There’s nothing better than a warm, cheesy dip right out of the oven. This Hot Taco Dip is a great appetizer for game day or any party!
Adding cottage cheese makes this taco dip extra creamy. You can also add more spices to the ground beef mixture if you want it spicier.
Ingredients
This layered taco dip is packed with your favorite Mexican toppings for an easy appetizer recipe that’s perfect for parties. Serve with tortilla chips or sliced vegetables.
Sour cream and creamy cream cheese form the rich base of this tasty dip, which can be easily adapted to your personal tastes. Use low-fat sour cream or even non-fat for a lighter option. For a kick of spice, add diced jalapenos or a dash of hot sauce to the mixture.
Lean ground beef adds a hearty texture and savory flavor to this dip, but you can skip it for a vegan or vegetarian option. Seasoned black beans help to keep the dip moist and bring in some earthy taste. If you’re looking to keep the dip mild, omit the red onion and peppers or try using milder flavored varieties like sweet red bell peppers.
Homemade taco seasoning is easy to make and takes just minutes. It’s a great way to control the amount of sodium in your recipes, plus it’s much healthier than store-bought versions. For a spicier option, try adding a few dashes of hot sauce to the beef mixture before baking. If you’d prefer to not bake this recipe, it can also be served warm from a slow cooker. Simply transfer the ingredients to a small crock pot set to the “warm” setting and allow it to heat up for an hour or so before serving.
Prep Time
A cheesy, creamy, and spicy dip that makes the ultimate appetizer for any occasion. This version is loaded with ground beef and refried beans, but also includes the zest of salsa and melty cheeses. It is one of the most popular dishes brought to potlucks, family dinners, and game day gatherings.
The ingredients are simple, and the recipe is easy to adapt for a variety of preferences and needs. You can use low-fat cream cheese and sour cream to make this dish lighter and healthier. You can also substitute the cheddar cheese with pepper jack, a Mexican or taco cheese blend, or even leave out the cheese altogether. Refried beans can be replaced with black beans for added protein. The dish can be topped with extra veggies like diced green onions, red or green bell peppers, and sliced black olives for a crunchy contrast.
This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until ready to bake. It can also be cooked in a slow cooker and set to warm. To prevent the cheese from burning, cover the dip with foil while it is baking. This is a great appetizer to serve at parties or family gatherings, as it will stay warm for hours. Serve with a selection of tortilla chips or other vegetables for dipping.
Cook Time
There’s nothing better than a warm, cheesy dip straight out of the oven and onto your favorite chip. This easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer is a game day favorite or perfect for Cinco de Mayo celebrations. Layers of refried beans, cream cheese, salsa and ground beef with taco seasoning make this an ideal addition to any gathering.
For a lighter version of this recipe, substitute the sour cream with plain Greek yogurt. It’s not as rich, but it tastes just like sour cream and will still provide all the flavor of this classic party dip. For the cheese, use a low-fat variety or try using a blend of Monterey Jack and Cheddar or a Mexican-style cheese mixture.
Adding a pound of lean ground beef to this creamy, layered dish transforms it into a hearty, filling meal. If you want to go vegetarian, replace the meat with a plant-based option or simply add extra black beans for bulk and fiber. You can even spice things up by adding a bit of hot sauce or chopped jalapenos to the meat mix.
When you’re ready to serve, spread the cream cheese mix in an 8×8 baking dish (Images 1 & 2) and pour over the meat mixture. Sprinkle with the salsa and top with shredded cheddar cheese (Images 3 & 4). Bake in preheated oven until warm and bubbly, about 20 minutes. Top with additional toppings, if desired, and serve with tortilla chips.
Serve
This recipe yields enough dip for 12 servings. Each serving contains 1/4 cup of dip plus toppings (toppings will vary depending on your preferences). It’s perfect for a New Year’s Eve Party and you can serve it with tortilla chips. You can heat it in the oven or microwave it, just be sure to leave the olive slices on top until after the dip is reheated or they will get mushy and fall off.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with cooking spray. In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned; drain and discard grease. Stir in salsa and taco seasoning. Spread evenly into prepared casserole dish and top with sour cream layer and Cheddar cheese. Bake in preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbling, 10 to 20 minutes.
Whether you’re serving this for a crowd at a party, a tailgate or a family movie night, everyone will love the bold flavor combinations in this hot taco dip recipe. It’s easy to make and can be made ahead of time. For even more fun, use a different type of cheese. Try Monterey Jack, a Mexican cheese blend or Chihuahua cheese for a more unique spin on this recipe. You can also vary the spice level of this recipe by changing the salsa or using a mild or spicy taco seasoning.