If you are looking for popular appetizer to serve at holiday gatherings, but not looking to spend a bunch of money, creating your own cheese ball is a great option. To learn more about making this party favorite at home, read on to learn how to make a cheese ball.

While traditional cheese balls contain a variety of cheeses, including cheddar cheese and cream cheese, the recipe can be adapted to include spices like cayenne pepper or meats like salmon, chipped beef or bacon to suit your particular tastes. This guide will show the ingredients and preparation method for a basic cheese ball, but feel free to add your own favorite ingredients to make the dish your own.

• 2 8-oz. packages of cream cheese, softened
• 2 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 packet of dried ranch dressing mix
• 1 cup chopped nuts, pecans or almonds work best

1. Mix the cream cheese, cheddar cheese and ranch dressing packet in a large bowl until well combined.
2. Using your hands, grab the cheese mixture from the bowl and shape it into a ball.
3. Roll the ball in the chopped nuts until well covered.
4. Wrap the ball in plastic wrap or tin foil and refrigerate for two or three hours.
5. Serve with crackers or vegetables and enjoy!

• Experiment with different cheese, including blue cheese and parmesan for different flavors.
• Add meat if desired including bacon, ham, chipped beef, salmon or sausage.
• For a lighter flavor, use twice the amount of cream cheese and omit the cheddar completely.