Bacon Gouda Pistachio Cheese Ball
Enjoy a Bacon Gouda Pistachio Cheese Ball, served on a charcuterie board with crackers, apples, salami, and Lindt chocolates!
The cheese ball full of smoked Gouda and rolled in yummy pistachios. In ten minutes you can make a picture-perfect ball that everybody will love.
Bacon Gouda Pistachio Cheese Ball
Add it to a charcuterie board and you’ve got a party!
You can always switch this recipe up and add almonds or pecans if you wish!
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A cheese ball is only as good as what you serve it with. So for a fun celebration, I say add Lindt chocolates, for sure. And then the usual crackers, salami, and anything salty.
This recipe is so easy, and you can make a cheese ball with a variety of cheeses. You may have already tried my Easy Feta Cheese Ball. Or try this White Cheddar Cheese Ball with Chives.
Ingredients for a cheese ball:
- Cream cheese
- Smoked Gouda cheese
- Black pepper
- Bacon crumbles
- Garlic powder
- Red pepper flakes
- Smoked Gouda (grated)
- Chopped pistachios
Crackers are classic, but that’s really just the tip of the cheese ball. :o)
All that flavorful goodness that’s rolled up inside has the potential to be spread onto many tasty snacks. Oh, and I buy these crackers at Fred Meyer (Kroger’s).
And don’t forget a sweet nosh: Add Lindt chocolates!
How to make a gouda pistachio cheese ball
- Mix cream cheese with Gouda cheese.
- Mix in the black pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes (optional).
- Form into a ball; coat with bacon.
- Place nuts in a shallow dish. Roll cheese ball in nuts to fully coat, pressing them into the ball.
- Wrap in plastic; refrigerate 2 hours. Or, if you don’t mind it being softer, you can serve right away! Place on a characuterie board with crackers or toasted baguette slices.
Best of 9
It’s the last day of the year. Every year I grab the “best of 9” from Instagram and share it on my blog.
Boards were indeed a BIG HIT. It looks like my Taco Dinner Board was the most popular!
But what catches my eye, is the toilet paper post. Little did we know back on March 13th, 2020, that toilet paper would be so important, as it was flying off the shelves, nor what the rest of the year would look like for all of us.
Recap 2020
This was a BIG year. The good and the bad, surprises and so much unknown. Blessings and sadness. There’s been disappointment beyond words for all of us. We all have our own story of 2020.
Even though it feels like forever ago, we pretty much finished our fixer upper this year (with a few small projects yet to go, like ripping out the master shower, reconfiguring the laundry area and walk-in closet). This was the place our kids were with us for eight months. Where we hunkered down, and we all dealt with the funky versions of ourselves, creating new paths, and listening to where we should go.
We’ve come so far, with healing, grace, excitement for new ventures, and most important: We always come back to “home”—the foundation of love.
Whether you’re making a “board” or warming leftovers or concocting a five-course feast—the kitchen became very important to many in 2020.
I walked and walked for miles in our great community, did puzzles, was inspired more by art and nature. I launched my own line of RE boards with my friend, Cyndi Kane (crazy but exciting), and now I’m reaping the rewards of seeing all your food art, and how you’ve loved on your families this year through creativity and food. Thank you!
I also have a BIG announcement in 2021! Stay tuned!
Goodbye, 2020!
Get the Recipe:
Bacon Gouda Pistachio Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups smoked Gouda, grated
- 10-15 grinds black pepper, use smallest setting on the grinder
- 1 Tbsp. crispy bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1/8 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes, optional
- 1 cup chopped pistachios
- 1 honey crisp apple, sliced
- 8 oz salami, made into flowers (folded in quarters)
- 10-12 cherry tomatoes
- 1 4.5 oz package 34 degree rosemary crisps
- 1 4.5 oz package 34 degree cracked pepper crisps
- 36 Lindt chocolates, in wrappers
Instructions
- Mix cream cheese with Gouda cheese. Mix in the black pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes (optional). Form into a ball; coat with bacon. Place nuts in a shallow dish. Roll cheese ball in nuts to fully coat, pressing them into the ball. Wrap in plastic; refrigerate 2 hours (optional). Serve with crackers or toasted baguette slices.
- Place the cheese ball on a small plate in the center of a round board. Around it, lay down the cherry tomatoes.
- Around the inner outside edge, lay down the Lindt chocolate pieces.
- Cut an apple in half; slice and fan each half on either side of the cheese ball.
- Fill in open areas with salami flowers (folded in quarters), and fanned out crackers!
- Serve and enjoy!
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
