Easy Taco Cheese Ball

Taco Cheese Ball is a delicious twist on the classic cheese ball recipe. It has a slight kick from the pickled jalapeños that is tempered by the cheese. One bite, and you’ll fall in love.

Russ and I recently attended a potluck-style holiday party, and this Taco Cheese Ball was one of the dishes I brought to share. Let’s just say I didn’t have any leftovers to bring home. You’re definitely going to want to try this easy appetizer for your next party.

All it takes is seven ingredients and fifteen minutes of hands on time to have a delicious appetizer that all your guests will love. Cream cheese, Manchego cheese (or cotija), roasted red peppers, pickled jalapeños, cilantro, taco seasoning, and crushed tortilla chips are all you need. I used my homemade taco seasoning that I always have on hand, but you can also use a store-bought taco seasoning.

You still have plenty of occasions coming up that may require a fabulous appetizer. Last minute holiday party? Christmas Eve? New Year’s Eve? Super Bowl? I’ve got you covered with this totally easy Taco Cheese Ball. I know you and your friends will enjoy it as much as we did.

TACO CHEESE BALL FAQs:

Can I prep this cheese ball ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can easily prep Taco Cheese Ball a day or two ahead. Just wait to add the crushed tortilla chip coating until just before serving. Although cream cheese stays good for at least a week in the fridge, you don’t want to refrigerate the cheese ball longer than a day or two with the fresh cilantro included. I do not recommend freezing the cheese ball as freezing will change the texture of the cream cheese.

What do I serve with a Taco Cheese Ball?

I chose to serve my cheese ball with red pepper wedges, celery sticks, tortilla chips, and crackers. You could also include pita chips or toasted pita bread, pretzels or pretzel thins, toasted baguette slices, sliced cucumber, carrots, jicama—pretty much anything you like to spread cheese on.

Do I have to serve this as a cheese ball?

Nope. You could also shape the cheese mixture into a log or into mini cheese ball bites. If you choose to serve the cheese ball bites, you will need additional crushed tortilla chips and cilantro for the coating.

PREPARE TACO CHEESE BALL:

Place the cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer, or in a large bowl if using a hand mixer. You want to give the cheese a chance to soften a bit before mixing.

While the cream cheese is softening, chop your red peppers, jalapeños, and cilantro, and grate one cup of the Manchego cheese. Add all these ingredients, plus the taco seasoning, to the bowl with the cream cheese. Turn the mixer to low, and mix until the ingredients are well incorporated. You will need to stop the mixer and scrape the sides with a spatula a few times during this process.

Set a piece of plastic wrap on the counter. Scrape the cream cheese mixture into a ball shape in the bowl, then remove with your hands, and pat into a tight ball shape. Place the cheese ball on the plastic wrap, and wrap it tightly. Refrigerate for at least on hour (or overnight if prepping ahead).

Just before serving, crush the tortilla chips (about 8), and chop the cilantro. Mix the two together in a shallow bowl. Remove the cheese ball from the fridge and the plastic wrap, and roll in the crushed tortilla chips until completely coated. Place the Taco Cheese Ball on a plate with your dippables, and watch it disappear.

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RECIPE NOTES:

• Shout out—all the ingredients for the Taco Cheese Ball were purchased at Trader Joe’s.
• Yes, you can use a store-bought taco seasoning, or check out my homemade seasoning, which I always have on hand. 
• Can’t find Manchego cheese? You could also use cotija or even pepper jack.
• Prefer a classic cheese ball? Check out this Classic Cheese Ball recipe from Tastes Better from Scratch.
• I used my KitchenAid mixer to bring this recipe together in no time.

PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER:

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Easy Taco Cheese Ball

Yield: 8 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Additional Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Taco Cheese Ball is a delicious twist on the classic cheese ball recipe. It has a slight kick from the pickled jalapeños that is tempered by the cheese. One bite, and you’ll fall in love.

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Ingredients

For the cheeseball:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened slightly
• 1 cup manchego cheese
• 6 ounces roasted red peppers, diced
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons pickled jalapenos, diced
• 2 teaspoons taco seasoning

For the coating:

• 3 tablespoons tortilla chips, crushed
• 1 tablespoon cilantro, finely chopped

Instructions

1. Place the cream cheese in the bowl of a stand mixer, or in a large bowl if using a hand mixer. You want to give the cheese a chance to soften a bit before mixing.
2. While the cream cheese is softening, chop your red peppers, jalapeños, and cilantro, and grate one cup of the Manchego cheese. Add all these ingredients, plus the taco seasoning, to the bowl with the cream cheese. Turn the mixer to low, and mix until the ingredients are well incorporated. You will need to stop the mixer and scrape the sides with a spatula a few times during this process.
3. Set a piece of plastic wrap on the counter. Scrape the cream cheese mixture into a ball shape in the bowl, then remove with your hands, and pat into a tight ball shape. Place the cheese ball on the plastic wrap, and wrap it tightly. Refrigerate for at least on hour (or overnight if prepping ahead).
4. Just before serving, crush the tortilla chips (about 8), and chop the cilantro. Mix the two together in a shallow bowl. Remove the cheese ball from the fridge and the plastic wrap, and roll in the crushed tortilla chips until completely coated. Place the Taco Cheese Ball on a plate with your dippables, and watch it disappear.

Notes

Yes, you can use a store-bought taco seasoning, or check out my homemade seasoning which I always have on hand. 

Nutrition Information

Yield 8 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 245Total Fat 21gSaturated Fat 13gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 58mgSodium 295mgCarbohydrates 5gFiber 0gSugar 3gProtein 11g

Note: Nutritional information is an approximation. Different brands and/or quantities will change the nutrition profile.

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