Smoked Gouda Cheese Ball
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A smoked Gouda cheese ball is the perfect appetizer for holiday gatherings, a wine-and-cheese party, and game-day festivities. This easy cheese ball recipe is real crowd pleaser! Here’s how to make cheese balls in a snap!
Ingredients for Cheese Ball Recipe
These are the simple ingredients for making this smoked Gouda cheese ball recipe:
- Smoked gouda cheese
- Unsalted butter
- White Zinfandel or Chardonnay
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Fresh basil
- Clove of garlic
- Slivered almonds
How to Make Cheese Balls
For making cheese balls I recommend a durable stand mixer or food processor. Today I’m using my handy Breville Sous Chef.
- Remove the cheese rind.
- Cut the cheese into 1/2-inch cubes.
- Place the squares into a food processor.
Cheese Ball Recipe
How to make cheese balls, step by step:
- Add in the butter, wine, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and pressed garlic.
- Process the mixture for 25 seconds.
- With a rubber spatula, scrape down the bowl if needed.
Best Cheese Ball Recipe
- Continue blending until smooth (approximately 15 seconds more).
- Turn off the food processor and lift the lid.
- Transfer the cheese mixture to a board.
- With clean hands, gather it together and form it into a ball.
Savory Cheese Ball Recipe
- Roll the smoked Gouda cheese ball in slivered almonds.
- Gently press the almonds into place.
Smoked Gouda Cheese Ball
- Transfer the cheese ball to a serving tray.
- This cheese ball recipe can be served and enjoyed immediately!
Easy Cheese Ball Recipe
- If a firmer consistency is desired, refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
- Serve cheese ball with a variety of crackers and sliced apples.
- Recommended wine pairing: White Zinfandel, Chardonnay, or Pinot Noir.
Holiday Cheese Ball Recipe
Looking for a unique holiday appetizer? Try this festive CHRISTMAS TREE CHEESE BALL!

Smoked Gouda Cheese Ball
- Total Time: 10 Minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This savory cheese ball recipe is easy to make! Serve your smoked Gouda cheese ball with freshly-sliced red and green apples, and a variety of rustic crackers.
Ingredients
- 1 pound smoked Gouda cheese, rind removed
- 2 – 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup dry white wine*
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1 – 1/2 tablespoons fresh basil, diced
- 1 small clove garlic, pressed
- 3/4 cup slivered almonds
Instructions
- Add the cheese, butter, wine, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and garlic to the bowl of a food processor or stand mixer. Blend ingredients until smooth. Do not over-process.
- Transfer to a cutting board. With clean hands, gather the mixture together. Form it into a ball.
- Roll cheese ball in slivered almonds. Lightly pat almonds into place.
- Serve immediately, or refrigerate for an hour or two for a firmer consistency.
Notes
I recommend White Zinfandel or Chardonnay. Another great choice: Pinot Noir.
- Prep Time: 10
CHEESE BALL RECIPE > JOIN THE CONVERSATION
What do you think about this easy cheese ball recipe? Would you enjoy serving a smoked Gouda cheese ball at your next party? Join the conversation in the comments below!
Yes! I love hearing that. That makes me so happy.
What a delicious and easy appetizer! It goes with so many things and was the hit of our party!
★★★★★
Oh my goodness, love the smoky flavor in this! And serving is with crackers AND apples is delicious.
★★★★★
I totally agree with you. These are all so good together.
Wow, this appetizer is a real show stopper! I had no idea it was so easy to make a cheese ball and I love how you broke it down with photos. Making this again for Thanksgiving!
★★★★★
Thank you so much. I always try to make everything I can easier for everyone. I hope you enjoy.
I love cheese in any form and any flavor. The sun dries tomatoes look scrumptious. You did a beautiful job on the cheese ball.
Thank you so much. You made my day with that comment.
You had me at smoked! What a great appetizer for social parties.
LOL! It’s perfect for social parties. Everyone will love it.
Okay, yum. I love cheese in general, but gouda is just so good! This looks delish and perfect for entertaining season. :)
I agree with you. Gouda is just so good.
What great flavor for a great treat! This will be perfect for the holidays and alllllll the fun gatherings to be had! Yummy!
This will be the perfect treat to bring to all the gatherings this holiday season.
A cheese ball is so important for a holiday party and this one looks really delicious. And seeing this really makes my mouth water.
I love hearing that. You will definitely have to make this, this holiday season then.
Omg yum! This cheese ball looks fantastic. I definitely want to try this recipe out.
Kasey Ma
I think you will really, really like it.
THIS sounds and looks delicious. Will definitely give this cheese ball a go next time we have a party. Great idea.
I am so glad you are going to make this for a get together. I think you will really like it.
That Cheese ball is a bomb! I would love to taste this too. For the meantime, I will copy your recipe and will try it out as well.
It really is. I hope you really like it. Its’s the hit of all the parties.
Woah, this smoked gouda cheese ball looks so good! I always struggle with what to make for an appetizer when we are invited to other peoples houses, this would be a great appetizer for me to make. It would be a crowd please for sure, thank you for the idea!
I think everyone will really like this at the party you are going to!
This smoked gouda cheese ball looks great. I would love to make this cheese ball for my next party.
★★★★★
It is and you are going to love it and it will be the hit of the party.
This looks and sounds so yummy. I think me and the hubby need a date night or to invite some friends over. This would be perfect.
That sounds like the perfect night out with the ones you love.
It’s not Christmas without a cheese ball of some sort. This smoked Gouda one looks really good.
I LOOOOVE me a cheese ball and this one sounds incredible!! Those almonds make it look soooo yummy!
Love this! So easy for holiday parties! Thanks for sharing!
Mmm cheeseball. You are speaking my language. This looks perfect for holiday entertaining.
I love cheese, and this dish looks so perfect for a holiday party appetizer. I want to try making it this year!
You had me at smoked Gouda cheese, it is my favorite kind of cheese. I will be making this soon!
Oh my goodness yes please 1001 times over! This sounds absolutely delicious – in fact I am salivating at the very thought!
I am drooling. I just love cheese balls. I’ve never tried to make one on my own and I really should. This looks incredible.
★★★★★
This looks so yummy! What a perfect appetizer for this thanksgiving.
★★★★★
It will be a huge hit with everyone coming.
This recipe would be perfect for my next family gathering. I’m a huge fan of cheese balls.
Yay! I hope its a huge hit for your family.
This looks really delicious! Love the sun-dried tomatoes in there, too.
The sun-dried tomatoes are so good and send it over the top.
It’s just not a holiday party without a good cheeseball. Love the smoked gouda flavor of this one! It’s a keeper!
★★★★★
That is so true. The smoked gouda makes it a must.
Now that looks like a great appetizer! I I am always looking for something different to serve as an appetizer. This would totally fit that bill.
This would be different and everyone will love it.
This would be ideal for our office holiday potlucks. Cheese balls are always a hit and so simple to prepare.
They are a hit at holiday parties. A must.
From now until New Years there will be many a cheese ball being made. This sounds delicious
Yes! I think you will really like these. They are so good.