Taco Cheeseball

Bring serious game-day energy to your table with this Football Cheese Ball. My version is far

from basic; it’s a bold, creamy, bacon-loaded crowd-pleaser that will not last long.

Made with softened cream cheese, sharp cheddar, ranch, and taco seasoning, this cheese ball

packs a ton of flavor in every bite. Shape it into a football, coat it with crispy bacon for the

finishing touch. Serve with crackers, pretzels, or tortilla chips — and watch it disappear before

halftime.

Cook time: 15 minutes

Total time: 25 minutes

Yield: 8-10 servings

Ingredients:

3 packages of cream cheese, at cool room temperature

3/4 cup sharp cheddar, shredded

1.5 tablespoons ranch seasoning

1 tablespoon taco seasoning

1 package of bacon

1 jalapeno, diced

String cheese, garnish

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cook bacon for 15-20 minutes until it reaches the crispiness you’re looking for.

2. While the bacon cooks, dice the jalapeño and set it aside.

3. To a large bowl, add 3 packages of cream cheese, seasonings, and cheddar cheese to thesame bowl along with the diced jalapeño, before mixing well.

4. Shape the cheese mixture into a football.

5. Chop the cooled bacon into pieces and cover the outside of the cheese football.

6. To create the lines for the football, you’ll need 3 thin, long pieces and 8 small pieces, all uniformly the same size. Two long pieces go on each end, and one goes long ways down the middle before placing each of the 8 shorter pieces in a perpendicular fashion.

7. Place the cheese football in the middle of a charcuterie board and surround it with crackers, varying cheeses, fruits, olives, meats, and chocolates.