Description
This festive Christmas Taco Cheese Ball Wreath is a creamy, colorful, crowd-pleasing holiday appetizer made with seasoned cheeses, fresh herbs, and bright toppings. Perfect for parties, potlucks, and Christmas gatherings.
Ingredients
-
1 (16 oz) package cream cheese, softened
-
8 oz Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
-
1/2 packet taco seasoning
-
1 bunch fresh cilantro, stems removed
-
4 green onions, roughly chopped
-
1 (4 oz) can diced green chile peppers
-
1 medium Roma tomato, cored and diced
-
2 tbsp finely chopped white onion
-
1 medium jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
Instructions
-
Prepare the Bowl: Line a 16-ounce bowl with plastic wrap, leaving enough overhang to lift the cheese mixture out once chilled.
-
Mix the Cheese Base: In a food processor, blend softened cream cheese, shredded Monterey Jack, and taco seasoning until smooth. Add half the cilantro, green onions, and diced green chiles, then pulse a few times to leave small colorful flecks.
-
Shape the Wreath: Transfer mixture into the lined bowl, press gently to smooth, cover, and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight to firm.
-
Form the Center: Invert the cheese mold onto a serving platter, remove plastic wrap, and use a spoon or shot glass to create a center opening, shaping it into a wreath.
-
Decorate: Finely chop remaining cilantro and sprinkle on top. Mix diced tomato, white onion, and jalapeno, then arrange around the wreath for festive color and texture.
Notes
-
For a spicier wreath, leave in some jalapeno seeds.
-
Make the cheese mixture 1–2 days ahead and decorate just before serving.
-
Serve with crackers, tortilla chips, veggies, or pita crisps.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10 of wreath
- Calories: Approx. 235 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg