Party Cheese Ball – A Mid-Century Holiday Recipe Test - Mid-Century Menu (2024)

by RetroRuth | Dec 28, 2011 | Appetizers, , The BEST | 16 comments

So, here is the plan: Tom and I are going to eat a TON of vintage appetizers on New Year’s Eve.

What do you think? Good plan?

This plan has been…oh…several weeks in the making. Originally, I was going to post a vintage appetizer a week for twelve weeks, but when that plan fell through due to my crappy food-planning skills and Tom deciding that Pork Cake trumped all other plans, I decided to wing it. So, instead of twelve posts you are only going to get like…four. But one of them is going to be of our rockin’ retro New Year’s Eve table, so it will all even out*.

*No, it won’t even out. Ever.

But that’s okay. You know why? Because we have Party Cheese Ball!

See? Don’t you feel better already?

I have to admit that if I’d be lying if said I had any doubts about whether or not this cheese ball would be good. I KNOW it’s good. It’s freaking good. And it’s good every year at Christmas when my mom makes it. It’s the first thing to disappear off of her table and the last thing we stop talking about. But the magical thing about this post is that I found the recipe for it in a vintage pamphlet!

Why is this so amazing? Well, it’s amazing because for years my mom has been winging it with the recipe. It was something my grandmother made during the holiday, but never wrote down, so my mom had to roll up her sleeves and recreate the recipe from scratch. There was a lot of experiments (which we were happy to eat) before she got it close enough to satisfy her, but I think she did a darn good job. Her recreated recipe is almost exactly the same as this one I found in the Good Food Ideas from The Kraft Kitchens pamphlet from 1971. The only difference was that my mom used red and green bell peppers instead of green bell pepper and pimiento.

So, to kind of make up for the fact that I am not posting as many appetizers as originally planned, I thought I would give you one really good vintage one, one fool-proof recipe that you can add to your New Year’s Eve table this year and not be ashamed to say that it is a retro recipe.

But just wait until people try it before you tell them that it retro. Whenever I tell anyone that what they are eating was featured on the Mid-Century Menu, they slowly lower their bite and look at it suspiciously, as if they are expecting to find mid-century mold or something. Wait until they eat a couple bites and they are hooked. Then tell them.

However, even though we know this one is a winner, this just wouldn’t be the MCMenu unless I showed Tom stuffing his gourd.

Magic hands!

It’s recommended that you use two hands when eating Party Cheese Ball. It shovels in faster that way.

The Verdict: Really, really good! The cheddar kind of melts into the cream cheese and is just yummy, and the bits of green pepper and onion add a nice crispness to it. Best with Ritz crackers and is a great retro addition to a party table!

  1. Party Cheese Ball – A Mid-Century Holiday Recipe Test - Mid-Century Menu (10)

    Jen Oon December 28, 2011 at 9:22 am

    I love this! The Triscuit box used to have a recipe alot like this, but with blue cheese–I swear it is exactly the same, but subbed in that cheese instead (it was always a monster success), you are making my mouth water just thinking about these crazy cheese balls!

  2. Party Cheese Ball – A Mid-Century Holiday Recipe Test - Mid-Century Menu (11)

    RetroRuthon December 28, 2011 at 9:34 am

    Hey Jen O! Nice to hear that this recipe was kept in circulation, in any form. It’s a great one and deserves to be served forever.

    And it sounds like you are going to need to make this now! 🙂

  3. Party Cheese Ball – A Mid-Century Holiday Recipe Test - Mid-Century Menu (12)

    Eartha Kitschon December 28, 2011 at 11:24 am

    Oh yum! I’m going to make the Mister one for New Year’s Eve. His family always has the presenting of the cheeseball. Then they all stand around oohing and ahhing and then it’s game on! This might help make him feel like he’s in Kansas. 🙂

  4. Party Cheese Ball – A Mid-Century Holiday Recipe Test - Mid-Century Menu (13)

    Sara In AZon December 28, 2011 at 1:24 pm

    I am so gonna make this, Mike will go crazy for it!!!! Yay for yummy Cheese Balls! 🙂

  5. Party Cheese Ball – A Mid-Century Holiday Recipe Test - Mid-Century Menu (14)

    Eliseon December 31, 2011 at 8:05 pm

    I just made it, your post was that convincing! And the pre-chilling taste test made me want to eat multiple spoonfuls so I can’t wait for it to be balled and properly crackered.

