Layered taco dip with ground beef and refried beans

Need a super easy to make dish, that is not only packed with flavor, but appeases to the masses? This 7 Layer Dip is a fully customizable appetizer with seasoned beef, refried beans, three types of cheese, and loaded with your favorite toppings.

Football Sundays are my favorite kind of Sundays. We get to kick back and relax and spend time together as a family. We talk out a small menu of delicious munchies to create and enjoy while watching football in our jammies while lounging on the couch. And what could make ‘Sunday Funday’ or any get together even better than with delicious food like this 7 layer dip?!

Aside from that, appetizers and finger food are just fun to eat. I mean, you get to eat with your hands over a napkin or plate.

There is no formal dinnerware involved.

It’s ok if things gets messy. Because the rules are, there are no rules.

And a fully customizable 7 layer dip that takes just 20 minutes to make is my kind of munchie.

Ingredients for a Seven Layer Dip

The base to this recipe is simple.

Seasoned beef, refried beans, a cream cheese/sour cream blend and some shredded cheese. From there, add your favorite toppings such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, chopped onion and sliced jalapeños.

1. seasoned beef
2. refried beans
3. cream cheese/sour cream blend
4. shredded cheese
5. crispy, shredded lettuce
6. diced tomatoes
7. chopped white onion
8. sliced jalapeños

Technically, this is an 8 layer dip because I add seasoned beef to the recipe. I don’t like the taste of refried beans on its own.

It’s a texture thing.

The seasoned beef adds a favorable element to the dip that takes this 7 layer dip to the next level.

How To Make Seven Layer Dip 

• Refried beans is the first layer. Warm the refried beans in a microwave-safe bowl for about 30-45 seconds. Mix it well and spread it out in a 9 x 13 pan to create the first layer.
• Brown ground beef on the stovetop on medium heat until there is no pink. Add 2-3 tablespoons taco seasoning. Let cool down. Spread over the refried beans.
• To make the cream cheese/sour cream layer, use a hand mixer to blend 4 ounces of cream cheese (softened) and 8 ounces of sour cream. Add 2-3 tablespoons of taco seasoning to the cheese blend and spread this layer on top of the ground beef.
• Sprinkle Mexican cheese as the fourth layer.
• Follow with a layer each of crisp shredded lettuce, diced tomato and onion.

Substitute Ingredients

We love this recipe because it’s flavorful and easy to make. So, how can we love this recipe even more? It’s fully customizable. That is what makes this recipe perfect for your next get together, because of its versatility.

Take your 7 layer dip to the next level with some of these substitutions –

• guacamole
• chunky salsa (drained)
• black olives
• green onions
• pico de gallo
• cilantro

I add an additional 2-3 tablespoons of taco seasoning into the cream cheese/sour cream mixture. Please note, this step is not necessary. However, I have tried it both ways and just really like the extra depth of flavor the seasoning adds to this layer.

Want to swap out some of the ingredients? Go for it. Want to add some more? Go right ahead.

For all of you guacamole lovers out there, add a layer of guacamole to this seven layer dip. Don’t like tomatoes? Leave them off. Like black olives? Pile them on.

Go ahead. Have fun with this recipe. That’s right. Feel free.

Get creative with it.

Seven Layer Dip Possibilities

This recipe doesn’t have to be set up layer by layer. My husband doesn’t like onions, but I do, so we portion off a small corner of the dish and sprinkle diced, white onions on it for me.

If we have company over, sometimes we will make the dish half and half, like a pizza! One half might have added jalapeños, onions and/or black olives, while the other side doesn’t.

You can use a clear punch bowl to see all of the beautiful layers. Place the bowl on a tray surrounded by tortilla chips for an elevated touch. You can use fun cocktail glasses to make mini, individual cups for a party. Garnish with a slice of lime and a paper umbrella.

Now, how fun is that?!

Tips and Tricks

1. Layer refried beans before the seasoned beef. The refried beans makes a wonderful layer to add the seasoned beef on top of. If you layer the seasoned beef first, the refried beans sticks to the seasoned beef and pulls it off the pan.
2. Warming the refried beans first, helps to spread the beans smoothly and evenly.
3. The cream cheese needs to be softened before combined with the sour cream. If not, the cream cheese doesn’t like to mix well with the sour cream and will remain in clumps. *Special Tip – If the cream cheese is not softened when you are ready to prepare the recipe, remove the wrapper of the cream cheese and place it in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave it for about 20 seconds before blending it into the sour cream.
4. If you use guacamole, make it as a middle layer so it doesn’t discolor and dry out.
5. If possible, chill for about one hour before serving. It helps ‘set’ the dip.

How Much Does It Make?

This makes about 16 servings. More or less, depending on how much you scoop on your plate. Don’t worry, we won’t judge.

How Long Does The Dip Last?

The seven layer dip is best served the day of. You can refrigerate the leftovers for up to two days. After that, the toppings such as lettuce, will start to wilt. It won’t look as pretty, but it still tastes as good.

Final Thoughts

This is such an easy, and quick recipe to make. It makes it so easy to appease hungry people with this fun and flavorful dish.

How do you layer your 7 Layer Dip? Let me know in the comments section below.

Mexican 7 Layer Taco Dip (with beef)

Yield: 16 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef, cooked
• 2 packs taco seasoning, divided
• 1 (16 ounce) can refried beans
• 8 ounces sour cream
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese
• 1 and 1/2 cups lettuce, washed and shredded
• 1 large tomato, diced
• 1 medium white or yellow onion, diced
• 1 (6 ounce) can black olives
• Optional: green onions, jalapeños, guacamole, salsa (drained)

Directions:

1. Using a 9″ skillet pan, pan fry ground beef on medium heat.
2. Season beef with one pack of taco seasoning (approximately 3 tablespoons) and 3 tablespoons of water. Mix together.
3. Spread seasoned beef evenly into bottom of 9×13 glass dish.
4. In a small glass bowl, microwave refried beans for 30 seconds and stir.
5. Lay refried beans on top of the layer of seasoned beef.
6. Mix cream cheese, sour cream and second pack of taco seasoning (approximately 2 tablespoons). More if desired.
7. Spread cheese mixture evenly on top of refried beans.
8. Top next layers with toppings of your choice. In the pictures above, the next layers are shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and green onions.
9. Set in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

What is taco dip made of?

What to do with leftover 7 layer dip?

How do you thicken taco dip?

How long is taco dip good for in fridge?