Description
This Baked Taco Dip is a crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy cheese mixtures, salsa, and a melty Mexican cheese blend, topped with fresh vegetables and served warm with crunchy tortilla chips. Perfect for game days, parties, or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Layer
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
Creamy Base
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup salsa
Toppings
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 2 green onions, sliced
To Serve
- Tortilla chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the dip later.
- Brown the meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or turkey until fully browned. Drain any excess fat to reduce greasiness. Add the taco seasoning and 1/2 cup water, stirring well. Allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Prepare the creamy base: In a medium bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and salsa until the mixture is smooth and combined evenly.
- Assemble the dip base: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to form the first layer.
- Add the meat layer: Spoon the cooked taco meat evenly over the cream cheese base, spreading it out in a uniform layer.
- Layer cheese: Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of the shredded Mexican blend cheese over the meat layer to add gooey texture.
- Bake the dip: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly on top.
- Add fresh toppings: Remove the baked dip from the oven and immediately sprinkle with chopped tomatoes, black olives, sliced green onions, and the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese.
- Serve warm: Allow the dip to cool slightly before serving it warm alongside tortilla chips for dipping.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey for beef for a leaner option.
- Use your favorite salsa style—mild, medium, or hot—to adjust the dip’s spiciness.
- For a vegetarian version, replace the meat with cooked lentils or a plant-based meat substitute.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to ensure easy mixing and smooth texture.
- This dip can be prepared ahead of time; assemble it and refrigerate, then bake just before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
