Little heavenly bites of Goat Cheese, Bacon, and Pistachio Truffles paired with Sauvignon Blanc will elevate your next tailgating party.
Are you guys ready for The Big Football Game coming up next weekend? To be honest, I don’t care about the game when the Steelers aren’t in it, but that doesn’t stop me from watching it (mainly for the commercials) and from making football party food. Of course you can’t have a party without drinks, including wine. Wine with football food?, you ask. Why yes you can, and it makes perfect sense. I’m excited to be partnering with Gallo Family Vineyards to bring you wine pairing ideas for The Big Game. Typically at parties, there’s usually a meat and cheese tray or a cheese ball. Cheese + wine is a no brainer. Because everyone’s plates are piled high with food, I wanted small bites of cheese (mini cheese balls, if you will), which is what inspired these Goat Cheese, Bacon, and Pistachio Truffles to pair with Gallo Family Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc.
Gallo Family Vineyards is a family-owned company who has been around for 80 years and still going strong. I first tasted their wine when I attended the Food and Wine Conference over the summer as they paired their wines with our Saturday night dinner. When I was asked to pair their wine for Game Day, I said yes because I was impressed with their product and hospitality, not only with the conference but also with the Sunday Supper family in general. They even celebrated Sunday Supper’s two year anniversary with us. Plus I got a letter in the mail, welcoming me to their family.
Goat cheese was the first cheese that popped into my mind because it’s one of my favorite cheeses. Named after the use of goat’s milk, it’s a bit tangy and almost like a savory cream cheese. I added bacon because you always need bacon at parties and rolled the truffles in pistachios that added a nice (and necessary) crunch. You can eat them as is or serve on crackers.
Now that I have my recipe, which wine pairs best with goat cheese? After some research (and a handy dandy wine pairing wheel Gallo Family mailed me), I learned that Sauvignon Blanc pairs best with soft creamy cheeses like goat cheese because the acidity in the wine matches the tangy acidity in the cheese. And I can’t go into much detail, but let’s say Pennsylvania really needs to update their alcohol laws. Fortunately, I tracked down my wine and got the party started. If you’re one of the lucky people to not live in PA, you can use Gallo Family Vineyard’s store locator.
To learn more about Gallo Family Vineyards, you can follow their social media accounts: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
Goat Cheese, Bacon, and Pistachio Truffles
Yield:
18-20 mini cheese balls
Prep Time:
15 minutes
Chill Time:
30 minutes
Total Time:
45 minutes
Little heavenly bites of Goat Cheese, Bacon, and Pistachio Truffles paired with Sauvignon Blanc will elevate your next tailgating party.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces creamy goat cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup crumbled bacon (roughly 3 slices cooked bacon)
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pistachios
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together goat cheese, bacon, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Make roughly 1 inch balls with your hands or a cookie scoop.
- In a small bowl, add the pistachios. Roll each ball in the pistachios to coat then place on a plate. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
If you liked these Goat Cheese, Bacon, and Pistachio Truffles, you may also like these recipes from me:
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Gallo Family Vineyards via Sunday Supper, LLC. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author, and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Gallo Family Vineyards.
Renee says
What heavenly little bites for Game Day. Or any day as far as I’m concerned.
Carla says
An everyday treat!
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom says
Such a creative combination of flavors…and no baking involved! Delicious!
Carla says
Yup so when the oven is hogged up with chicken wings and dips, you can still snack on these truffles ;)
Katie says
Cheese, please!!! I am always one of the people standing guard over the cheese offering at a party, so these sound right up my alley! I love anything with goat cheese, and it sounds perfect to pair with the sauvignon blanc!
Carla says
Can never get enough cheese (and wine)!
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom says
Carla! Love that you made mini cheese balls?! Hello? Brilliant! and I also love watching the commercials. . I worked in advertising for about 12 years so love watching how so many companies and advertisers shell out millions and millions of dollars for :30 or :60! :P
Carla says
I’m a video producer, so I sit there and try to figure out how they were all made ;)
Liz says
SO easy, SO delicious! You’ve hit a home run with these wonderful savory truffles, Carla!
Carla says
Thanks Liz!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Goat cheese + bacon + wine = a party!
Carla says
A fun party indeed!
Shannon @VillageGirlBlog says
You are a genius! I love this combination. The wine pairing is spot on as well. Yumm-o!
Carla says
Thanks Shannon!
