This Pumpkin-Shaped Cheeseball is made with creamy, delicious, ranch-style filling covered in cheese! It's the best! Perfect for Halloween or Thanksgiving.
AN EASY BUT IMPRESSIVE APPETIZER
I don't know about y'all but I love a good cheeseball. I mean, cheese. In a ball. Need I say more? What's not to love? Cheese and crackers are a simple treat we all love. If I see a cheeseball on any food spread, I am heading straight to it. With this recipe, I knew I wanted to create a pumpkin shaped cheeseball for all those fall festivities but I didn't necessarily want pumpkin flavor. I wanted a true cheeseball.
PUMPKIN SHAPE - NOT PUMPKIN FLAVORED
This is a delicious veggie, creamy cheeseball that is perfect served with crackers or vegetable sticks. It is an absolute hit everywhere I take it. Everyone will want the recipe - trust me!
A HUGE HIT AT EVERY PARTY
You don't even have to form it into a pumpkin shape. The taste alone will make it a hit at your next gathering. It's not just cute - it is delicious! What I love most is being able to make it ahead of time. You can get it all prepped and ready to go, wrap it in plastic wrap and pop it into the fridge. Also, it's super important to use freshly grated cheese! It is stickier than the pre-shredded kind and that helps when forming the cheeseball.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED FOR PUMPKIN-SHAPED CHEESEBALL: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
- cream cheese
- vegetable cream cheese
- Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch mix
- green onions
- red pepper
- freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
HOW TO MAKE A PUMPKIN-SHAPED CHEESEBALL:
Finely chop the red pepper and green onion. You want small pieces, not big chunks. Be sure to save the stem of the red pepper. It's going to be our pumpkin stem! I just wrap the stem up in a slightly dampened paper towel and wrap that up in some Plastic wrap and put it in the fridge until I'm ready for it.
Using an electric or stand mixer, combine both cream cheeses.
Nest, stir in 2 tablespoons of Hidden Valley Ranch Spicy Ranch mix. Note: This was not spicy in this cheeseball at all. It just gave it a small kick of flavor. You can always use the Hidden Valley Original Ranch flavor for this!
Then gently stir in green onion and red pepper.
I love the orange-ish color the Spicy Ranch Mix and red pepper adds to the mixture.
Finally, stir in one cup of shredded cheddar cheese.
Spread out a large sheet of plastic wrap. Sprinkle about a ¼ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese onto the plastic wrap.
Then top with cheeseball mixture.
Take the rest of the shredded cheddar cheese and sprinkle it onto the tops and sides of the cheese ball.
I do two layers of cling wrap. It needs to be well-wrapped and wrapped tightly.
Now, time to wrap it up with rubber bands. You can also use kitchen string for this. You will need 4 large rubber bands. This is why it's important to have a tightly wrapped cheeseball with two layers. We don't want any cheeseball mix squeezing out while we're putting on the rubber bands. (Ask me how I know.) With these rubber bands, I had to double wrap each one to get those long indentations we're looking for to make the pumpkin shape. You can also use kitchen twine for this if that makes it easier for you.
Place cheeseball into the fridge for a minimum of two hours (overnight is best.) Not only do the flavors get better as it sits, but as the mixture cools, it will help it to form that pumpkin shape. When ready, cut off the rubber bands and carefully remove the cling wrap. Then add on the red pepper stem to the top. Just gently push it in there. Serve with your favorite buttery crackers.
Got leftovers? No problem. Just pop your leftover cheeseball into a tall and large Glad entree container and you'll have it ready to snack on for later!
CRAVING MORE RECIPES? GIVE THESE A TRY!
PUMPKIN-SHAPED CHEESEBALL
Ingredients
- 8 ounce block cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
- 8 ounce tub vegetable cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons Hidden Valley Ranch Spicy Ranch mix (or regular ranch)
- 3 green onions sliced
- 1 red pepper finely diced (save the stem)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese divided use
Instructions
- Using an electric or stand mixer, combine both cream cheeses.
