Description
This delicious Baked Taco Dip is a crowd-pleasing appetizer perfect for gatherings and game days. It combines seasoned ground beef or turkey with a creamy base of cream cheese, sour cream, and salsa, topped with melty Mexican blend cheese and fresh vegetables. Served warm alongside crispy tortilla chips, this easy-to-make dip is flavorful, cheesy, and sure to be a hit at any party.
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
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
To Serve
- Tortilla chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the taco dip later.
- Cook the meat: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or turkey. Once cooked through, drain any excess fat. Stir in the taco seasoning and water, and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until the seasoning is well incorporated and the mixture is slightly thickened.
- Prepare the creamy layer: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and salsa. Mix until smooth and evenly blended. Spread this mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Layer the meat: Spoon and spread the cooked taco meat over the creamy base layer in the baking dish, creating a uniform layer.
- Add cheese and bake: Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of the shredded Mexican blend cheese evenly over the meat layer. Place the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
- Top with fresh ingredients: Remove the dip from the oven and immediately sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese on top along with the chopped tomatoes, sliced black olives, and sliced green onions for a burst of color and flavor.
- Serve warm: Serve the baked taco dip warm alongside tortilla chips for dipping. Enjoy this flavorful, cheesy appetizer perfect for sharing!
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground beef or a plant-based meat alternative.
- For a spicier dip, add chopped jalapeños to the toppings or mix in some hot salsa.
- Prepare the dip a few hours in advance, then refrigerate and bake just before serving.
- Use any Mexican cheese blend or cheddar cheese as preferred.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the taco seasoning and tortilla chips are gluten-free.
