Description
This Cheesy Taco Dip is a crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring seasoned ground beef layered over a creamy blend of cream cheese and sour cream, topped with melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, fresh tomatoes, black olives, and green onions. Baked until bubbly and served warm with tortilla chips, it’s perfect for parties and game days.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for cooking)
Dairy and Cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Vegetables and Toppings
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes (fresh or canned and drained)
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
Serving
- Tortilla chips for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess grease if necessary to avoid excess fat.
- Season the Meat: Stir in the taco seasoning mix and water. Simmer the mixture for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing it to thicken and develop flavor.
- Prepare Creamy Base: In a separate bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and sour cream. Mix until the consistency is completely smooth and well blended.
- Assemble the Dip: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly across the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish or oven-safe skillet. Layer the seasoned ground beef on top, followed by the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, and chopped green onions evenly over the cheese layer to add freshness and color.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the assembled dip for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly throughout.
- Serve: Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. Serve warm with tortilla chips for dipping.
Notes
- You can prepare this dip ahead of time and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake.
- For extra heat, add diced jalapeños or substitute pepper jack cheese for some or all of the Monterey Jack.
- This recipe can be adapted to use ground turkey or plant-based crumbles as a meat alternative.
