January 17, 2019

Layered Taco Dip Recipe

Name: Layered Taco Dip
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 12-14 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 8 ounce jar taco sauce, medium or hot; 8 ounces cream cheese, softened; 16 ounces sour cream; 1.25 ounce package taco seasoning; 16 ounce can fat free refried beans; 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup shredded lettuce; 1 cup diced tomatoes; 2 ounce can sliced black olives, drained; 2 green onions, diced

Go big with this layered taco dip recipe – it is the perfect appetizer for large crowds. Ground beef, refried beans, cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, and more. Add this appetizer to your game day or party menus!

My go-to recipe for potlucks has always been this 8 layer taco dip recipe. It’s a taco dip with meat so it is hearty enough that you can eat it as a main meal and be full. Or, you can take just a little bit and then try everything else that people bring.

The best thing about this dip recipe is that you can take out a few layers if, for example, someone hates beans. Make it a 7 layer taco dip, a 6 layer taco dip, etc.

Layered taco dip is the best.

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Also, it’s so easy to make that you can prepare this dish quickly for last-minute guests, or prep it before you get ready to go to a party.

It’s the perfect addition to your party spread – make some sheet pan loaded nachos or slow cooker barbacoa beef to go with it.

It is my go-to party recipe because it is so often requested by those that try it – keep that in mind. It’s a party favorite and everyone loves it.

I learned this step the hard way – at one party, everyone was huddled around the casserole dish and then there was none left for me!

Layer Taco Dip Recipe

My favorite part of this taco dip is the cream cheese layer. The sour cream and taco seasoning mix blend so well with the cream cheese that you could probably use that as a dip all on its own.

Want to go the extra mile? Make your own homemade taco seasoning!

Maybe even just make a cream cheese taco dip…. just sayin’. Taco dip is good for a few days after you make it – put any leftovers in the refrigerator.

How To Serve Taco Dip

Serve with tortilla chips and keep a large serving spoon and some small appetizer plates nearby so that your guests can take a little (or a lot).

Or skip the tortilla chips and serve it with Doritos. I’ve done both, recently. You could even skip the chips if you are counting your carbs and use just a fork.

Can Taco Dip Be Made Ahead of Time?

The answer to that question is YES. It can be served as a hot dip, right after preparation, or a cold dip if you make it ahead of time and then refrigerate it.

If you are going to be serving a lot of items, this is the one recipe you should definitely make the night before.

Taco Dip Without Cooking

If you want to make this even easier, skip the meat altogether and you don’t have to cook anything. If you are making this vegetarian, add the taco sauce to the cream cheese mixture instead.

Or, make it its own layer. The more layers the better!

Taco Dip Layer Substitutions

If you want to add or replace layers to this taco dip, here are a few suggestions for you:

Avocado – diced or sliced avocado
Guacamole – check out this guacamole keeper!
Salsa – a thick and chunky salsa would be perfect.
Ground turkey instead of ground beef
Chicken – grilled chicken chunks or shredded rotisserie chicken
Greek yogurt – instead of sour cream
Chili – instead of ground beef or in addition to it
Bell Peppers – Red or green bell peppers
Hot green pepper – like jalapeños
Corn

If you don’t like it when the cheese is melted, make sure to add that layer towards the top.

Looking for more great party dips?

Try these:

Layered Taco Dip

Yield: 12-14 servings

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Prep Time: 15 minutes

: 30 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Go big with this layered taco dip recipe - it is the perfect appetizer for large crowds.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
8 ounce jar taco sauce, medium or hot
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
16 ounces sour cream
1.25 ounce package taco seasoning
16 ounce can fat free refried beans
1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup shredded lettuce
1 cup diced tomatoes
2 ounce can sliced black olives, drained
2 green onions, diced

Instructions

Brown the ground beef in a large pan. Drain the fat and add the taco sauce. Mix well and set aside.
In a bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sour cream and taco seasoning. Mix until well combined.
In a 3 quart dish, begin layering in this order - refried beans, cream cheese/sour cream mixture, ground beef, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, black olives and green onions.
Chill for 30 minutes prior to serving.

Looking for more taco-inspired recipes?