- Then stir in 2 tablespoons of Hidden Valley Ranch Spicy Ranch mix, green onion, red pepper and one cup shredded cheddar cheese.
- Spread out a large sheet of Glad ClingWrap.
- Sprinkle about a ¼ cup of the shredded cheddar cheese onto the plastic wrap.
- Then top with cheese ball mixture.
- Take the rest of the shredded cheddar cheese and sprinkle it onto the tops and sides of the cheese ball and wrap it up well with cling wrap.
- Two layers of cling wrap work best. It needs to be well-wrapped and wrapped tightly. Now, time to wrap it up with four large and wide rubber bands.
- We don't want any cheese ball mix squeezing out while we're putting on the rubber bands. I had to double wrap each rubber band to get those long indentations we're looking for to make the pumpkin shape.
- Place cheese ball into the fridge for a minimum of two hours (overnight is best.) Not only do the flavors get better as it sits, but as the mixture cools, it will help it to form that pumpkin shape.
- When ready, cut off the rubber bands and carefully remove the cling wrap.
- Then add on the red pepper stem to the top. Just gently push it in there.
- Serve with your favorite buttery crackers.
Video
Notes
- I like to use freshly grated cheddar cheese for this. It is stickier than the bagged kind and that helps when forming the cheese ball.
Nutrition
Originally published: November 2015
Updated & republished: October 2019
Danielle
Delicious! I made this for Thanksgiving this year and everyone loved it. I put a bunch of rubber bands around my cheese ball and the creases never came out but I was able to score it with a knife and it worked out great. Thank you!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Brilliant idea with the knife! Thanks so very much Danielle - I appreciate you taking the time to come back and comment!
Joan
I'm in Canada (Ontario) and couldn't find the veggie cream cheese or spicy ranch mix. Instead of veggie cream cheese I used chive and onion, and I added 2 tsp of hot sauce. I shredded my own cheddar (old) and don't have a mixer so just brought the cream cheese to room temperature and mixed with my spatula. This is delicious! Easy to make and so much fun. Thank you for the recipe!
Marcy
Any suggestions for a substitute for the bell pepper? Thanks!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Marcy, you can just leave it out. Or to spice it up, use a jalapeño pepper. 🙂
Debbie Tilger
I took this to a Thanksgiving party and it was a huge hit, plus so delicious! I used home made ranch dressing mix because of all the nasty chemicals in the store-bought kind, and just added a couple drops of Tabasco sauce. Several people asked for the recipe. Looks amazing, too!
Nataleigh
So simple, so delicious and SO impressive looking at a party!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Yay!! Thank you so much Nataleigh!!
Erin
This is awesome! I don’t like creamcheese, any recommendation for a different type of soft cheese?
How far ahead of time could I made this for a party?
Thank you!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Erin, I am really not sure. I'm sorry! I've only ever made this with cream cheese. This can be made a day ahead of time. 🙂
Ginny
Can you make the cheese ball ahead of time and freeze it?
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Ginny, I haven't tried freezing it so I can't say for certain. It seems like you should be able to though. As long as it is wrapped really well to protect from freezer burn.
Lona
Very easy, very good and very pretty! My friends loved it on my party last weekend. Great snack. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Woo hoo!!! Thank you so very much for coming back to comment Lona!
Amy
Any way to make this if I don’t own a mixer? I have a blender and food processor. Will that be close enough?
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Amy, you could use your food processor and just pulse it together. The cheeses should be soft enough that you could mix it by hand really. 🙂
Susie
I think you are correct. I will try this next time!
SusieQ Jones
I love this recipe! I have made many times over the years. I have one question for you. Sometimes the ball seems more squishy then other times. Any tips on how I can get it to form better? I’ve tried more cheddar cheese. Any tips will be appreciated
SudieQ
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hey Susie Q! Do you mean squishy as you make it or squishy after it's cooled and setup in the fridge for a few hours? Sometimes, it is the quality of the cream cheese. Always go with Philadelphia cream cheese brand if you can. I find theirs always sets up the best in cheeseball recipes. Hope that helps and I'm thrilled you love this one!!
