Hot taco dip is a fun appetizer with all the flavors of a taco! A taco seasoned blend of cream cheese and sour cream, topped with taco seasoned ground beef, Cheddar and Pepper Jack cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and onions! A filling and hearty dip that will be a hit at any party!
INGREDIENTS
Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe!
- White onions
- Chopped lettuce, or Iceberg lettuce you can chop yourself
- Cherry tomatoes
- Sharp Cheddar cheese
- Pepper Jack cheese
- Ground beef
- Taco seasoning
- Chips
- Cream cheese, softened
- Sour cream
I realize I missed adding a few of these to the photograph, but that list is everything you’ll need!
HOW TO MAKE THE DIP
I find this to be a super easy appetizer recipe to make!
Step 1. Add the ground beef to a skillet and cook until browned. Drain the grease, then add 1 packet of taco seasoning and the water called for on the packet. Cook until sauce has thickened, then turn off heat.
Step 2. While the ground beef is cooking, prepare the toppings. Chop the lettuce, dice the tomatoes, dice the onions, and shred the cheeses.
Step 3. In a bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, and 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning.
Step 4. To a small casserole dish, first layer the seasoned cream cheese, then add the cooked beef, then add the cheeses. Broil 3-5 minutes until dark browned and bubbly.
Note: you want to use a small casserole dish or pie plate, not a 9×13 dish. The 9×13 will be too long and there’s not enough cream cheese spread to really get a good layer. You can use a 9×9, a circular pie plate, or a rectangular 5″x7.5″. You can see here I used a smaller rectangle dish.
Since this is a taco dip you can really add any additional toppings you want! I stuck with lettuce, tomato, onions…but here are some other ideas to really make this a loaded dip!
- Black olives
- Guac or diced avocados
- Salsa
- Red onions
- Radishes
- Beans
- Jalapeños
- Pico de gallo
MAKE AHEAD AND STORAGE
This dip is best made and served right away, but there are things you can do ahead of time to make this a bit easier!
Chop and dice the toppings. Do this earlier in the day then store in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble the dip.
Mix and layer the cream cheese. You can season and mix the cream cheese and sour cream mixture, spread into the casserole dish, then store in the fridge. Then, all you have to do is cook up the taco meat, layer and broil!
As far as storing leftovers and reheating, I’ll be honest this isn’t the best dish for that. I’ve reheated this in the microwave for a little snack or lunch the next day and while it still tastes good, it looses some of it’s ideal texture and consistency.
For more party snacks, check out these recipes!
Cucumber Green Goddess Wraps
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Whipped Feta
Cream Cheese Salsa Dip
And for more taco inspired dishes, here are my favorite!
Walking Taco Casseroles
Taco Pasta Salad
Crunchy Taco Meatballs
Hot Taco Dip
Hot taco dip with ground beef is taco in a dip! A blend of taco seasoned cream cheese blend, taco meat, cheeses and taco toppings, this hot and cheesy dip will be a great addition to a party!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 1 taco dip
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Saute
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
8oz softened cream cheese
1/3 cup sour cream
2 packets of taco seasoning (you’ll use one packet for the ground beef and 1 tablespoon from the second packet for the cream cheese)
3/4 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
3/4 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
Chopped lettuce, diced onions, diced tomatoes for topping
Instructions
1. Heat a medium pan over medium heat and add the ground beef, cook until browned then drain the excess oil and return the meat to the pan. Season with the packet of taco seasoning according to package directions.
2. While the meat is cooking, take a medium bowl and add the softened cream cheese and the sour cream. Stir until they are smooth and combined, then add 1 tablespoon of taco seasoning and mix so it’s evenly incorporated. Pour this cream cheese blend into the bottom of a small casserole dish or pie plate.
3. When the taco meat is cooked and seasoned and the beans have been added, add it on top of the cream cheese blend in the baking dish. Then top with the shredded cheeses. Place under the broiler for approximately 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and beginning to get browned and bubbly.
4. Remove from the broiler and top with the lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and any additional taco toppings you like. Serve immediately!
Notes
Make sure you don’t use more than 1 lb of ground beef. Using too much meat will mean there won’t be enough taco seasoning to properly season the meat.
I love taco dips! And thanks for all the party planning tips ~ they are awesome!
This Taco dip look delicious! I love the tip of putting the bar where you want people to gather! 😉
My niece made this taco dip for Christmas, it was delicious! I’m now adding this recipe to my recipe box.
that’s great to hear!! So glad you liked!