Enjoy a Bacon Gouda Pistachio Cheese Ball, served on a charcuterie board with crackers, apples, salami, and Lindt chocolates!

lady holding a round charcuterie board with a cheese ball incenter

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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! 

[If you want more info of my blue light CADDIS Bixby glasses, shop here. Affiliate link]

The Big Board with Bacon Gouda Pistachio Cheese Ball

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.

Bacon Gouda Pistachio Cheese Ball on a plate

Ingredients for a cheese ball:

  • Cream cheese
  • Smoked Gouda cheese
  • Black pepper
  • Bacon crumbles
  • Garlic powder
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Smoked Gouda (grated)
  • Chopped pistachios

a board with Bacon Gouda Pistachio Cheese Ball in the center

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!

Bacon Gouda Pistachio Cheese Ball on a small white plate

How to make a gouda pistachio cheese ball

  1. Mix cream cheese with Gouda cheese.
  2. Mix in the black pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes (optional).
  3. Form into a ball; coat with bacon.
  4. Place nuts in a shallow dish. Roll cheese ball in nuts to fully coat, pressing them into the ball.
  5. 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.

a round charcuterie board with Bacon Gouda Pistachio Cheese Ball

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!

best of 9 top instagram pictures of 2020

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.

family of 4

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!

a board with Bacon Gouda Pistachio Cheese Ball in the center
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Bacon Gouda Pistachio Cheese Ball

If you don't mind a softer cheese ball, you can make and serve it right away (no need to refrigerate).
Prep Time: 20 minutes
refrigerate: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 6
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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!
Cuisine: American
Course: Appetizer
Did you make this recipe?Tag @reluctantentertainer on Instagram and hashtag it #reluctantentertainer!

lady holding a big board with Bacon Gouda Pistachio Cheese Ball in the center