Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Ball

This fun cheese ball comes from my Great Balls of Cheese cookbook by Michelle Buffardi.  This makes for a great appetizer for football season, or any time!  It looks like a long list of ingredients, but it goes together quickly.  I hope you try it for your next party.  Doesn't it look like real pizza??

16 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided

3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup finely chopped pepperoni

1/4 cup crushed tomatoes

2 1/2 T. chopped bell pepper, any color

1 T. finely chopped onion

2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed through a garlic press

3/4 t. Italian seasoning

1/2 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs, for decorating

Pepperoni slices and black olives, for decorating

Crackers or baguette slices, for serving

Using a stand mixer or a bowl and spatula, mix together the cream cheese, 2 cups mozzarella (reserve the 1/2 cup for decorating), Parmesan, chopped pepperoni, tomatoes, 2 T. of bell pepper (reserve the 1/2 T. for decorating), onion, garlic, and Italian seasoning.  Form the mixture into a ball and loosely cover with plastic wrap.  Gently flatten the ball into a disk; refrigerate for at least 2  hours or overnight.  I actually made two disks.

Before serving, unwrap the disk and roll the edges in the breadcrumbs, pressing the middle in a bit as you roll.  Set the disk on a plate and top with the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella, pepperoni slices, the remaining bell pepper and olives.  I sprinkled a little oregano on top, too.

Serve with crackers or baguette slices.

I am sharing this with:

Make It Pretty Monday 

Share Your Cup
Full Plate
Foodie Friday
Weekend Potluck
Creative Ways

Thank you for your visit!  xo