Description

A festive and flavorful Christmas Taco Cheese Ball Wreath, blending creamy cream cheese and Monterey Jack with taco seasoning and fresh vegetables. This no-cook appetizer is shaped like a wreath and decorated with vibrant cilantro, jalapeno, tomato, and onion, making it a perfect and visually appealing party snack for the holiday season.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Base

1 (16 oz) package cream cheese, softened
8 oz Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
1/2 packet taco seasoning

Vegetables & Herbs

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, ensuring some extra wrap hangs over the edges to allow easy removal of the cheese ball later.
Mix Cheese Base: In a food processor, blend the softened cream cheese, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and taco seasoning until they are fully combined. Add half of the cilantro, green onions, and diced green chiles, then pulse a few times to mix them in without fully processing, leaving visible flecks of green for added texture and color.
Shape the Wreath: Transfer the cheese mixture into the lined bowl. Press down firmly to smooth out the surface and shape it into a round form. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to let the mixture firm up properly.
Create Wreath Center: After chilling, invert the cheese ball onto a serving platter and gently peel off the plastic wrap. Use a shot glass or a spoon to carve out a small hole in the center to make the classic wreath shape.
Decorate: Finely chop the remaining cilantro and sprinkle it generously over the top of the wreath. In a small bowl, combine the diced tomato, chopped white onion, and finely chopped jalapeno pepper, then arrange this colorful mixture in a ring around the wreath for a festive finishing touch.

Notes

For firmer texture, refrigerate the cheese ball overnight.
Adjust the amount of jalapeno to control spiciness according to preference.
Serve with tortilla chips or crackers for a perfect party appetizer.
You can substitute Monterey Jack with cheddar cheese for a sharper flavor.
Keep the cheese ball covered in the fridge until ready to serve to prevent drying out.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: Mexican-American

Keywords: Christmas cheese ball, taco cheese ball, holiday appetizer, cheese wreath, festive appetizer, party snack, no-cook cheese ball, Mexican style cheese ball