Description
This Baked Taco Dip is an easy and crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for parties or game days. Layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy cheese mixture, and melty Mexican cheese blend are baked to bubbly perfection and topped with fresh tomatoes, olives, and green onions. Serve it warm with crunchy tortilla chips for a deliciously satisfying snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Layer
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup water
Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup salsa
Cheese and Toppings
- 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese, divided
- 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 2 green onions, sliced
Serving
- Tortilla chips for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the dip.
- Cook Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or turkey thoroughly. Once browned, drain any excess fat. Stir in the taco seasoning and 1/2 cup water. Cook this mixture for 2-3 minutes until the seasoning is well incorporated and the mixture thickens slightly.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Layer: In a separate bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and salsa. Mix until smooth and well blended. Spread this creamy mixture evenly in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Layer Meat: Spoon the cooked taco meat mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer in the baking dish.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of the shredded Mexican blend cheese evenly over the meat layer.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Add Toppings: Remove from the oven and immediately top with the chopped tomatoes, sliced black olives, green onions, and the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese for extra flavor and color.
- Serve: Serve the dip warm, accompanied by tortilla chips for dipping. Enjoy this crowd-pleasing appetizer with family and friends!
Notes
- For a spicier dip, add chopped jalapeños to the meat mixture or sprinkle on top before baking.
- You can substitute ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Allow the dip to cool slightly before serving to avoid burning your mouth with the hot cheese.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
- Try adding additional toppings like diced avocado or cilantro for extra freshness.