Family Foodie says
Oh yes please! Cheese Bacon and Pistachio rolled into one…. wow!
Carla says
Can’t beat it ;)
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Mmmm, Carla, everything is right about these! And goat cheese is one of my faves. Now you have me thinking of different combos to make more goat cheese truffles.
Carla says
Ooo I’d be interested to hear what combos you come up with!
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
OMG Carla I’m on my way over! I’ll bring more Gallo Sauvignon Blanc! ;)
Carla says
Hurry! ;)
Amy Kim (@kimchi_mom) says
Great flavor combo and it also looks so festive and pretty!
Carla says
Thanks Amy!
Susan says
I have almost everything at home to make these but I don’t think it would be safe to leave me alone with a serving of them. hmmm perhaps next time Braden and I do a cheese and meat lunch!
Carla says
These truffles may be tiny, but they are mighty dangerous when it’s just you and them ;)
DB-The Foodie Stuntman @ Crazy Foodie Stunts says
Finger food with bacon that pairs well with wine?! What’s not to like?
Carla says
Bacon, wine, and cheese – what more can you want? ;)
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
Fantastic party appetizer Carla! And perfect with Gallo’s Sauv Blanc. Steelers are my #1 team too, and then come the Niners from my adopted home, but sadly neither made it to the Super Bowl this year.
Carla says
Nope, the Steelers had quite a sad season. Hopefully next year!
Sarah Reid, RHNC (@jo_jo_ba) says
Wow… you know me and goats cheese! This sounds amazing
Carla says
Go Team Goat Cheese!
Constance Smith (@FoodieArmyWife) says
Oh yum, yum, yum! I love goat cheese and l love pistachios – what a great recipe!
Carla says
Thanks :)
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons says
As an only child who never learned to share (this isn’t really true, but that’s the stereotype), I kind of love that I could have my OWN cheeseball and not have to share with anyone. Because these look wayyyyy too good to share. I don’t pair pistachios with goat cheese enough, but it’s a great combo.
Carla says
I have an older brother and I still don’t like to share ;)
Alida says
I love these savory little truffles. The goat cheese, bacon and pistachios sounds like such a tasty combination, perfectly paired with the Sauvignon Blanc!
Carla says
Thanks Alida!
Shaina says
I love anything with goat cheese!
Carla says
Me too! My favorite cheese.
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Wow, these look amazing. These would be gobbled up at my house.
Carla says
Thanks Jennie!
Sylvia says
This is like having a gourmet snack food that takes only minutes to prepare. I love it and can’t wait to try it. I’m not much for football, but I’ll do the food and watch commercials and half-time. LOL
Carla says
A gourmet snack with protein and dairy, right?
Stacy says
Finally, a savory truffle! You are my one true hero, Carla!
Carla says
Hey somebody had to make one ;)
Marie says
Hi need to know asap, are the pistachios roasted or not. Are they salted or unsalted. Can’t wait to try this.
Carla says
The pistachios were not roasted. I recommend using unsalted so you can control the salt level especially since there’s bacon, but if you do use salted, you can taste and make adjustments to the filling.
Shawn @ IWYD says
I could see myself going to town on these! I love every ingredient in them! YUM!
Carla says
Thanks Shawn!
Anita at Hungry Couple says
Let’s see – I love goat cheese, I love bacon and I love pistachios. Pretty sure I’ll love this recipe. :)
Carla says
Check, check, and check! Sounds like you need this recipe asap.
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
Oh yum three wonderful things all in one!
Carla says
The best (savory) trio ever!
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
Why we have never thought to combine pistachos with cheese before is beyond me. These sound fantastic!
Carla says
We need to pair them together more often, no?
Justine Kaitlyn @prettyinpistachio says
Love your use of pistachios in this! I’ve done chocolate pistachio truffles in a similar method and they were so easy. The goat cheese combo sounds like an amazing combination that I will have to try out!!
Liz Darwin says
Hi Carla came across your recipe on Pinterest and I was wondering how long could I keep them in the fridge before serving.
Liz Darwin says
Hi Carla I have printed the recipe and saw where they can be made a few days ahead of time.
cheers
Ash West @ The Delightful Home says
Love goat cheese (and all things bacon!) The wine pairing looks delicious!
Mary Corbin says
How many does this receipe make?
Carla says
Thanks for pointing this out! I recently switched recipe card plugins, which didn’t properly transfer all of the information. It makes about 18-20 mini cheese balls.