Pumpkin-Shaped Cheeseball
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: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)
- cream cheese – forgot to put the cream cheese out to soften? No worries, I have tips on How to Soften Cream Cheese Quickly.
- vegetable cream cheese – don’t skip this, it really adds a lot of flavor.
- Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch mix – I am pretty sensitive spice and didn’t find this the least bit spicy. If you want a kick of heat, I would suggest adding some red pepper flakes.
- green onions – you could also use chives.
- red pepper – you could use a green or yellow pepper if that is your preference.
- freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese – this need to be freshly grated or it won’t stick as well to the cheeseball.
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 1/4 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 twine 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.
CRAVING MORE RECIPES?
Originally published: November 2015
Updated video & republished: October 2019
Pumpkin-Shaped Cheeseball (+Video)
Ingredients
- 8 ounce block cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
- 8 ounce tub vegetable cream cheese
- 2 Tablespoons Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch mix (or regular ranch)
- 3 green onions, sliced (green parts only – can use whites if you like)
- 1 red pepper, finely diced (save the stem)
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided use)
Instructions
- Using an electric or stand mixer, combine 8 ounce block cream cheese and 8 ounce tub vegetable cream cheese.
- Then stir in 2 Tablespoons Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch mix, 3 green onions, sliced, 1 red pepper, finely diced, and one cup shredded cheddar cheese.
- Spread out a large sheet of plastic wrap onto your work surface.
- Sprinkle about 1/4 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 (you can also use kitchen twine for this).
- 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 pre shredded kind.
- After cutting out the stem, wrap it up in a very slightly wet paper towel and place it into a ziploc bag and put it into the refrigerator. This will help keep it nice and green until you’re ready to top it before serving.
- Rubber bands or kitchen twine both work. You just need it tight enough to create the indentations.
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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.
Hi Pamela! That is absolutely brilliant – great idea!!
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 🙂
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 !!!
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.
Very creative presentation! Going to use this for my vegan version for the holidays. Thanks for sharing and your photos are excellent!
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!
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 ????
It was so easy and its so delicious and cute!! So amazed at the creativity thank you for sharing!
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.
2nd year making this for Thanksgiving snack table.
Rave reviews!
I made it for Halloween everyone loved it thanks for sharing
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!
Can you use regular saran wrap??
Sure!
I am thinking use the rubber bands to do a pumpkin shaped ice cream dessert too. Great idea !!
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
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.
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 🙂
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!
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.
I can’t wait to try this at my scarecrow painting party!!! It looks delicious and fits in perfectly with my Fall theme!
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.
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.
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!
Crushed Cheese Pringles would look amazing on the outside…adds saltiness though!
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.
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.
Thanks Linnie!! Its so easy and everyone goes nuts over it!
Yay!!! Thank so much for coming back to let me know Linnie! It really means SO much to hear!
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!!!
Love it Ashley!! Glad everyone loved it and that grill cheese sounds seriously delicious!
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.
Thanks Diane! Hope everyone enjoyed it 🙂
Thank you!! Just made this for a dinner party for tomorrow night and I can’t wait to share it with friends 🙂
Hope everyone loves it 🙂
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.
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.
Love that! Hoping everyone loves it! You will have to come back and let me know how it goes.
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!!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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! !
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.
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.
Yummy Can't wait to make this again
What an ingenious idea. Love it & can't wait to make it & bring somewhere. People will flip! Thanks!
Love this idea! Will definitely add this to my Thanksgiving recipe collection! Thank you!
Thanks Sharon, hope you enjoy it this upcoming holiday season!
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.
I JUST put this into the fridge for our thanksgiving appetizer tomorrow. Thanks for the great recipe and instructions!
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!
Great suggestion!
YUM YUM Thanks Brandie looks d-lish.
Thank you!!
Y'all are so sweet – thank you! I hope you love it as much as we all did!!
Awesome! It is so very creative and will be on our Thanksgiving table also.
How easy peasy is this!?!?!? I love that you used rubber bands to make the pumpkin shape. Brilliant and adorable!
Rubberbands – who thinks to do this. So glad they did. It will be on my Thanksgiving table. Thank you!