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An overhead photo of a Football-Shaped Cheeseball with Pecans, crackers, and parsley on a platter.
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5 from 2 votes

FOOTBALL SHAPED CHEESEBALL WITH PECANS AND BACON

When it's time for the big game, win big by serving this delicious Football Shaped Cheeseball with Pecans. Victory never tasted so good!
Prep Time15 minutes
Course: appetizer cheeseball, Appetizer Dip
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 cups
Calories: 603kcal
Author: Renee Goerger

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese softened to room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish sauce
  • 6 green onions sliced (green and white parts)
  • 1 jar (2 ounces) diced pimentos drained
  • 2 packages (3 ounces each) bacon bits, divided
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 8 ounces smoked cheddar cheese shredded
  • 6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans toasted
  • 1 each mozzarella string cheese cut into thin strips
  • parsley for garnish, optional
  • crackers for serving

Instructions

  • -Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium/low until you start to smell them. Cool completely and set aside.
  • -In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or a large bowl with a hand mixer), blend the cream cheese, horseradish sauce, green onions, pimentos, 2 ounces of the bacon bits, salt, and pepper until combined.
  • -Stir in the shredded cheeses until they are well incorporated.
  • -Working with wet hands (so the cheese doesn't stick so much), shape the cheese mixture into a football-shape on a chosen platter.
  • -Combine the remaining bacon bits and the toasted pecans in a bowl and generously press them onto the football, making sure to cover the entire shape.
  • -Use a paring knife, cut small strips of the string cheese to form the football's laces.
  • -Use a chopstick or skewer to stick the ends of the string cheese into the cheese ball to "attach" and press with your fingers to cover any hole that you've just made with the skewer (this will also anchor the laces to the football).
  • -Arrange parsley around the football as garnish (optional).
  • -Wrap with plastic wrap and chill until ready to serve with crackers.

Notes

If needed the cheeseball ingredients can be made in advance and kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an air-tight container.
To make the entire football-shaped cheeseball in advance, wrap it well with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 days before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 603kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 53g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 954mg | Potassium: 281mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1203IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 754mg | Iron: 2mg