By Early November. Week eight. We won, thirty to fourteen, and clinched the conference title for the second straight year. The locker room celebration was muted. The kids and the staff understand that the conference title is a paper thing. The state final is the actual goal.
The brisket I had been smoking since two a.m. The tailgate was big. The booster moms brought the rest. The boys ate. The fans ate. The win was the win. The road bends. Feed your people. The game is won at the table.
The brisket was the centerpiece, but a tailgate that size needs anchors — things people can graze on before the main cut is ready to come off the smoker. The booster moms had it figured out, and in the years since, this 3 In 1 Cheese Ball has become my go-to contribution when I’m not the one running the pit. Three flavors on one tray means nobody goes without, and on a morning that starts at two a.m., anything you can prep the night before is a gift. Feed your people before the game, and the game takes care of itself.
3 In 1 Cheese Ball
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 0 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes + 2 hours chilling | Servings: 24
Ingredients
- 3 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Coating 1 — Smoky Pecan: 3/4 cup finely chopped toasted pecans + 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Coating 2 — Herb & Bacon: 1/2 cup crumbled cooked bacon + 1/4 cup fresh chives, finely chopped
- Coating 3 — Everything Bagel: 3/4 cup everything bagel seasoning
- Crackers, sliced baguette, and fresh vegetables for serving
Instructions
- Make the base. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add shredded cheddar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until fully combined.
- Divide the mixture. Split the cheese mixture evenly into three equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball with your hands, using plastic wrap to help shape them if needed.
- Coat each ball. Spread each coating mixture on a flat plate. Roll one cheese ball through the smoky pecan coating, pressing gently so the coating adheres on all sides. Repeat with the bacon-chive coating for the second ball and the everything bagel seasoning for the third.
- Chill. Wrap each coated cheese ball individually in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, until firm.
- Serve. Remove from the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving. Arrange all three on a large board or platter alongside crackers, sliced baguette, and vegetables. Label each so guests know which is which.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 165 | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15g | Carbs: 3g | Fiber: 0g | Sodium: 230mg