Susie
I did use Philadelphia cheese and it did not set well for me. My pumpkin went flat on me. Should I not use the whole container of the vegetable one next time? I used a block of sharp cheddar and shredded it myself thinking this would help solidify it also
Brandie @ The Country Cook
That's weird... Sometimes it does it and sometimes not, huh? Maybe they've changed the recipe of the veggie cream cheese on us. I would try using less of that then, maybe it's making it too soft overall.
Jincy
I made the dip for my daughter’s trunk or treat party at school. It was such a hit, everyone loved it. It was so easy to make! Thank you so much for sharing your recipe. Next time I make it, which will be soon, I will remember to take a picture!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Woo hoo!! Thank you so much Jincy!! So happy everyone enjoyed it!!
Melissa
Delicious every time I make it! I use sharp cheddar cheese and it’s adds a little tang.
kathi
This recipe is great! I took it to a school function and it was gone within 20 minutes. Everyone asked for the recipe. I also modified it for a Christmas party, making it into a tree with parsley on the outside instead of cheese and a yellow pepper star. This cheese ball is terrific!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Thank you so much Kathi! It is hands-down my favorite cheeseball recipe to make all the time. So happy you loved it!!
Pamela
This is my go to party appetizer. Everyone love it! I just wanted to share that I also shape it into a carrot and put parsley with the stems still on at the top to make it look like a carrot for Easter. Great recipe! Thanks for sharing.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Pamela! That is absolutely brilliant - great idea!!
Monique T Fullagar
I made this adorable pumpkin cheesecake for our Halloween goodie day at work and it was a HUGE hit!! This was my first time trying a recipe from Pinterest and I'm so thrilled at how great it turned out. Everyone was so amazed by the "pumpkin" shape and the stem. Love how clever you are!! I will be making this again for sure 🙂
Nance
I made this for a work luncheon! Followed recipe except use plain ranch . It was awesome! Very simple to make and delicious! Got many oooohs and compliments! Thanks so much for sharing your recipe!! I will be checking out your other recipes !!!
Ion
Found this on Pinterest. Made two of these for potluck lunches that my wife and I each had on the same day at our respective offices. They turned out fantastic, and were the hit of both parties. So simple to make, yet such a crowd pleaser. 5 stars for simplicity and for how much everyone raved about it.
Betty Morgan
Very creative presentation! Going to use this for my vegan version for the holidays. Thanks for sharing and your photos are excellent!
Donna
Every month for our staff meeting at school a different group of people make snacks. Our group was October and I searched for fun and unique ideas. This cheese ball was amazing. Not a single bite was left at the end! Also, everyone wanted the recipe ! Thanks so much and I can’t wait to try more of your recipes!
Beverly Cline
Best cheeseball ever! Did not make into pumpkin but served with spicy crackers as Thanksgiving appetizer. Everyone has left and eating the leftovers with a glass of wine. Perfection. Taking to my sisters for Christmas ????
RT
It was so easy and its so delicious and cute!! So amazed at the creativity thank you for sharing!
Kristin
I made this for a “Ladies Game Night” in October and I am making it again to have for Thanksgiving. This was a HUGE hit. So easy & delicious, everyone raves about it.
Cyndy
2nd year making this for Thanksgiving snack table.
Rave reviews!
Rochel Hernandez
I made it for Halloween everyone loved it thanks for sharing
Dawn
I made this awesome pumpkin-shaped cheese ball for two recent Autumn parties. It was a "double success" because not only was it cute and clever and looked adorable, but it actually tasted delicious too! This one is a keeper!
Ann
Can you use regular saran wrap??
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Sure!
Deborah Forand
I am thinking use the rubber bands to do a pumpkin shaped ice cream dessert too. Great idea !!
Linda
Brandie, where did you find the rubber bands, are they large one, can not seem to find the spicy ranch dressing mixture, what else can I use. New to your web site and everything looks good. Can not wait to make this for a gathering this weekend on Sunday, hope you have a chance to get back to me. Thank you
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Linda! They are just the large rubber band packs that I picked up at Walmart. You could also use kitchen twine and tie it off too (or any type of string or twine)! 🙂 Also, if you can't find the spice Ranch just use the regular.
