Playoff season is upon us, and honestly, I can make a mean barbecue, but when it comes to appetizers, I’m never really sure what to bring to playoff parties… chips and bean dip? A cheese ball? Maybe both? Well, here’s an option so you don’t have to decide– a Mexican Cheese Ball that combines all of your favorite aspects of a cheese ball with all of your favorite aspects of a bean dip, making one delicious, dippable cheese ball that will be the star of the big game party!
The whole recipe is beyond simple. Start by placing two softened blocks of cream cheese (so 16 ounces total), a can of refried beans (a large can will yield a stronger bean dip flavor, a small can will yield a better cheese ball texture, so go with your preference here! This recipe is very forgiving and adaptable), a can of diced tomatoes with green chiles, a packet of your favorite taco seasoning, and a cup of shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterrey jack, Colby jack, and Mexican blends all work well here).
Mix the ingredients together thoroughly– it may not look pretty, but that’s why you’re hiding it in the appearance of a cheese ball. The taste is amazing. I found a potato masher actually works best to fully mash the cream cheese and combine the ingredients, but you can use anything you’ve got to mix them well.
On a flat surface, spread out cling wrap and pour your mixture onto the wrap. Wrap it up nicely, shaping it into a ball as best as you can as you wrap it. Pop this mixture into the freezer for about 30 minutes to prevent it from spreading much, then move it to the refrigerator for a few hours– 2-3 should do the trick.
Once you’ve chilled it and it’s a little more firm, you can simply unroll it and pop it into the center of a large plate. Using the cling wrap, shape it into a better ball shape, smoothing out any rough corners. Then, pat a cup of shredded cheese onto the outside of the ball to cover it. Surround it with shredded lettuce, if you’d like, and serve it with chips!
- 2 blocks cream cheese
- 1 can refried beans (large for bean dip flavor, small for cheese ball texture)
- 1 small can diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup cheese + 1 cup cheese for outside
- Shredded lettuce (optional)
- Tortilla chips
- Mix together cream cheese, beans, tomatoes, taco seasoning, and 1 cup cheese.
- Place mixture on cling wrap and shape into a ball. Freeze for 30 minutes, then chill for 2-3 hours.
- Remove cheese ball from fridge and unwrap, placing it on a plate. Re-shape as needed.
- Pat remaining cheese on sides of cheese ball, place shredded lettuce around the sides, and serve with chips.
What team are YOU cheering for in the playoffs? Let me know in the comments below!
