Muffaletta Cheese Ball

 Muffaletta Cheese Ball is a bold, crowd-pleasing appetizer inspired by the famous New Orleans muffaletta sandwich. It captures the sandwich’s signature flavors—savory meats, tangy olive salad, and rich cheeses—reimagined into a creamy, shareable spread. Instead of layered bread, everything is blended into a smooth cheese base and shaped into a ball, making it perfect for parties and gatherings.

Muffaletta Cheese Ball 

The heart of a muffaletta cheese ball is its olive salad, typically made with chopped green and black olives, giardiniera, garlic, and herbs. This briny mixture is mixed with cream cheese and shredded cheeses like provolone or mozzarella, then accented with finely chopped cured meats such as salami or ham. The result is a savory, slightly tangy flavor that mirrors the classic sandwich while offering a softer, more indulgent texture.

Often rolled in extra herbs, chopped nuts, or additional olive mixture, the Muffaletta Cheese Ball is served with crackers, sliced baguette, or fresh vegetables. Like the sandwich that inspired it, this dish reflects New Orleans’ love of big flavors and communal eating—simple to prepare, rich in taste, and meant to be shared.

Ingredients

2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened

1/2 teaspoon ground mustard

1/2 teaspoon oregano

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1/2 cup shredded provolone cheese

6 slices hot capicola ham, diced

6 slices genoa salami, diced

1/3 cup olive salad

1 green onion, diced

1 cup olive salad, for coating

Sesame crackers, for serving

How To Make Muffaletta Cheese Ball

In a large bowl, add cream cheese and mix until smooth.

Add mustard, garlic, and oregano and mix until well combined.

Mix in shredded cheeses, diced meats, 1/3 cup olive salad, and green onion until evenly incorporated.

Set out a large sheet of plastic wrap and spoon mixture into the center. Wrap and form into a ball. Chill for 30-45 minutes.

Before serving, unwrap and press remaining olive salad onto the cheese ball or alternatively roll in a plate sprinkled with the remaining olive salad.

Serve with sesame crackers.