mix until well blended.
3. Prepare the topping: Chop the remaining green onions, walnuts, and 1/4 cup of cheddar cheese finely for the topping. Mix these with the reserved bacon and 1/4 teaspoon of poppy seeds on a plate or shallow dish.
4. Form and coat the cheese ball: Form the cheese mixture into a ball. Roll the ball in the topping mixture to coat it evenly.
5. Serve: Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve for a firmer texture and more integrated flavors.

? Recipe Tips

• Cook the bacon until crispy: This ensures a nice texture and flavor in the cheese ball. Don’t undercook the bacon, as it can be chewy.
• Use room-temperature cream cheese: This makes it easier to mix all the ingredients together smoothly.
• Mix ingredients thoroughly: Ensure the cream cheese mixture is well-blended to avoid lumps and ensure even flavor distribution.
• Chop toppings finely: Finely chopped green onions, walnuts, and bacon for the topping help them stick better to the cheese ball.
• Refrigerate before serving: Chilling the cheese ball for at least an hour helps it firm up, making it easier to shape and enhancing the flavors.

? What To Serve With Cheese Ball?

This Cheese Ball goes well with crackers, sliced bread, fresh veggies, or pita chips. You can also serve it with fruit slices, nuts, cured meats, or breadsticks for a tasty snack.

? How To Store Cheese Ball?

• Refrigerate: Wrap the cheese ball in plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freeze: Wrap the cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. To thaw, move it to the refrigerator overnight. Before serving, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.

FAQs

Ina Garten Cheese Ball Nutrition Facts

• Calories 64
• Total Fat 5.7g
• Saturated Fat 2.2g
• Cholesterol 11mg
• Sodium 82mg
• Potassium 30mg
• Total Carbohydrate 0.8g
• Dietary Fiber 0.2g
• Sugar 0.3g
• Protein 2.7g

Try More Ina Garten Recipes:

• Ina Garten Parmesan Cheese Crisps
• Ina Garten Blue Cheese Crackers
• Ina Garten Buttermilk Blue Cheese Dressing