Inside: WOW your guests with the cheese log they can't stop eating … this 3 ingredient cheese roll will become your most requested potluck dish.
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Long before they called it Liquid Gold, my dad was flattening Velveeta between sheets of wax paper to make the most irresistible cheese log recipe on the planet. In our family, he's the creator of the “Velveeta Cheese Log”. You too can become the most popular potluck guest when you mix 3 simple ingredients together to create the most irresistible cheese log ever!
Better Than Ro-Tel Velveeta Dip
This Velveeta cheese log is not your typical Ro-Tel Velveeta dip. No salsa or tomatoes are needed on this golden cylinder of cheesy goodness!
What are cheese logs made of?
Most cheese rolls, cheese logs, and cheese balls are made of soft cheese. Types of soft cheese are:
- cream cheese
- Velveeta
- goat cheese
- ricotta
- feta
- other soft cheeses
Cheese logs are filled with ingredients that are revealed when guests scoop away parts of the log with crackers. Some cheese balls are filled with ingredients as well, like this piñata cheese ball recipe I make during the holidays.
And some cheese balls and cheese logs use a cheese mixture, with the filling mixed into the cheese.
Types of fillings for cheese logs or cheese balls:
- fresh herbs like oregano, parsley, and basil
- dried herbs like garlic powder, chili powder, and rosemary
- canned veggies like chiles, adobo peppers
- fresh veggies like green onions
- nuts, like pecans, pistachios, and almonds
- olives, capers and other briny vegetables
- ham, cured meats, bacon
- dried fruit, candied fruit
- anything you can imagine!
What's inside this Velveeta Cheese Log?
Make this cheese log with 3 easy-to-find ingredients:
- diced green chiles
- cream cheese
- Velveeta
Before we get into how these 3 ingredients combine into the ultimate cheese roll on the planet, we need to clear the air about Velveeta. Is it cheese? Not exactly …
What is Velveeta Made of, Anyways?
In the early 1900's, Velveeta was invented to use up misshapen Swiss cheese wheels. Cheese wiz Emil Frey combined whey into the melted cheese to formulate Velveeta, named for it's velvety texture. Sounds delicious, no?
In 1927 the company was acquired by Kraft Foods. Over time the formula changed and nowadays, there is no actual cheese in Velveeta. In 2002 the FDA sent a letter to Kraft telling them to change the name from “cheese spread” since Velveeta doesn't actually have cheese in it.
And I used to think Velveeta was cheddar cheese. Now we know: no cheese in Velveeta!
Bonus idea: Save your Velveeta box to use for a gag gift like this … your teens are gonna laugh themselves to tears when they open it and find a stack of CASH inside!
This Irresistible Cheese Log will Wow Your Guests
The magic flavor combination of creamy Velveeta and cream cheese with tangy green chiles makes this cheese log taste like a million bucks.
It's deceptively easy to make.
Besides the ingredients you'll need these supplies:
- wax paper
- solid wood rolling pin
Why can't you use a plastic rolling pin?
To create the cheese log, you'll need to roll out the cream cheese and Velveeta into 1/2″ thick sheets separately. Cheese doesn't like to be rolled flat so this is going to take some strength.
The weight of the wood rolling pin is going to do most of the work for you. A lightweight plastic rolling pin may bend under the pressure needed to flatten the cheese.
Can you use plastic wrap instead of wax paper?
Plastic wrap will crinkle and stick to the cheese when making the log and when it is frozen.
Foil may also wrinkle and stick to the frozen cheese.
Wax paper releases from the cheese when frozen and does not create many wrinkles in the surface as the cheese log, as you can see in the photo below:
Parchment paper can be used in place of the wax paper, though the wax paper releases the best from the log after freezing.
Can you freeze a log of cheese?
Yes, you can freeze cheese! This homemade cheese log needs to set in the freezer and can be stored in the freezer for up to a month before serving.
What are the Best Crackers or Chips for this Cheese Log?
I've often seen Ritz crackers recommended with similar cheese log recipes. Ritz are too crumbly to stand up to the power of the cheese in this log!
Use a sturdy salty cracker or chip to handle the mighty taste explosion of this thick Velveeta and cream cheese roll.
