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Loaded Taco Cheese Dip

Loaded Taco Cheese Dip

The ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer, delivering a creamy, savory, and utterly irresistible flavor explosion that’s perfect for game nights, parties, or simply a quick and satisfying snack. This recipe is incredibly useful for those times you need a fuss-free yet impressive dish that everyone will devour.
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Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired, Tex-Mex
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1 packet taco seasoning (1 ounce)
  • 1 jar salsa (16 ounces), mild, medium, or hot (your preference)
  • 1 can refried beans (15 ounces), original
  • 1 block cream cheese (8 ounces), softened
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup milk (or more, for desired consistency)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Optional toppings
  • chopped fresh cilantro
  • diced tomatoes
  • sliced jalapeños
  • sliced black olives
  • green onions

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Large bowl
  • 9x13 inch baking dish or oven-safe skillet

Method
 

  1. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef or turkey, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.
    1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
  2. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the browned meat and stir well to coat evenly. Cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
    1 packet taco seasoning
  3. In a large bowl, combine the salsa, refried beans, softened cream cheese, sour cream, and milk. Mix thoroughly until the cream cheese is fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth. You can use a whisk or an electric mixer on low speed for extra smoothness. Add a splash more milk if you prefer a thinner consistency.
    1 jar salsa, 1 can refried beans, 1 block cream cheese, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup milk
  4. Stir the seasoned ground meat into the salsa and refried bean mixture. Fold in the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until just combined.
    1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  5. Pour the entire mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish or a similar-sized oven-safe skillet.
  6. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbly around the edges, and the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
  7. Once removed from the oven, you can sprinkle your desired toppings over the hot dip. This could include freshly chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, black olives, or green onions.
    chopped fresh cilantro, diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, sliced black olives, green onions
  8. Serve your Loaded Taco Cheese Dip hot with your favorite tortilla chips, crackers, or vegetable sticks for dipping.

Notes

Store leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the oven. Freezing is also an option for up to 2-3 months.