  6. Party Cheese Ball – A Mid-Century Holiday Recipe Test - Mid-Century Menu (15)

    RetroRuthon January 3, 2012 at 6:01 pm

    Awesome, Elise! Glad to hear you liked it!

  7. Party Cheese Ball – A Mid-Century Holiday Recipe Test - Mid-Century Menu (16)

    veg-o-maticon January 4, 2012 at 4:32 pm

    It’s so weird that you made this! This is Keith’s Mom’s recipe, and I’ve been making it every Christmas since we’ve been together. It is a sad day, indeed, when we finish the cheese ball. Sadder, even, than taking down the Christmas decorations.
    But you know what we discovered on New Year’s Eve? That you can make Party Cheeseball even more awesome. How?
    Bake it.
    Seriously. I put some in a little Corningware dish and baked it at 350 for maybe 15 minutes, until it got bubbly and brownish on top. Totally awesome with Triscuits and Fritos Scoops. We couldn’t shovel it in fast enough.

  8. Party Cheese Ball – A Mid-Century Holiday Recipe Test - Mid-Century Menu (17)

    RetroRuthon January 4, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    Oh my god, Veg, you are a GOD! That is the most awesome idea I have ever heard. You bet your boots I am going to try it!

    And yes, this cheeseball might be the world’s most perfect Mid-Century Holiday food. 🙂

  9. Party Cheese Ball – A Mid-Century Holiday Recipe Test - Mid-Century Menu (18)

    Cristinaon July 20, 2013 at 10:56 pm

    Oh my god! This is my first time making home made cheese dip! I made it tonight as a snack for my husband and I and this is amazing!!! I will make this more often so delicious!! Thank you!! =)

  10. Party Cheese Ball – A Mid-Century Holiday Recipe Test - Mid-Century Menu (19)

    Narmowenon November 3, 2013 at 10:32 pm

    My family still makes a variation of this, and it’s always a hit.

    24 oz cream cheese (chilled is best)
    6 or so green onions (cut fine, white park included)
    1 jar of chipped beef, cut fine (little chunks/squares are good)
    1 tsp of accent (can leave this part out)
    enough Worcestershire sauce to turn the cheese a light brown when thoroughly mixed

    Mix by hand. Chill. Enjoy on ritz crackers. Also really good on gluten free crackers. 🙂

  11. Party Cheese Ball – A Mid-Century Holiday Recipe Test - Mid-Century Menu (20)

    Jacquieon November 4, 2013 at 2:31 pm

    I tried this at an ex-boyfriend’s house one Christmas and now I can recreate it! The one I had (prepared by true Southern women so you know it was good) was rolled in pecans which made it a little hard to eat without a spoon, but made it look so lovely. I remember her saying she would make a few before the holidays and that they would freeze well.

    Love your blog!

  12. Party Cheese Ball – A Mid-Century Holiday Recipe Test - Mid-Century Menu (21)

    Edanaon August 27, 2016 at 8:43 pm

    This is reeeeeeally close to my family’s Traditional Cheeseball Recipe. The main differences are that instead of just sharp cheddar in with the cream cheese, it’s explicitly “a mix of as many kinds of cheese as you can find”. And instead of the veggies we put in sliced green olives.

    I might try the sliced scallions from above next time though. That sounds amazing.

  13. Party Cheese Ball – A Mid-Century Holiday Recipe Test - Mid-Century Menu (22)

    Roseon December 7, 2016 at 9:47 am

    I’d love to try this, what kind of onions work best for this?

  14. Party Cheese Ball – A Mid-Century Holiday Recipe Test - Mid-Century Menu (23)

    RetroRuthon December 11, 2016 at 3:07 pm

    Any kind! My mom usually uses scallions!

