Name: Nutty Pimiento Cheese Balls
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 2 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), softened (generous 1/4 cup); 8 ounces shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (about 2 cups); 8 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese (about 2 cups); 3 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise; 3 tablespoons drained chopped pimientos; 1 teaspoon grated onion; 0.125 teaspoon garlic powder; Pinch of salt; Pinch of freshly ground pepper; 1.5 cups finely chopped toasted pecans (see Tip)

Nutty Pimiento Cheese Balls

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1 Review

These bite-size pimiento cheese balls from Jamie and Bobby Deen are a huge hit with kids (of all ages). They're the perfect appetizer to bring to a summer picnic. Jamie and Bobby share a passion for great home-cooked food with a Southern flair with their celebrity-chef mom, Paula Deen. These brothers are following in their mom's footsteps with their own TV shows, books and website. Our favorite part of what they're up to: healthy makeovers of some of Paula's recipes! Recipe adapted from The Deen Bros. Get Fired Up, by Jamie & Bobby Deen and Melissa Clark (Ballantine Books, 2011).

EatingWell Test Kitchen

Updated on August 16, 2019

Cook Time:

30 mins

Additional Time:

30 mins

Total Time:

1 hrs

Servings:

Yield:

about 3 1/2 dozen balls

Nutrition Profile:

Diabetes Appropriate Gluten-Free Heart Healthy Low Added Sugars Low Carbohydrate Low Sodium Low-Calorie Vegetarian

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

2 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel), softened (generous 1/4 cup)
8 ounces shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (about 2 cups)
8 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese (about 2 cups)
3 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise
3 tablespoons drained chopped pimientos
1 teaspoon grated onion
⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
Pinch of salt
Pinch of freshly ground pepper
1 ½ cups finely chopped toasted pecans (see Tip)

Directions

Process cream cheese in a food processor until smooth. Add Cheddar, Monterey Jack, mayonnaise, pimientos, onion, garlic powder, salt and pepper and pulse to combine. Scrape into a bowl, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to 2 days.
Place pecans in a medium bowl. Roll the cheese mixture into 1-inch balls and coat each ball evenly with pecans.
Serve the cheese balls at room temperature or chilled.

Tips

Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 1 up to 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate the finished balls for up to 3 days.

Tip: To toast whole nuts, spread on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F, stirring once, until fragrant, 7 to 9 minutes.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

66	Calories
6g	Fat
1g	Carbs
3g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 42
Calories 66
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 0g	1%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 3g	6%
Total Fat 6g	7%
Saturated Fat 2g	12%
Cholesterol 12mg	4%
Vitamin A 145IU	3%
Vitamin C 1mg	1%
Folate 2mcg	0%
Sodium 84mg	4%
Calcium 83mg	6%
Iron 0mg	1%
Magnesium 5mg	1%
Potassium 19mg	0%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.