Recipes

Celebrate the Super Bowl with this Jalapeño Popper Football Cheese Ball

February 7, 2024.

By Genevieve LaMonaca

Genevieve is a former caterer and private chef who has served many of Las Vegas’s high-profile clients and companies. In 2020, she began sharing her unique recipes and engaging tutorials on social media and her website, swiftly amassing over 3 million followers on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. She has been a notable Cafe Casino collaborator since October 2022.

Get ready to elevate your snack game this Super Bowl LVIII with a show-stopping creation – the football shaped cheese ball. This culinary masterpiece, a touchdown in itself, combines the rich and creamy goodness of softened cream cheese with a medley of flavors, including sharp cheddar, chives, jalapeños and crispy bacon.

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As you prepare to indulge in this savory delight, imagine the excitement of Super Bowl 2024, set to unfold in the vibrant city of Las Vegas. The football-shaped cream cheese ball is more than just a snack; it’s a symbol of the culinary extravagance and energy that define Las Vegas, making it the perfect accompaniment to the grandeur of the Big Game.

A platter featuring a football shaped cheese ball is in the middle of a framed image, surrounded by an astroturf background.

Start by combining the softened cream cheese with grated sharp cheddar, creating a velvety base that sets the stage for the flavor explosion to come. Add finely chopped chives for a fresh and zesty kick, complemented by the heat of diced jalapeños that adds a spicy twist to every bite. The addition of crispy bacon infuses a smoky flavor, while providing the perfect crunch. This is truly the champion of best Super Bowl appetizers.

As you shape the mixture into a football, envision the anticipation building in Las Vegas for the Big Game. The city’s iconic strip transforms into a football paradise, with sports enthusiasts from around the country converging to witness the epic showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. The football-shaped cream cheese ball becomes a culinary representation of the excitement in the air, mirroring the intensity of the game itself.

Picture yourself enjoying this delectable creation amidst the electric atmosphere of Las Vegas. Whether you’re in a bustling sports bar or a chic lounge on the strip, the football-shaped cream cheese ball adds a touch of gourmet flair to the festivities. It’s not just a snack; it’s a culinary touchdown that enhances the Big Game’s experience, making it a memorable and delicious celebration of football in the iconic city of Las Vegas.

As the Super Bowl heats up on Sunday, February 11, 2024, tuck into the bold taste of my jalapeño, bacon-loaded cheese ball while you dive into the excitement at Cafe Casino. It’s the ideal blend for your gameday – a delicious snack and the thrill of Vegas at your fingertips, bringing the energy of the stadium right to your gathering. And for those who want to get in on the action on the field themselves, Gridiron Glory is the perfect game to give you a chance to score big!

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Jalapeño Popper Football Cheese Ball Recipe

Ingredients:

• 20 oz cream cheese softened
• 4 oz grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 fresh jalapeños
• 3 Tbsp chopped chives
• 1 tsp garlic salt
• 12 oz center cut bacon
• 2 slices white cheese (for decorating)

Directions:

1. Allow cream cheese to come to room temperature
2. Grate cheddar cheese and set aside
3. Remove stem and seeds of jalapeños and finely dice

Two jalapeño peppers on white dish on the left, with chopped peppers in a white bowl on the right.

4. Place bacon on a sheet pan and bake in 425 degree F oven until crispy (about 20 minutes). Allow bacon to drain on paper towels then mince into crumbles.

5. In large bowl, fully combine softened cream cheese, grated cheddar, minced jalapeño, minced chives and garlic salt.
6. Transfer cheese mixture to parchment paper and shape into a football. Once you have achieved the football shape, press bacon crumbles into the cream cheese covering the entire surface.

Grated cheddar cheese, jalapeños, and cream cheese in a bowl on the left, and molded into a football shape on the right.

7. For the football lace décor, cut white cheese slices into thin strips and place on the cheese ball.

Two slices of white cheese cut into strips to be used as the laces on the football cheese ball; on the left is the finished football cheese ball with the laces.

8. Transfer cheese ball to a platter and serve with crackers.

Tip: If making ahead of time, store cheese ball in fridge covered up to 5 days. When ready to serve, transfer to a platter then add the crackers.

Enjoy!

See more recipes from Chef Genevieve:

• Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Dates
• Sweet Potato Marshmallow Bites
• Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
• Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
• The Best Shrimp Cocktail

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