Shelly's Recipe

Smoky Bacon-Cheddar Cheese Ball

Category: Cheeseballs

6 hickory-smoked bacon slices
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 cups (8 oz.) freshly shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sliced green onions
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
3 ounces cream cheese, softened

Cook bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat 5 to 8 minutes or until crisp; remove bacon, and drain on paper towels, reserving 2 Tbsp. drippings in skillet. Crumble bacon. Sauté pecans in hot drippings 2 minutes. Remove from heat, and cool 10 minutes. Stir together Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, green onions, kosher salt, ground red pepper, softened cream cheese, bacon, and pecans. Shape into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap. Store in refrigerator up to 1 week.