This Pepperoni Pizza Football Cheese Ball is my new favorite thing! Super easy to make and a total showstopper! Make this for your next game day celebration and watch the crowd go wild!
Love easy appetizers? Try these Stuffed Mushrooms, Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels and Veggie Pizza!
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I had to get this post up today before we leave for Disneyland tomorrow….cause I know you’re going to want to make this on Sunday! I’ve had this idea rolling around in my head for MONTHS and I finally took the time to put it all together this week. It’s one of those rare times that the finished product looks exactly like what I envisioned it would. And it tastes even better.
I whipped together the cheese ball a few days ago and then sat down today, watched an episode of Scandal and got all those mini pepperoni slices on the outside. What I really should have been doing was packing, but I love you guys. And I want you to make this because man oh man is it GOOD.
What’d I put in this cheese ball you ask? Love. Love and lots of cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, green onions, pimientos, bacon bits, Italian seasoning, green onion, and, of course, pepperoni.
After I blended all the ingredients together, I lined a small bowl with plastic wrap and then scooped the mixture onto the plastic wrap. I covered the entire cheese ball with plastic wrap and then transferred it to a flat surface. That’s where I shaped it into a football. Or an oval. Or whatever. It doesn’t have to be perfect as you can see 🙂
Off to the fridge for a few hours to chill and then it’s time to watch Scandal and put on the pepperoni. If you aren’t watching TV at the same time, this should take about 5 minutes. Do as you must.
I finished off the football look with some mozzarella cheese for the laces. Easy peasy.
Serve the cheese ball with pretzel, bread sticks, crackers, veggies, whatever you have on hand. I tried them all and they were all good. The flavor of the cheese ball is just off the chain. The longer the cheese ball sits in the fridge the more those flavors will marry so if you’ve got the time – use it. Touchdown!
More Appetizers You’ll Love
- Air Fryer Pickles
- Pizza Dip
- Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Pico de Gallo
- Lemon Pepper Wings
- Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels
- Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Charcuterie Board
- Bacon Wrapped Chicken Teriyaki Bites
- Cranberry Pecan Mini Goat Cheese Balls
How To Make Pepperoni Pizza Football Cheese Ball
Pepperoni Pizza Football Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 16 oz Challenge cream cheese softened
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 8 oz finely shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 5 oz mini pepperoni slices 2 bags - divided
- 3 green onions thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped cooked bacon
- 4 oz diced pimientos 1 jar drained and patted dry
Instructions
- Beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in the Italian seasoning, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
- Mix in half of the pepperoni slices, green onions, bacon, and pimientos.
- Line a small bowl with plastic wrap. Spoon cheese mixture into bowl. Press mixture into bowl so that it takes on the shape of the bowl. Use the ends of the plastic wrap to wrap up the cheeseball firmly. Transfer the wrapped cheese ball to a cutting board and use your hands to shape it into a football.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 48 hours.
- Remove the cheese ball from the fridge and cover with remaining pepperoni, pressing gently to adhere.
- Serve with pretzels, bread sticks, crackers, and veggies.
Nutrition
More cheese balls you need to try!
Mint Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball
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For all dessert recipes, go HERE.
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Have a great day!
Glenn says
2 questions.
1. Can I make the cheese a night before? Then add the pepperoni and such the next day?
2. This seems like it would be small. I’m brining for tomorrow’s game and we have about 15 adults. Wondering if I should just double the recipe? Make 2 little footballs?
Thanks for the help
Glenn
Bill says
How do u get the pepperoni to stay on the cheeseball? Mine kept falling off.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Your cheese ball should be sticky enough for the pepperoni to stick…. If it isn’t, let it sit out for 10 minutes and then stick them on.
Bill says
Thanks Trish!
Elizabeth M says
You don’t mention cooking the bacon. Do you just use it raw?
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yup, raw. Kidding! I kind of assumed that no one would put raw bacon in their cheese ball lol! Just updated the recipe to reflect the fact that only COOKED bacon should be used. Thanks!
Kathy says
I made this for last week’s Super Bowl, and everyone LOVED it, even the picky eaters! This recipe is definitely “a keeper” for my recipe box.
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That’s awesome Kathy! Thank you!
Japanese Dog Breeds List says
Yum, this looks good!!
Shanna Sorenson says
Too cute I love cheese balls Makes me want to do a football theme party again for my kiddos!
Me says
So delicious so so delicious I can’t wait to make it
Lauren Mott says
This is in the fridge chilling as we speak! Hope mine looks as good as yours!
Tally says
Made it last Sunday and everyone loved it!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Yay! Thanks for letting me know!
Johnny says
That is truly disgusting.
Anti-Johnny says
Save it for Deadspin, jerkwad.
Evelyn dobbs says
Thank you….gonna make this for our super bowl party
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
That’s awesome Evelyn! Enjoy!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
This is seriously such a fun cheeseball! Perfect game day food!!!!! Love it!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
Thanks so much Jocelyn!
Darlene @ Dip Recipe Creations says
Such a cute idea! Pinned
Darlene @ Dip Recipe Creations says
Oh, and I totally love the mini pepperonis. Aren’t those just the greatest thing?
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I cannot get over this!! EPIC!
Amy @Very Culinary says
That. Is. Epic. !!