This simple cheeseball is a crowd-pleaser. It includes chopped olives, but their flavor is subtle and well balanced by the cream cheese and nuts. Even people who think they don’t like olives often enjoy this one.
This cheeseball is a family favorite — something my mom and grandmother often made for gatherings. It’s light enough to serve as an appetizer and usually disappears quickly before the main course.
For convenience, you can use reduced-fat cream cheese and still get great results. Because the cheeseball is spread on crackers, the lighter cream cheese works well and the olives and nuts help create a pleasant texture.
I roll the cheeseball in raw chopped walnuts. You can chop them with a large knife, use a mini food processor, or a small nut grinder — whatever tools you prefer.
Shape the cream cheese mixture into a ball, chill it, and serve with a variety of crackers. Vegetables are an option, but crackers are the classic choice.
Simple Cheeseball
8 or more
Pin Recipe
Leave a Review »
Ingredients
- 2 (8 ounce) blocks cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup chopped olives
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
-
Mix the softened cream cheese with the chopped olives until evenly combined. Shape the mixture into a ball, then roll it in the chopped walnuts to coat the surface.
-
Chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving. Serve with an assortment of crackers.
Did you make this recipe?
Share a photo of your cheeseball and tag your post with the appropriate hashtag. I appreciate seeing your versions and hearing how it turned out!
Nutty and cheesy — a classic and delicious combination.
Photos by Sarah Fennel.