Description
A festive and flavorful Christmas Taco Cheese Ball Wreath that’s perfect for holiday gatherings. This creamy cheese ball is infused with taco seasoning, fresh cilantro, green onions, and diced green chilies, shaped into a wreath and decorated with a colorful tomato, onion, and jalapeno mixture for a vibrant, savory appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Base
- 1 (16 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 8 oz Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- 1/2 packet taco seasoning
- 1 bunch fresh cilantro, stems removed (divided)
- 4 green onions, roughly chopped (divided)
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chile peppers (divided)
Wreath Decoration
- 1 medium Roma tomato, cored and diced
- 2 tbsp finely chopped white onion
- 1 medium jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- Remaining cilantro from the bunch, finely chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Bowl: Line a 16-ounce bowl with plastic wrap, allowing the excess to hang over the edges for easy removal of the cheese ball later.
- Mix Cheese Base: In a food processor, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and taco seasoning. Blend until well combined. Add half of the cilantro, green onions, and diced green chile peppers, pulsing a few times to mix them in without fully pureeing, so you retain flecks of green for texture and visual appeal.
- Shape the Wreath: Transfer the cheese mixture into the prepared bowl, pressing it down evenly to smooth and shape it. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow the cheese ball to firm up thoroughly.
- Create the Wreath Center: Once chilled, invert the cheese ball onto a serving platter and gently remove the plastic wrap. Using a shot glass or spoon, carefully hollow out a small hole in the center to form the classic wreath shape.
- Decorate: Sprinkle the remaining finely chopped cilantro over the top of the wreath for a fresh green look. In a small bowl, mix together the diced Roma tomato, finely chopped white onion, and chopped jalapeno pepper. Arrange this mixture in a ring around the wreath, adding a bright and festive touch to your cheese ball platter.
Notes
- For best flavor, let the cheese ball chill overnight to fully meld the ingredients.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeno pepper according to your heat preference.
- Serve with tortilla chips, crackers, or sliced veggies for dipping.
- Make sure to not over-process the mixture to keep nice texture bits visible.
- This cheese ball can be made a day ahead for convenience.