Try these chips and crackers for your cheese log:
- Wheat Thins. These stiff but thin crackers are great for dipping into the roll and slicing off a sliver of delicious cheese. The salt on top of the cracker makes the cheese log extra tasty.
- Frito's Chips. These solid salty chips are perfect for scooping up this cheesy dip.
- Tortilla Chips. Bring on the Mexican flavor by adding tortilla chips.
- Veggies. Carrot and celery sticks are sturdy enough to scoop the cheese and add a nice crunch. You can also use sliced radishes or cucumbers to scoop the dip. It's an almost guilt-free party appetizer … except for cheese part!
How to serve this cheese log:
Any platter, an oblong plate, or even a charcuterie board like this one would be excellent for this cheese log.
- Choose a plate with enough room for the log and crackers to go around the log
- If the plate doesn't have enough room for the crackers, serve them in a bowl alongside the cheese log
- These platters are eco-friendly, look like wood, and are disposable!
Add cheese knives or spreaders like these to help guests scoop the cheese onto crackers without a mess.
How to Make a Velveeta Cheese Log
Watch this video to see how to make this easy Velveeta cheese roll recipe step by step:
3 Ingredient Easy Velveeta Cheese Log Recipe
This delicious creamy cheese log is deceptively easy to make, with just 3 ingredients including Velveeta and cream cheese! It will quickly become one of your most requested go-to party dishes.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 lb block of Velveeta
- 2 – 8 oz packs of cream cheese
- 2 – 4 oz cans of Ortega diced green chiles
Instructions
- Lay the block of Velveeta onto a sheet of wax paper.
- Lay a piece of wax paper on top.
- Press the cheese to flatten. The roll with a rolling pin to flatten to 1/2″ thick.
- Repeat with the 2 blocks of cream cheese.
- Place each sheet in the freezer for 30 minutes to stiffen.
- Peel one side of the wax paper away from sheet of cheese. Press the exposed sides together.
- Lay the double sheet down on the table with the cream cheese side facing up. Peel away the wax paper from the other side of the cream cheese layer.
- Drain the diced green chiles. Spread the green chiles over the cream cheese.
- Starting at one end, roll the cheese layers onto themselves, peeling away the wax paper from the back.
- Place the roll onto a platter and surround with Wheat Thins crackers.
Notes
Guests can use the crackers or chips to scoop up the cheese to eat it. Or serve with a cheese knife for easy spreading.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/16 of the log
- Calories: 182
- Sugar: 2.1
- Sodium: 524
- Fat: 15.9
- Saturated Fat: 9.7
- Carbohydrates: 4.3
- Protein: 7.2
- Cholesterol: 51
Keywords: appetizer, dip, party food, cheese log
Ways to Kick Up Your Velveeta Cheese Log
While I think our family's Velveeta cheese log recipe is the best, try these variations:
- Black Olives. Add chopped black olives with the green chiles inside the cheese log. Or replace the chiles with olives.
- Roasted red peppers. Dice sweet roasted red peppers to use instead of green chiles. Or mix them together for a festive green and red cheese roll effect for Cinco De Mayo or Christmas.
- Chili beans. After making the cheese log, drizzle with warm chili beans. Yum!
- Jelly. Spread fig, jalapeño, or plum jam onto the cream cheese layer before rolling for a sweet, tangy surprise.
- Bacon. Add crumbled bacon inside the roll with the diced green chiles for a yummy salty crunch. Everything's better with bacon, right?!
- Fresh chives. Garnish the log with chopped fresh chives or mix with the chiles inside the log.
- Cranberries. Surround the log with dried cranberries and pecans for holiday flavor.
The cheesy bottomline:
No matter which way you roll it, this cheese log is the perfect party food to add to your potluck menu. With all of the different toppings and chip pairings, you'll never run out of ways to serve this cheese roll. Plus, the classic 3 ingredient version is always a favorite.
Where are you serving this Velveeta cheese log?
Let me know in the comments!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please share it on Pinterest:
How long it is good for after make it
For up to 2 days
Can I freeze it?
Yes, you can!
About what size, in inches, are the cheese rectangles?
You can make them whatever size you want – mine are usually about 12″ x 16″