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Cream Cheese Taco Dip

Cream cheese taco dip with browned seasoned ground beef, salsa-spiked cream cheese, and melted cheddar in a baking dish. Topped with jalapeños and green onions for a classic taco-style dip with scoopable, cheesy texture.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 540
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cream cheese base
  • 8 oz cream cheese Softened so it spreads easily.
Seasoned beef layer
  • 1 lb ground beef Use 80–85% lean for easier draining.
  • 1 packet taco seasoning Stir in after draining excess fat.
  • 1 cup salsa Adds moisture and taco flavor.
Cheese and toppings
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese For melting over the beef layer.
  • 0.25 cup diced jalapeños Add after baking so they stay bright.
  • 0.25 cup chopped green onions Finish with fresh bite and color.
Serving
  • 1 tortilla chips Serve alongside for scooping.

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet
  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Cook the seasoned beef
  1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, breaking it apart as it cooks for about 8 minutes until no longer pink.
  2. Drain excess fat, then stir in the taco seasoning and salsa until evenly combined.
Assemble and bake
  1. Spread the softened cream cheese in the bottom of a shallow baking dish to form an even base.
  2. Top with the cooked seasoned beef mixture, spreading it into a single layer.
  3. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the beef.
  4. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and looks bubbly at the edges.
Finish and serve
  1. Top the hot dip with diced jalapeños and chopped green onions for a fresh, colorful finish.
  2. Serve immediately with tortilla chips for scooping.

Notes

Pro tip: drain the beef well so the dip stays thick and doesn’t get watery. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days; reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. Freezing is not recommended because cream cheese can change texture. For a lower-sodium option, choose a reduced-sodium taco seasoning packet and a salsa with no-salt-added.