Bacon Bruschetta Cheese Ball

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Bacon and bruschetta get all cozy together is a fun cheese ball that is a perfect summer appetizer.

Summer is definitely here, even if the calendar says it’s a few weeks off. The tomato plants are blooming and outdoor entertaining season is upon us.

Now that there are kiddos in the mix, that means we tend to get together earlier for get togethers and scatter not too long after dinner gets off the grill.

Earlier start times mean snacks are in order. This cheese ball is a perfect make ahead starter that everyone will love.

Grab some basil from the garden and some of those fresh tomatoes that will be here soon and make this puppy ahead of time. Then just garnish and grab some crackers or sliced baguettes and you are ready to go!

Not in the mood to make a cheese ball? Just put it in a bowl and sprinkle with the bacon breadcrumbs for an even lower fuss appetizer.

I haven’t tried it yet, but I can totally see this spread in a small casserole and baked. Doesn’t that just sound lovely? It would be a gooey, cheesy, bacon-y warm cheese dip. Now I can’t wait to give that a go!

I brought this as a starter for our Memorial Day cookout at my parents’.  The family put a pretty big dent in it.

Little Dude was convinced he found the cheesy spot and put a decent crater in it himself.

I left what was leftover because I needed all of the fridge space (and calories!) for wedding dessert prep. My mom sent a text later that evening saying there was a celebration when it was discovered in the fridge! 😊

So if you would like to be the cause of the next celebration, I suggest you whip up this cheese ball.  They are always a hit!

For more cheese ball inspiration, check out these cheesy recipes:

• Cheddar Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
• Havarti Cheese Ball
• Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Ball
• Pineapple Cheese Ball

Bacon Bruschetta Cheese Ball

Servings: 24 Servings

Author: Carlee

Bacon and bruschetta get all cozy together is a fun cheese ball that is a perfect summer appetizer.

4.80 from 5 ratings

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Additional Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Equipment

• Hamilton Beach 12-Cup Food Processor

Ingredients

 

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• 2 slices bread or about 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• ½ pound crispy bacon divided
• ½ tsp garlic powder divided
• ½ cup sun dried tomatoes drained and dried
• 3 Tablespoons basil
• 16 ounces cream cheese softened
• 1 cup mozzarella
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 3 roma tomatoes
• a pinch each of red pepper flakes salt and pepper

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Instructions

 

• If using slices of bread, process them in your food processor to make crumbs or tear them into very small bits. Chop the bacon and place half of it in a skillet. Toast the bread crumbs with the bacon and 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder to get it all toasty and covered with bacon and garlic goodness.
  2 slices bread, ½ pound crispy bacon
• Finely dice the remaining bacon, sun dried tomatoes, and the basil. You can do this by hand or use a food processor.
  3 Tablespoons basil, ½ cup sun dried tomatoes
• Mix the basil, sun dried tomato mixture with the red pepper flakes, salt, pepper and the other 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder. Stir (or process) in cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan and balsamic vinegar.
  16 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, a pinch each of red pepper flakes, 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• Chop the roma tomatoes and fold into the cheese mixture.
  3 roma tomatoes
• Spoon onto a piece of plastic wrap. I like to wrap the cheese mixture and use the plastic wrap to help me shape the ball. Refrigerate for at least an hour to firm up the cheese ball.
• Roll the ball in the bacon bread crumbs. Garnish with additional chopped tomatoes and basil if desired. Serve with toasted baguette slices or crackers.

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Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 154kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 7gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 329mgSugar: 2g

Nutritional Disclaimer

“Cooking With Carlee” is not a dietitian or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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