you're making mealtime meaningful.
You may be familiar with the wonderfully retro Cheese Ring, inspired by first lady Rosalynn Carter and many a housewife with a flair for entertaining. It’s similar to a cheese ball, but slightly softer and ring shaped. Creamy, savory, and just a bit crunchy, it’s the kind of appetizer that looks impressive without being fussy. We sure love the original, but thought it was high time we tried a little twist on those flavors. Allow us to introduce you to Cattle Ring Dip!
It’s a Southwest twist that gives this party appetizer a little extra zip. Cream cheese and sour cream make it smooth and spreadable, while pepper jack adds a bit of heat. Green onions, red bell pepper, and taco seasoning bring in that Southwest feel without overpowering anything. Everything gets mixed together in one bowl, so it’s easy to pull together.
What really sets this dip apart is the crunchy coating. Crushed Fritos and corn nuts mixed with taco seasoning line the bottom of the Bundt pan, so when you flip it out, you get a crunchy, seasoned layer on top. It’s a nice contrast to the creamy dip and gives each bite a little texture. Letting it chill helps the ring hold its shape and makes serving a breeze.
Right before serving, fill the center with chunky salsa for color and flavor. Serve it with tortilla chips, corn chips, or veggie sticks, and watch it disappear fast. Perfect for game day, potlucks, or holiday get-together! This Cattle Ring Dip is simple and packed with flavor, exactly the kind of recipe that earns a permanent spot in your appetizer rotation.
Cattle Ring Dip
Yield(s): Serves 10-12
10m prep time
2h inactive
Diet: Vegetarian
you're making mealtime meaningful.
Ingredients
- 2 (8 oz) blocks cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded pepperjack
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 packet taco seasoning, divided
- 1 cup fritos, lightly crusted
- 1/2 cup corn nuts
- 3/4 cup chunky salsa, for filling
Preparation
- Place plastic wrap on the inside of a 8-cup bundt pan to fully line the pan. Wrap should hang over the outside edges.
- In a medium sized bowl, add cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheeses, green onion, bell pepper, and half of the taco seasoning packet. Mix until well combined.
- Mix together the crushed fritos, corn nuts, and second half of the taco seasoning packet in a small bowl, then sprinkle in the bottom of the lined bundt pan.
- Carefully spoon cheese spread into the pan over the toppings and press down on the top to evenly pack the pan.
- Cover pan with plastic wrap and chill for a minimum of 2 hours.
- When ready to serve: Peel off the top plastic wrap then invert the bundt pan onto a serving plate or platter. Lift the pan off and remove the plastic wrap liner.
- Spoon salsa into the center of the cheese ring. Serve with tortilla chips, corn chips, or veggie sticks.
Recipe adapted from 12tomatoes.com