Easy 7 Layer Taco Dip
Easy 7 Layer Taco Dip
THE BEST 7 Layer Mexican Taco Dip
So what makes this quasi-enchilada dip the BEST? Let me explain why you need this super easy appetizer in your arsenal.
- Easy – This easy taco dip is made with pantry items like refried beans, ground beef, cream cheese and taco seasoning topped off with some fresh ingredients.
- Flavor – Seriously! Taco meat, beans, melted cheese topped with fresh salsa, sour cream and corn so you have bold flavors with spice and crunch. Yum!
- Portability – This little Mexican dip begs to travel. Show up at any football party, summer BBQ, birthday party, family dinner or neighborhood game night, with this easy appetizer .. trust me, you will be the star of the show!
- Upgrade to a classic – The classic layer dip we all know and love is fine but this layered taco dip recipe has so much more flavor.
Easy Taco Dip Ingredients
- Ground beef
- Taco seasoning
- Store bought salsa
- Refried beans
- Cream cheese
- Shredded cheese
- Corn
- Red onion
- Lime
- Toppings – Diced tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, avocado, olives, cilantro, sour cream, hot sauce… all good things here!
How to Make 7 Layer Dip
To make this layered dip, start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees and in a large skillet, brown ground beef until no longer pink.
Drain grease from the pan and add taco seasoning and stir to combine.
Then shmear (yes, it’s a real word) refried beans on the bottom of a 13 x 9 baking pan.
Top your beans with a layer of cream cheese, then a layer of salsa and then your seasoned ground beef.
Add a layer of shredded cheese and cook at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
When your cheese has melted, remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before adding your toppings.
Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. The dip can be made up to 8 hours in advance so it’s a time saver!
Expert Tips for Perfect Taco Dip
- Go crazy with your toppings! The more the better 🙂
- Let your cream cheese come to room temperature for easy spreading.
- Grab a block of Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese and shred it yourself for the best results.
- Taco seasoning comes in ‘regular’ or ‘hot’ .. plan accordingly based on who will be enjoying this layered dip. Party with kids? Maybe not go with ‘hot’.
- Consider serving the sour cream in a bowl to the side if you will be enjoying this poolside or somewhere very warm (like anywhere in Florida) .. the sour cream may get a little ‘wilted’ in direct hot temperatures and having it separate allows you to restir and revitalize.
- Serve with large corn chips, tortilla chips, fresh veggies like carrot chips,
- Make this cream cheese layered dip the morning of, covered it with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until you need it. This can be made 8 hours in advance so save yourself the rushing around.
Looking for more easy appetizers? Here you go..
Easy 7 Layer Taco Dip
Ingredients
Layered Taco Dip
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 ounce taco seasoning packet
- 15 ounce can refried beans
- 8 ounce cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup store bought salsa
- 8 ounce cheddar cheese, shredded
Toppings
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, diced
- 1/8 cup diced jalapenos
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup sliced olives
- 1/2 cup corn kernels
- 1/8 cup fresh cilantro, diced
- 1/2 avocado, diced
- 1 cup sour cream, for serving
- 2-3 limes, quartered for serving
- Corn or Tortilla chips for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef until no longer pink and drain grease from the pan. Add in taco seasoning and stir to combine
- Then shmear (yes, it's a real word) refried beans on the bottom of a 13 x 9 baking pan.
- Top your beans with a layer of cream cheese, then a layer of salsa and then your seasoned ground beef.
- Add a layer of shredded cheese and cook at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
- When your cheese has melted, remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before adding your toppings.
- Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. The dip can be made up to 8 hours in advance so it's a time saver!
Notes
Expert Tips for Perfect Taco Dip
- Go crazy with your toppings! The more the better 🙂
- Let your cream cheese come to room temperature for easy spreading.
- Grab a block of Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese and shred it yourself for the best results.
- Taco seasoning comes in 'regular' or 'hot' .. plan accordingly based on who will be enjoying this layered dip. Party with kids? Maybe not go with 'hot'.
- Consider serving the sour cream in a bowl to the side if you will be enjoying this poolside or somewhere very warm (like anywhere in Florida) .. the sour cream may get a little 'wilted' in direct hot temperatures and having it separate allows you to restir and revitalize.
- Serve with large corn chips, tortilla chips, fresh veggies like carrot chips,
- Make this cream cheese layered dip the morning of, covered it with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until you need it. This can be made 8 hours in advance so save yourself the rushing around.
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in April of 2018 but was republished with an updated recipe, new photos, step by step instructions and tips in June of 2024.
I love everything about this! I’m not a football fan per se, but college football is a sport all it’s own.
I’ll be making this dip for parties this fall!