A Different Fiesta Cheese Ball

Total Time: 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
• 1 (1 ounce) envelope taco seasoning, divided
• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon tabasco jalapeno sauce
• 1 tablespoon seeded and diced jalapeno pepper
• 1 tablespoon diced red onion
• 1 cup seeded and diced red bell pepper
• 8 ounces shredded colby-monterey jack cheese

Recipe

• 1 preheat over to 300 degrees f.
• 2 place pecans on a small baking sheet and toast in oven for 15 to 20 minutes. remove from oven and toss with 2 tablespoons taco seasoning; set aside.
• 3 in a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, remaining taco seasoning and tabasco sauce until smooth, about 2 minutes. add jalapeno, onion, bell pepper and colby-jack cheese. stir to combine. using a rubber spatula, shape cheese into a large ball.
• 4 place a large sheet of plastic wrap on counter top, sprinkle reserved seasoned nuts over plastic. roll cheese ball in nuts, coating entire outside of ball.
• 5 bring sides of plastic wrap up around ball to seal. wrap in additional layer of plastic wrap to seal. place cheese ball on a plate and refrigerate several hours until firm.
• 6 serve with crackers.