Christmas Italian Cheese Loaf Appetizer Recipe

Introduction

This Italian Cheese Loaf is a festive and flavorful Christmas appetizer that’s sure to impress your guests. Packed with a medley of cheeses, herbs, and savory ingredients, it’s perfect for serving with crackers at holiday gatherings. Easy to prepare ahead of time, it makes entertaining stress-free and delicious.

Ingredients

• 500g (1 lb) cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1/2 tsp each thyme, oregano, basil, rosemary, black pepper (or 1 tsp Italian seasoning)
• 1 tsp each garlic powder, salt, red pepper/chilli flakes (adjust to taste)
• 2 cups cheddar or other cheese, freshly grated
• 280g (9 oz) roasted peppers, drained and finely chopped
• 180g (6 oz) salami, finely chopped
• 3/4 cup green olives, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup green onion, finely minced (3-4 stalks)
• 220g (7 oz) sun dried tomato strips with oil, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped (or chives)
• Rosemary sprigs for decoration
• Jatz or other crackers, for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: Spray a loaf pan with oil and line it with cling wrap, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, herbs, spices, grated cheese, roasted peppers, salami, olives, and green onion. Taste and adjust the salt if needed, considering the saltiness of your crackers.
3. Step 3: Transfer the mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Level the surface and press down to remove any air pockets; using a smaller pan will result in a taller loaf.
4. Step 4: Cover the loaf with the cling wrap overhang and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or up to one week for best flavor.
5. Step 5: When ready to serve, turn the loaf out onto a platter and gently peel off the cling wrap.
6. Step 6: Top with the sun dried tomato strips and drizzle over their oil. Garnish with finely chopped parsley and rosemary sprigs for a festive presentation.
7. Step 7: Serve the cheese loaf closer to room temperature rather than fridge cold, alongside crackers. It’s soft enough to scoop with crackers, but knives for spreading can be provided if preferred.

Tips & Variations

• Try substituting salami with chopped prosciutto or pepperoni for a different meat flavor.
• Use fresh herbs instead of dried for a brighter taste.
• Add a handful of chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for extra texture.
• If you prefer milder heat, reduce or omit the red pepper flakes.

Storage

Store the cheese loaf well wrapped in the refrigerator for up to one week. Allow it to come to room temperature before serving to enhance the flavor and texture. Leftovers can be covered and chilled again, but avoid freezing as it may affect the consistency.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this appetizer ahead of time?

Yes, this cheese loaf is perfect for preparing ahead and can be refrigerated for several days. In fact, chilling allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

What crackers pair best with this cheese loaf?

Neutral-flavored crackers like Jatz or water crackers work well to complement the rich and savory cheese loaf without overpowering it.

Christmas Italian Cheese Loaf Appetizer Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 108 reviews

• Author: Thomas
• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes (including chilling time)
• Yield: 8–10 servings 1x

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Description

This Italian Cheese Loaf is a festive and flavorful Christmas appetizer featuring a creamy blend of cream cheese, sour cream, herbs, and an assortment of savory mix-ins like roasted peppers, salami, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes. Perfectly chilled and garnished with fresh herbs, it pairs wonderfully with crackers for an easy yet elegant party starter.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cheese Mixture

• 500g (1 lb) cream cheese, softened
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp basil
• 1/2 tsp rosemary
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp red pepper/chilli flakes (adjust to taste)
• 2 cups cheddar or other cheese, freshly grated

Add-ins

• 280g (9 oz) roasted peppers, drained and finely chopped
• 180g (6 oz) salami, finely chopped
• 3/4 cup green olives, finely chopped
• 1/3 cup green onion, finely minced (3 – 4 stalks)
• 220g (7 oz) sun dried tomato strips with oil, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup parsley or chives, finely chopped

Garnish and Serving

• Rosemary sprigs (for decoration)
• Jatz or other crackers (for serving)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Pan: Spray a loaf pan with oil to prevent sticking, then line it with cling wrap, leaving an overhang for easy removal later.
2. Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, herbs (thyme, oregano, basil, rosemary, black pepper), garlic powder, salt, red pepper flakes, grated cheddar, roasted peppers, salami, green olives, and green onion. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute all ingredients. Taste and adjust salt as needed, keeping in mind the saltiness of accompanying crackers.
3. Fill the Loaf Pan: Scrape the cheese mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Level the surface and press down firmly to remove any air pockets. Note that using a smaller pan will result in a taller loaf.
4. Chill the Loaf: Cover the loaf with the cling wrap overhang and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or up to one week, to allow it to firm up and flavors to meld.
5. Unmold the Loaf: When ready to serve, turn the loaf out onto a serving platter and carefully peel off the cling wrap.
6. Garnish: Top the loaf with sun-dried tomatoes along with the oil they came in. Garnish with finely chopped parsley or chives and rosemary sprigs to create a festive appearance.
7. Serve: For best taste and texture, serve the cheese loaf closer to room temperature rather than fridge cold. Offer with Jatz or other crackers. The loaf is soft enough to scoop with crackers, but knives can be provided for smearing if desired.

Notes

• Make sure the cream cheese is properly softened for easier mixing.
• You can use Italian seasoning (1 tsp) in place of the individual herbs for convenience.
• Adjust salt according to your taste and the saltiness of the crackers you’ll serve.
• The cheese loaf can be refrigerated for up to one week, making it a great make-ahead appetizer.
• Use a smaller loaf pan for a taller cheese loaf; a larger pan will produce a flatter shape.
• Serve closer to room temperature to enhance the flavors and soften the texture.
• Substitute salami with vegetarian deli slices to make a vegetarian version.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: Italian cheese loaf, Christmas appetizer, savory cheese spread, party appetizer, no-cook cheese loaf