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We make a quick 5 Minute Taco Dip which is a fast favorite but adding some ground beef and baking it adds melty cheesy goodness!
This hot cheesy ground beef dip is packed with taco flavor, heaps of cheese, and fully loaded with all the fixin’s!
It’s guaranteed to be a huge hit and to disappear as soon as it is placed on the table.
A Great Appetizer Dip Recipe
- This ground beef dip recipe is great for game day!
- We use ground beef seasoned with taco seasoning, any ground meat can be used.
- Prep ahead of time and refrigerate up to 48 hours, this makes it party perfect.
- Top it with some shredded lettuce, tomatoes, jalapenos, or olives (or whatever toppings you add to ground beef tacos).
Ingredients in Ground Beef Dip
Cheese Layer: The base of this dip is cream cheese and the addition of sour cream makes it easy to scoop. Add half of the cheeses to this layer (and save the rest for topping).
Ground Beef Layer: Lean ground beef & taco seasoning adds zesty flavor. Any ground meat works (or even leftover shredded chicken taco meat).
Spice up the dip by using a hot salsa. Restaraunt style or homemade salsa aren’t as thick (and are sometimes more runny) so drain them slightly and put the drained liquid into the beef in place of water.
How to Make a Ground Beef Dip
- Brown the ground beef. Add taco seasoning and a bit of water (as per the recipe below).
- Mix the cream cheese base. Layer with taco meat, salsa, and more cheese.
- Bake until browned and bubbly. So good!
Cheesy Tips and Tricks
- Remember to soften the cream cheese. This will make it easier to mix with the other ingredients. Let it soften on the counter, or do it in the microwave on a lower power for about 45 seconds.
- Use a hand mixer to combine the cream cheese mixture, this makes the dip easier to scoop.
- Make this up to 2 days ahead and bake just before the guests arrive.
- Top with your favorite toppings.
Party-Perfect Dips
- Buffalo Ranch Chicken Dip – loaded with cheese & chicken
- Easy Cheese Dip – ready in 5 minutes
- The Best Spinach Artichoke Dip – a reader fave!
- Mississippi Sin Dip – loaded with bacon & cheese
- Sausage Cheese Dip – perfect for game day!
Did you make this Hot & Cheesy Ground Beef Dip? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Taco Ground Beef Dip
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey or ground chicken
- 1 ounce taco seasoning 1 packet
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese divided
- 2 ounces canned mild green chiles
- 1 cup salsa
- toppings as desired see notes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Brown beef in a large pan over medium heat, drain fat and return to the pan.
- Stir in taco seasoning and water according to package directions.
- While beef is cooking mix cream cheese, sour cream, ½ of the cheese, and chilis in a large bowl. Mix until fully combined and spread into the bottom of a baking dish.
- Layer the meat mixture on top, then layer the salsa and finish with the remaining cheese
- Bake 25 minutes or until bubbly and browned. Top with desired toppings and serve warm with chips.
Notes
- Remember to soften the cream cheese. This will make it easier to mix with the other ingredients. Let it soften on the counter, or do it in the microwave on a lower power for about 45 seconds.
- Use a hand mixer to combine the cream cheese mixture, this makes the dip easier to scoop.
- Make this up to 2 days ahead and bake just before the guests arrive.
- Top with your favorite toppings. (Sour cream, tomatoes, green onions, shredded lettuce, black olives, cilantro, tomatoes etc.)
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Appetizer, Dip, Party Food
Cuisine American, Mexican© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
figure I should add a reply as I often love the minor adjustments found in the reviews.
ive been making this recipe for years and it is always a major hit, but I do it quite a bit differently. I dont have any layers, same ingredients except no sour creme.
I brown the beef with onion and garlic, season, drain fat, add the creme cheese to the beef, let it melt together, add salsa and mix together. we’ve added many extras in the past but generally just leave it basic, some chopped jalapeños if you want the added bite. sprinkle with the cheese and in the oven.
A huge hit at my Super Bowl party. This is definitely going I. To the party snack rotation!
So glad you think so!
Made this dish over the weekend and it was tasty. We added a can of refried beans to the base cream cheese layer. And, we actually used the dip as a topping for tortillas to make it more of a main dish.
So glad you enjoyed it, Roseann.
What size serving dish? 11 x 7? It’s not included in the equipment needed section (nor is the mixing bowl).
This recipe fits in a smaller 1 ½ qt dish or a pie plate.
Made this dip twice in two weeks, my spouse was eating it out of the bowl, I don’t allow people to double dip so I pit some in each dipping bowl and then they can add whatever they want for toppings, I used tomato, lettuce and peppers and green onions, plus I added some garlic and onion powder to the dip, it’s delicious!
I love that idea Juanita!
Love the taco dip…my family if so picky I just put all the fixings on the side….they add what they like….delicious !!!
I left out the little tomatoes
Where does the Monterey Jack cheese come in? Recipe has instructions for the 2 cups of cheddar, but nothing for the 1 cup of Monterey jack. Pls advise. Thanks!
It is added with the remaining cheese in step 4.
Great recipe made with lean ground turkey – tons of flavor! I find no need to bake it I just add the salsa at the end when the cheese is melted.
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
E – Why did you only give it 3 stars?
can this be made a day ahead and baked when I’m ready to serve?
Yes, that would work perfectly with this recipe.
If you wanted to make it vegetarian, refried beans, chili beans, or black beans would be great substitutes!
That would be delicious too!