Recipe – Hot Taco Dip

I’m not one that will sit here and post a weekly recipe. As a matter of fact, the only recipe I posted was for Waikiki Meatballs in a blog about my mom. Yet, here we are. Today’s blog stems from the following Daily Writing Prompt: Do you have a favorite recipe from your childhood that you still make today?

The answer is yes. This is one of the easiest things to make and it always reminds me of my mom. She used to make this for parties and get togethers, and at times would make it for dinner! It is such a favorite, that whenever my brother or I make it, we almost always send a picture of it to each other with the text – “MOM’S TACO DIP!!!”

For the dip, you need a pound of ground beef (or turkey if you choose), a packet of taco seasoning, a block of cream cheese (lite cream cheese works too), a tub of sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese. Some recipes include chopped onions, tomatoes, or peppers – but my mom never used them. Of course, you also need your favorite dipping chips.

Our oven takes forever to heat up, so I usually preheat my oven right from the get go. You don’t need much heat, I set mine for 350. Anyway, first you brown up your ground beef (for meatier dip – use a pound and a half). If you are going to use onions or peppers, brown it all together. Once the meat is brown, drain it and return it to the pan. Next add your taco packet with a little water. Once the meat is seasoned, add the block of cream cheese (cut into pieces helps it mix better) and about half of the sour cream tub. For thicker dip, use less sour cream or more cream cheese. Once it is all melted together and is as thick as you like it, spread it into a glass casserole dish like this:

Once you get it spread out into the casserole dish, sprinkle your shredded cheddar cheese on top. I like a lot of cheese, so I really lay it on there. I know some recipes call for the “taco mix” shredded cheese, but I always use cheddar. If you are so inclined, you can also add chopped/sliced black olives on top. Next, you toss it in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted. Let it stand for about 5 minutes and dig in.

Just remember thicker dips require thicker dipping chips!

Enjoy!