  15. Party Cheese Ball – A Mid-Century Holiday Recipe Test - Mid-Century Menu (24)

    Katieon July 23, 2018 at 7:56 pm

    This brings back many memories of my teens and early marriage…cheese balls were the rage! We had several that were rolled in chopped pecans or walnuts, and one that had dried chipped beef pressed into the surface of the cheese ball. Thanks for bringing back the memories!

  16. Party Cheese Ball – A Mid-Century Holiday Recipe Test - Mid-Century Menu (25)

    The Atomic Momon December 29, 2020 at 11:44 pm

    I made a cheese ball for Christmas week. It was a hit. Everyone took a bite or 7. I used 2 boxes of cream cheese, 1 C of cheddar, 2 whole green chiles, finely chopped, 1 box of pre-cooked bacon, finely chopped, 1 C finely minced olives, 5, finely chopped green onions, and salt. So good!

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Party Cheese Ball – A Mid-Century Holiday Recipe Test - Mid-Century Menu (2024)

FAQs

Does Costco have cheeseballs? ›

Utz Cheese Balls, 35 oz | Costco.

How many cheese balls are in a cheese ball container? ›

Data says that there's usually around 1,100 cheese balls per barrel, which means you're getting each individual cheese ball for less than a cent apiece.

Why are cheeseballs so good? ›

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.

Are Utz cheese balls gluten free? ›

This product has 2 ingredients that may have gluten.

Were cheese balls discontinued? ›

Recently, Planters announced that the formerly discontinued Cheez Balls are now a permanent addition to its product line-up. To celebrate, the company is giving away 350 canisters of Cheez Powder to customers tweeting about the foods they want to pair this new topping with.

What are the ingredients in Costco cheese balls? ›

Brown Jasmine Rice, Corn Flour, Cheddar Cheese Seasoning [Sugar, Non Dairy Creamer (Glucose Syrup, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil, Sodium Caseinate, Acidity Regulator (340), Anticaking Agent (551)), Salt, Cheese Powder (Cheese Solids (Milk, Salt, Enzyme Rennet), Milk Solids, Salt, Anticaking Agent (339, 551)), Whey Protein ...

How long is a homemade cheese ball good for? ›

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.

How long can you store a homemade cheese ball? ›

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.

How long can a cheese ball sit out? ›

For the best taste and quality, cheese should not be left out for longer than two hours at room temperature. Hard cheeses can be left out longer without becoming unsafe, but the quality and taste may change.

Why are cheese balls addicting? ›

Cheese contains casomorphins , a group of opiods that traverse the blood-brain barrier where they produce a mild feeling of pleasure by binding to dopamine receptors in the brain. Craving of this sensation is a definitional element of addiction.

Why is my cheese ball hard? ›

Why is my cheese ball so hard? You want your cheese ball to be firm enough to hold its shape, but soft enough to allow for easy spreading. To achieve this consistency, the key is making sure your cream cheese is softened before preparing.

Can cheese balls go bad? ›

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.

Does Sam's Club have cheese balls? ›

Connoisseur premium cheese balls are ideal for entertaining, day or night. Serve with crackers or veggies and you've got an instant appetizer. This product is covered by the Sam's Club Member Satisfaction Guarantee. "Membership is required to complete an in-club or curbside pickup purchase at Sam's Club."

Can dogs eat Utz cheese balls? ›

Can Dogs Eat Cheese Puffs or Cheese Balls? Although eating just a couple of cheese puffs or cheese balls isn't toxic for your dog, it's not healthy either. These types of foods are filled with lactose, preservatives, fat, and lots of sodium.

Does Costco have cheese and meat platters? ›

And while we love building our own charcuterie boards, we'll never turn down a little help when it comes to entertaining. Costco has a new cheese, meat, and fruit platter that offers just that. Thanks to its gigantic size, it's the perfect platter to have on hand for just about any get-together.

Why is Costco running out of cheese? ›

Costco is apparently running low on stock of some items—including certain cheeses and olive oils—because of a shortage in shipping containers.

What cheese is recalled at Costco? ›

The initial recalls included 10 types of cheeses produced by Rizo-López: blanco suave, cotija, oaxaca, panela, queso crema, queso fresco, queso para freir, queso seco, requeson and ricotta, according to the CDC.

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