Jennifer
I made this yesterday for my daughters birthday. It was a hit- tho I did not put in the bell pepper(not a fan). Anyway, after the party I used it on a wrap I made for lunch and it was DELICIOUS!!!! This will be a go to in the future for sure! Tho, I’m not sure I’ll make it into a pumpkin in the future 🙂
Brandie @ The Country Cook
It's so hard to describe how good something is sometimes when I write out these recipes. But this is hands-sown my favorite cheeseball! I absolutely LOVE that you used the leftover to make a wrap. Brilliant!
Carol B
How nice of you to share this recipe and how clever to use the rubber bands to shape it. Can't wait to try it. Thanks, from a new subscriber and fan.
Beth
I can't wait to try this at my scarecrow painting party!!! It looks delicious and fits in perfectly with my Fall theme!
Kathy Cipolla
I love your pumpkin shaped cheeseball and everyone who has tried it does also. I have made the pumpkin shape but have also just made a cheeseball. This has become a regular staple at my house. I almost always keep some made up in my refrigerator. This is a great high protein source for those who are increasing protein in their diet as I do.. I have put my own twist on your recipe. I double your recipe adding green bell peppers and jalapeño peppers both finally chopped in also. We really enjoy it. Thanks for the recipe.
Bonnie
I made this yesterday for Thanksgiving and it was a huge hit! The instructions were accurate and mine actually looked like yours did! In another comment someone said they used the leftovers to make a grilled ham and cheese and my sister did just that today and she said it was wonderful and now she said it's the only way to have grilled cheese 🙂 Thanks so much for a quick and easy and delicious appetizer. I can't wait to take it to the next potluck at work.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Bonnie! You are so sweet to come back and let me know how it turned out. Yippee!! And I am totally stealing that grilled cheese idea! LOL!
Barbara
Crushed Cheese Pringles would look amazing on the outside...adds saltiness though!
Dawn Astin
This is not only a wonderful idea but tastes amazing!!!! I made it for a fall baby shower that was "pumpkin-themed." BIG HIT! I couldn't find the Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch Dressing Mix so I used the regular mix and mixed a tablespoon of the bottled HVRD Spicy Dressing. It worked perfectly.
Linnie
I made this for our Halloween party yesterday and everyone LOVED it. Just barely enough to feed 36 people. No leftovers. They were scraping the plate trying to get one more bite. LOL Love your recipes. They are easy and good.
Brandie
Thanks Linnie!! Its so easy and everyone goes nuts over it!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Yay!!! Thank so much for coming back to let me know Linnie! It really means SO much to hear!
Ashley Buss
Let me first say that this is super yummy, super easy, and super cute!! Everyone at the pumpkin carving party loved it. Even though it's hard to believe, I did have some leftovers and I decided to make a hot ham and cheese sandwich in my grilled cheese maker. I just mixed it up real well, slathered it on some bread, and added ham. Mind blown!!!
Brandie
Love it Ashley!! Glad everyone loved it and that grill cheese sounds seriously delicious!
Diane
Awesome recipe! I just made it for our Cooking Club's Witches Night Out themed party. It looks fabulous and I can't wait to eat it. Thanks.
Brandie
Thanks Diane! Hope everyone enjoyed it 🙂
Liz B
Thank you!! Just made this for a dinner party for tomorrow night and I can't wait to share it with friends 🙂
Brandie
Hope everyone loves it 🙂
Marilyn Outler from Ragland, Alabama
I am making this for our annual United Methodist Conference tomorrow. I can't wait to see if it's a hit with most people. I'll come back to let you know. I am also going to take it to my family Thanksgiving this year....so I'll be able to report on it twice! Thanks for posting this recipe. You are so creative.
Melissa Adams
We are having a fall themed bridal shower for my daughter with pumpkin chili, soups and salads. This will be perfectly perfect on the buffet!! Thank you for sharing your creative genius.
