The cheese balls are a delicious mixture of pecan meal, bread crumbs and cheese covered in a tomato sauce and baked to perfection. Uncooked cheese balls can be frozen for later use.
Really enjoyed these ... a great change from meatballs - my family enjoyed them too. I also cooked the cheese balls in the oven to avoid deep-frying - 350 degrees for 30 min. was all that was needed. I also placed them on parchment paper so I didn't have to grease the pan either. I substituted my own spiced tomato sauce but next time I'll try the one on the recipe. Thanks Debbie! - 11 Mar 2002 (Review from Allrecipes USA and Canada)
This is similar to the Italian Cheese Ball recipe I stole from Kettering Medical Center (Kettering, Ohio) in 1980 - only they called for ground walnuts, instead of pecans. I think thre's more flavor with walnuts. Strict carnivores I know don't care for this recipe, and my kids hated it. I love this recipe, however, and so do all my veggie friends. NB: I avoid all frying, so I brown the cheese balls in the oven first - 40 min at 350°F. It makes for a lot of oven time, but cuts way down on the fat intake. - 08 Jan 2002 (Review from Allrecipes USA and Canada)
These are excellent! I am a vegetarian and couldn't ask for a more perfect snack or appetizer for a meal. They are absolutely delicious! I accidentally left out the pecans in the first time around and they were still great! I am making them again, being sure that I remember the pecans this time! A++++++ (I hardly ever give five stars) - 29 Apr 2002 (Review from Allrecipes USA and Canada)