This pumpkin cheese ball is creamy and decadent, perfect for fall appetizer spreads and especially Halloween or Thanksgiving celebrations!
When you walk into a party which appetizer excites you most? For me, it’s a cheese ball, hands down. Whether you attack it with raw veggies or savory crackers, the creamy decadence of a ball of cheese just can’t be beat.
As someone who much prefers pumpkin in savory things (like this to-die-for pumpkin goat cheese dip) to sweet, adding it to a cheese ball for a fall themed appetizer seemed like the perfect way to enjoy pumpkin season and create something that can easily grace your table from September all the way through Thanksgiving.
If you search for pumpkin cheese ball recipes online, you’ll find a bunch of pumpkin-shaped cheese ball recipes, but not necessarily pumpkin-flavored. I much prefer pumpkin flavor (and the associated herbs that go with it) to pumpkin shapes for a few reasons:
- I’m just not creative like that. I don’t have kids, I feel no need to be cutesy and this cheesy, pumpkin laced concoction tastes just as good in the shape of a ball as it does a pumpkin.
- I think rolling it in pumpkin seeds is actually more visually appealing than pretending cheese is an actual pumpkin.
- If you’re going to call it a pumpkin cheese ball, I feel like pumpkin should actually be in the ingredient list.
Recipe Highlights
- This pumpkin cheese ball recipe is perfect for any get together in the fall months, especially a Halloween party or Thanksgiving feast.
- It combines creamy mascarpone, cream cheese, cheddar, and pumpkin with fresh herbs for a delicious savory blend. Get any visions of pumpkin spice lattes out of your head.
- It’s super easy and simple to make ahead of time, so you can focus on other party prep.
- It also works great as a centerpiece for any fall event as an attention-grabber on the table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Cream Cheese gives the creamy base for the cheese ball for that smooth texture and so you can shape it easily.
- White Cheddar Cheese is sharp, tangy and complements the creaminess of cream cheese for a nice savory bite.
- Mascarpone is the secret ingredient for a decadent cheese ball. It’s mildly flavored and adds a touch of low-key sweetness.
- Pumpkin Puree infuses the cheese ball with a subtle pumpkin flavor and adds to the festive theme with it’s gorgeous orange color.
- Fresh sage adds an earthy, fall-like flavor.
- Fresh rosemary offers a fragrant, pine-like flavor that complements sage wonderfully.
- Salt and pepper: Brings out the flavors in the cheeses.
- Pumpkin seeds (pepitas) add a crunchy texture and nutty flavor to the outside of the cheese ball and make it visually stunning.
How To Make This Pumpkin Cheese Ball
To create this festive appetizer, start by adding the cream cheese, cheddar, mascarpone and pumpkin puree into the bowl of a stand mixer. Use the paddle attachment and mix on low-medium speed until well combined. Add chopped sage, rosemary, salt and pepper to the cream cheese mixture, and give it another mix until everything is well incorporated. Alternatively, you can do this in a large bowl with a handheld mixer or simply a spatula and some elbow grease.
Next, scoop the mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap and shape it into a rough ball. Wrap it up and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm it up.
Once chilled, take the ball out and reshape it as needed. It should be easier to do so now that the cheeses have hardened.
Now for the fun part – roll the ball in a mix of pumpkin seeds and extra herbs, pressing gently so they stick and filling in any bare spots with your fingers.
My Pro Tips
Expert Tips and Recipe Variations
Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your cream cheese and mascarpone are at room temperature before mixing. This helps achieve a smoother texture and easier blending.
Use Different Herbs: Experiment with different herbs like chopped green onions for alternative flavor options.
Spice it Up: Add a pinch of garlic powder or a dash of cayenne pepper to the cheese mixture for a subtle kick that complements the creamy pumpkin flavor.
Vegetable Mix-ins: For a twist, incorporate finely chopped veggies such as red pepper or green onions into the cheese mixture before shaping.
What’s the easiest way to shape the cheeseball?
The easiest way to shape the cheese ball is to reshape it after it sets a bit in the refrigerator. Once the cheese harden, you will be able to roll it more smoothly into the perfect ball shape.
If you want to create a pumpkin shape, the easiest way is to use some kitchen twine or rubber bands and start where the pumpkin stem would be on top and press into the ball along the sides. You can top the pumpkin with a bell pepper stem or use a broccoli stalk.
What other toppings can I use?
You can swap out the pepitas for other options and roll the cheese ball in herbs, crushed nuts, or even crispy bacon bits for a different approach.
What should I serve the cheese ball with?
This cheese ball makes a great addition to any appetizer or charcuterie spread. Serve it with crackers, pita chips, tortilla chips, pretzels, or raw veggies such as sliced peppers, broccoli, celery or jicama.
How long can I store the pumpkin cheese ball?
The great thing about this recipe is that it can be prepped well ahead of time and stored for some time after it’s made as long as it’s kept in the fridge. The cheese ball will last for a 1-2 weeks in refrigerated storage. An air-tight container is best or, at least tightly wrap it in plastic.
Enjoy More Pumpkin Recipes Like This:
This pumpkin ricotta dip is a fun sweet variation on a pumpkin appetizer or dessert. Serve it with graham crackers, fresh fruit or cookies and watch it be devoured by the adults while the kids enjoy chocolate covered apples.
If you prefer savory pumpkin options like me, you can’t go wrong with pumpkin hummus in the fall. Flavored with rosemary, it’s so easy to make yourself and another winner for any party spread.
It may not be pumpkin, but this butternut squash goat cheese dip is irresistible. Served warm with a tart cherry or cranberry compote on top, you’ll easily eat an entire sleeve of crackers attacking this recipe!
Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 4 ounces grated white cheddar cheese
- 2 ounces marscapone
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped sage, plus more for rolling
- 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary, plus more for rolling
- salt and pepper
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, pepitas
Instructions
- Combine the cheeses and pumpkin in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.
- Mix on medium speed until well combined.
- Add the herbs, salt and pepper and mix again until combined.
- Transfer the cheese mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap and shape into a ball as best you can. Wrap up the cheese and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Remove from refrigerator and reshape into a ball again. Now that the cheeses are hardened a bit it should be easier to shape.
- Place the pumpkin seeds and extra herbs on a plate. Roll the ball of cheese in the mixture and gently press down so that the seeds and herbs stick to the outside of the cheese ball.
- Keep wrapped in plastic and refrigerated until serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
This looks amazing! Is there any way around using cream cheese?
If you like goat cheese, you could prob sub that. I would probably do 4-6 ounces of goat cheese and 2-4 ounces more mascarpone though since goat cheese has a much stronger flavor than cream cheese.
I would love to serve this cheese ball for Friendsgiving…what type of crackers did you serve with it? Almost looks like gingersnaps?
Oh gosh, forgot the brand these crackers were but they weren’t gingersnaps, they were savory (just looked like a cookie!). Honestly, any cracker will do! Veggie sticks would be good too :)
we have a lot of renters in our neighborhood so I am with you about not giving out candy! I got sick of the mean kids who demanded candy even though they were too old. Not cool about the driveway!! UGH! I like to celebrate with friends and family, wathcing football and enjoying good food! Like this cheeseball!! FUN! I love the pepitas on the outside! I save the candy for my kid’s classes and thier lunchboxes! Or a midnight snack for me when I remove all the milky ways from their bags first.
cheese balls are the best appetizers, i love that this one includes pumpkin! yum :)
This cheese ball sounds so good and looks beautiful — perfect for a fall party.