Taco Meatball Ring

If I remember correctly, this was a big recipe when Pampered Chef was first getting big back in the day. I hadn't seen this recipe in forever, but was glad I stumbled across it. The few times I have made it it turns out really well, even if it's not necessarily served in a ring like it's supposed to be.

• 2 cups (8 oz) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 2 Tbsp water
• 2 to 4 Tbsp taco seasoning
• 1/2 lb ground beef
• 2 tubes (8 oz each) refrigerated crescent rolls
• 1/2 medium head iceberg lettuce, shredded
• 1 medium tomato, chopped
• 4 green onions, sliced
• 1/2 cup sliced ripe olives
• 2 jalapeno peppers, sliced
• sour cream and salsa, optional

Ok, so I did dirty up another dish this time. But a ring was impossible!

In a large bowl, combine 1 cup cheese, water and taco seasoning. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 16 balls. Place meatballs on a greased rack in a shallow baking pan. Bake, uncovered, at 400 degrees for 12 minutes or until meat is no longer pink. Drain meatballs on paper towels. Reduce heat to 375 degrees.

Arrange crescent rolls on a greased 15 inch pizza pan, forming a ring with pointed ends facing the outer edge of the pan and wide ends overlapping in the center. Place a meatball on each roll, fold point over meatball and tuck under wide end of roll (meatball will be visible). Repeat. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until rolls are golden brown.

Transfer to a serving platter. Fill the center of the ring with lettuce, tomato, onions, olives, jalapenos, remaining cheese, and sour cream and salsa.

NOTES: I don't know that I've ever successfully made this in a ring shape because I don't own a pizza pan. However, a cookie sheet works just fine. ours ends up being something between a rectangle and an ellipse. And how in the world you are supposed to "transfer to a serving platter" while keeping it in a ring shape? In our house, whatever you cooked it in is generally what it gets served in. Why would I dirty up another dish?

Also good thing to note, these do refrigerate and reheat fairly well.

Serves: 16
Prep Time: 30 min
Total Time: 45 min

Recipe from Taste of Home