Homemade Cheeseball: A Simple & Delicious 3-Ingredient Recipe

An AI rendering of a homemade cheeseball set on a tray with crackers.

In the heart of our family’s kitchen, where laughter mingles with the clatter of pots and pans, there lies a recipe that is much more than a mere combination of ingredients; it’s a tapestry of memories and a symbol of togetherness. Our beloved Cheeseball, a simple yet scrumptious creation of cream cheese, green onions, and dried beef, has been the centerpiece of many family gatherings, potlucks, and spontaneous kitchen feasts.

This recipe, passed down through generations, holds a special place in our hearts. Its origin traces back to my grandmother, a remarkable cook who believed in the power of food to bring people together. She crafted this recipe with a pinch of love and a dash of family tradition, turning simple ingredients into a dish that has been the talk of every family event.

What makes our Cheeseball truly special is its uncanny ability to spark conversations, evoke nostalgia, and create an ambiance of warmth and joy. Whether it’s spread on a cracker during a lively holiday party or enjoyed as a comforting snack on a quiet evening, its creamy texture and savory taste never fail to delight.

As you embark on making this Cheeseball, remember that it’s more than just a dish; it’s a celebration of family, a legacy of flavors, and a testament to the simple joys of homemade cooking.

Cheeseball Ingredients

Our Cheeseball, a testament to simplicity and flavor, is composed of three humble yet mighty ingredients. Each component brings its unique character to this beloved dish, creating a harmony of tastes that has captivated the hearts (and palates) of our family for years.

  • Cream Cheese: The soul of our Cheeseball, cream cheese provides a creamy and velvety base that binds the other flavors together. We use two packages, ensuring that each bite is as rich and decadent as the last. This cream cheese, soft and spreadable, lays the perfect foundation for the symphony of flavors to follow.
  • Green Onions: Adding a cup of finely chopped green onions introduces a subtle sharpness and a hint of color. Their fresh, slightly pungent taste cuts through the richness of the cream cheese, bringing a balance that is both delightful and unexpected. These little green gems, finely chopped, are like flecks of tradition sprinkled throughout our Cheeseball, reminding us of the gardens our grandparents tended with care.
  • Dried Beef: Diced into small pieces to make up a full cup, the dried beef is the final, crucial player in our recipe. It brings a savory depth, a gentle whisper of smokiness, and a satisfying texture to the Cheeseball. This ingredient, much like the enduring spirit of our family, is robust and full of character, imbuing the dish with a heartiness that has comforted and satiated many over the years.

Together, these ingredients form not just a dish, but a legacy. They represent the simplicity of our family’s approach to cooking – where less is more, and where every ingredient is given a chance to shine.

Recipe

Gather around as we delve into the art of making our family’s cherished Cheeseball. This recipe, steeped in tradition and simplicity, calls for just three key ingredients:

Step 1

Soften cream cheese to room temperature or put into stand mixer and beat with paddle attachment until soft.

Step 2

Prepare your green onions and dried beef. First, you need to wash your green onions and dried beef. Ensure that all of your green onions are free of dirt and debris before cutting them and that you rinse all of your slices of dried beef to significantly reduce the salty flavor that it would otherwise add.

Finely chop your green onions into the smallest possible strips that you can. The smaller and more uniform the cuts, the better the flavor you’re going to get in the Cheeseball.

Once you have finished chopping your green onions, dice up your dried beef and combine all three ingredients together.

Step 3

Mix all three ingredients together until they are perfectly blended, ensuring you stop to scrape the bowl as to not leave plain cream cheese at the bottom.

Step 4

Remove the mixture from the bowl and put it on plastic wrap to start forming the signature ball shape. If you want to skip this step and put the Cheeseball directly on to a plate, you can cover the mixture in aluminum foil and form a half of a ball right on the plate.

Step 5 (optional)

We’ve come to the hardest part of the recipe. Let the mixture sit in the refrigerator for 24 hours to let those flavors really take hold. If you just can’t take the waiting, you can skip this part. I suggest the first time that you don’t, though, just to know the true flavor you should expect.

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