Brandie
Love that! Hoping everyone loves it! You will have to come back and let me know how it goes.
Sue from Burke, VA
A friend brought this to our Bible study this morning - big hit! She always makes such creative things. I'm going out now to get the ingredients to make it for a get-together tomorrow night!!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Hi Sue! I'm in Virginia too! 🙂 I think this is one of my favorite cheeseball recipes ever. It's cute but it actually tastes good. Ha! Thank you for taking the time to leave a sweet note on here!
Pamela
Hello, the pumpkin cheese ball was a huge success at Thanksgiving dinner. They devoured it! Thanks for sharing your recipe. I'm in Canada and we don't seem to have spicy Hidden Valley Ranch dip, so I used another basic ranch dip and added 1/8th tsp of cayene. I am seriously impressed at how good this turned out!
Phyllis Herriges
So cute -- love how easy it is to make the pumpkin shape with rubber bands. Thank you for the recipe. Will whip it up this coming week for a special gathering next Sunday.
Brandie
Thanks Phyllis, it is super easy and so cute for a party! You will have to come back and let us know how well it turned out for you.
Sam G
I made this over the weekend, it was so good. I couldn't find the Spicy Ranch, so I used their Fiesta Ranch instead. Everyone raved about it. I served it with Ritz Cracker Chips and also Pretzels. Will definitely make this again.
Michele
Yours looks lovely! I would have never thought to wrap rubber bands like that to make the indention! My sister has made this cheese ball several times and I'm always amazed that it taste good...sorry sometimes prepackaged stuff doesn't IMO. But I love yours because I'm all about FALL anything! Thanks!
Cheri Neely
I will try once more, sorry if you get it 3 times - I'm new to this! I love this idea. It is adorable and very creative - perfect for our annual Thanksgiving family get together. We have a family full of artists who are going to love your ingenuity and creativity. I can't wait to make it, so I will definitely try it ahead of time. I love cheese balls, and I'll get to have the first one all to myself! !
Our Pinteresting Family
Just made this for a pumpkin themed baby shower. I only had thin rubber bands but they seem to look like they will help make the shape after all. Thanks for the recipe.
Junell
Made this for a Garden Club meeting today. BIG hit!!! Such a great conversation piece & yummy to beat. Your instructions were "spot on" and made it so easy! THX!!!! And yes everyone wanted the recipe; sent them your way.
Anonymous
Yummy Can't wait to make this again
Karen C
What an ingenious idea. Love it & can't wait to make it & bring somewhere. People will flip! Thanks!
Sharon
Love this idea! Will definitely add this to my Thanksgiving recipe collection! Thank you!
Brandie (The Country Cook)
Thanks Sharon, hope you enjoy it this upcoming holiday season!
Carrie
I had to come back and tell you how much I enjoyed the cheese ball. YUM!!!! I ate more of it instead of pumpkin pie at dessert time. Thank you so much. I'm going to print this one on paper and put it in my recipe box.
Anonymous
I JUST put this into the fridge for our thanksgiving appetizer tomorrow. Thanks for the great recipe and instructions!
Anonymous
This also makes an awesome Christmas appetizer! Just use plain cream cheese (reduced fat works great), a packet of regular ranch dressing mix (so no orangish look), red pepper and green onions (no cheddar cheese needed here). Then spread it on green tortillas, roll up, chill, and slice into 1/2 inch pieces. Looks Christmassy and tastes great!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Great suggestion!
Anonymous
YUM YUM Thanks Brandie looks d-lish.
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Thank you!!
Brandie @ The Country Cook
Y'all are so sweet - thank you! I hope you love it as much as we all did!!
Colleen Petach
Awesome! It is so very creative and will be on our Thanksgiving table also.
Haley Ahrens
How easy peasy is this!?!?!? I love that you used rubber bands to make the pumpkin shape. Brilliant and adorable!
Lynne Bartels
Rubberbands - who thinks to do this. So glad they did. It will be on my Thanksgiving table. Thank you!