Mix all ingredients except parsley. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours. Shape mixture into 2 balls. Roll in parsley or chopped nuts.
To store, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate no longer than 2 weeks. Cheese ball coated with chopped nuts can be wrapped and frozen no longer than 4 weeks.
Thaw wrapped cheese ball in refrigerator about 24 hours before serving.
Makes two 4-inch cheese balls.