Hot Taco Dip Recipe

Introduction

Hot Taco Dip is a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s perfect for gatherings and game days. Layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy beans, cheese, and salsa baked until bubbly make this dip irresistible and easy to serve with tortilla chips.

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ounce taco seasoning (1 envelope)
• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (1 brick)
• 15 ounces canned refried beans (1 can)
• 2 ounces chopped green chiles (½ small can)
• 1 cup salsa
• 2 cups freshly shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• Chopped fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
• Tortilla chips (for serving)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef and chopped onion, breaking the beef apart with a spoon until fully cooked and the onion is translucent, about 7 minutes.
3. Step 3: Stir in the minced garlic and taco seasoning, cooking until fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and set aside.
4. Step 4: In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese, refried beans, and chopped green chiles until combined.
5. Step 5: Spread the bean and cream cheese mixture evenly in the bottom of an 8×8 or 7×11-inch baking dish.
6. Step 6: Top the layered mixture with the cooked ground beef, then spoon the salsa over the beef.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the salsa layer.
8. Step 8: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the dip is warmed through.
9. Step 9: Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired, and serve warm with tortilla chips.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, add a diced jalapeño when mixing the bean layer or choose a spicy salsa.
• Swap Monterey Jack cheese with cheddar or a Mexican cheese blend for a different flavor.
• Use black beans instead of refried beans for a chunkier texture and added protein.
• If you prefer, prepare this dip ahead of time and refrigerate before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if chilled.

Storage

Store leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally to heat evenly.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this dip vegetarian?

Yes, simply omit the ground beef and increase the amount of refried beans or add cooked lentils to keep it hearty and flavorful.

What can I use instead of taco seasoning?

You can make your own seasoning by combining chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper to taste. This allows you to customize the spice blend.

Hot Taco Dip Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 85 reviews

• Author: Aiden
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x

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Description

A flavorful hot taco dip featuring seasoned ground beef, creamy layers of cream cheese and refried beans, topped with salsa and melted Monterey Jack cheese. Perfectly baked and served warm with crispy tortilla chips, this crowd-pleasing appetizer is ideal for parties and casual gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat Mixture

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 ounce taco seasoning (1 envelope)

Bean Layer

• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (1 brick)
• 15 ounces canned refried beans (1 can)
• 2 ounces chopped green chiles (½ small can)

Toppings

• 1 cup salsa
• 2 cups freshly shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• Chopped fresh cilantro, optional for garnish

For Serving

• Tortilla chips

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the dip.
2. Cook Beef and Onion: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, breaking the beef apart with a spoon, until the beef is cooked through and the onion becomes translucent, about 7 minutes.
3. Add Garlic and Taco Seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic and taco seasoning and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
4. Mix Cream Cheese and Beans: While the beef mixture cooks, combine the cream cheese, refried beans, and chopped green chiles in a medium bowl until well blended.
5. Layer Bean Mixture: Spread the cream cheese and bean mixture evenly on the bottom of an 8×8 or 7×11-inch baking dish.
6. Add Beef and Salsa: Top the bean layer with the cooked ground beef mixture, then spread salsa evenly over the beef.
7. Sprinkle Cheese: Generously sprinkle freshly shredded Monterey Jack cheese on top of the salsa layer.
8. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the dip is heated through.
9. Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired, and serve warm with tortilla chips.

Notes

• For a spicier dip, add jalapeños or extra taco seasoning.
• Use low-fat cream cheese and lean ground beef to reduce calories.
• This dip can be made ahead up to the baking step, then refrigerated and baked just before serving.
• Substitute Monterey Jack cheese with a Mexican blend cheese if preferred.
• For a vegetarian version, replace beef with a plant-based ground meat alternative.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mexican

Keywords: taco dip, hot dip, party appetizer, ground beef dip, cream cheese dip, Mexican appetizer, baked dip