This Taco Bell Fan-Favorite Is a Staple at Lance Bass's Annual Holiday Party

Lance Bass decks the halls with cured meats and cheeses. The *NSYNC musician has been hosting an annual Christmas Charcuterie Competition for many years, and to keep things fresh, he and his friends have added many innovative ingredients to their boards. Though he doesn’t compete—he and his husband, Michael, judge instead—his contribution last holiday season included a shocking addition…from Taco Bell.

Lance Bass's Taco Bell Charcuterie Board

“I always have to have my salty and sweet. So I have my cheeses like Boursin, spreads, dips, jams, and crackers. But I wanted to get some bonus points…so I added some Taco Bell to the spread,” Bass shares with us. “Just the classic crunchy tacos. It's nice to have that nice crisp exterior, a little soft inside, and you can use so many of the accouterments to add to your Taco Bell.”

People can choose to break off a piece of the shell and use it separately, or stuff the taco itself with complementary flavors. It’s a wildcard, but imagining a nice, nutty Gruyère or garlic and herb creamy Boursin with the crunchy shell and tender spiced beef is nacho average combination. Adding in some quesadillas could also be a good move—top them with a little fig jam and prosciutto to make a high-low masterpiece.

Lance Bass's Tips for Upgrading Your Charcuterie Board

One of his favorite winners of Charcuterie Christmas past was the “Charcute-RiRi,” an homage to Rihanna with what Bass described as RiRi wearing a big charcuterie dress. (Sadly, no photos were available to share, so you’ll have to use your imagination.)

If you don’t have the time to invest in making a popstar charcuterie board, Bass—who partnered with Boursin to share holiday entertaining tips and tricks—suggests doing something simple to elevate your spread, like adding flowers (edible or just for garnish) or upgrading the cheese to Boursin’s new Black Truffle & Sea Salt flavor.

Lance Bass's Favorite Cheese

Bass uses the truffle cheese morning, noon, and night—literally. First thing in the morning for “eggs à la Française that I’ve finally perfected;” mixed into an easy cheesy pasta; and a midnight snack board with cheese, veggies, and crackers.

The simple Boursin pasta (which was another social media sensation inspired by the TikTok-viral baked feta pasta) is the dish Bass is most famous for with his family. “It's pretty much the only thing my kids will eat, because they love their cheese and they love their carbs! I can’t get anything else down them!” he shares with a laugh.

He makes it by roasting cherry tomatoes and a few “coins” of Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs with olive oil, salt, and pepper at 375°F until “melty and gooey,” about 20 minutes, then tossing it with cooked whole wheat pasta and vegetables. “When I pull out this pasta, it’s a hit for the whole family. I top it with spinach and basil or mix in broccoli to sneak in some veggies.”