Easy Taco Dip Recipe with Ground Beef

Celebrate in style with this lightened up taco dip recipe with ground beef, cream cheese, cottage cheese, zesty tomatoes, and spicy green chiles. It’s such an easy appetizer, great for serving with veggies or tortilla chips. Perfect for football season or a Cinco de Mayo party! {Gluten-free}

Taco dip with ground beef topped with cilantro with a side of chips.

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Easy Taco Dip with Ground Beef

Ground beef cream cheese dip is a classic around here, especially around game day. It’s so rich, satisfying, and full of flavor!

Although it’s usually quite high in fat and calories, this hot taco dip is a lighter version made with extra lean ground beef, high-protein cottage cheese, and low-fat cream cheese. The tomatoes add some extra veggies as well!

Don’t worry – it still tastes amazing and just as good as your classic taco dip!

For more taco-inspired recipes, check out these Taco Stuffed Sweet Potatoes and Mason Jar Taco Salad too!

A close-up side view of the easy taco dip with ground beef in a serving dish.

Why We Love This Easy Taco Dip with Ground Beef

Easy to make: After cooking up some taco meat, melt the cream cheese and cook the tomatoes in the same pan. Then add the rest of the ingredients and cook them until the mixture thickens. Serve and go! It’s that simple.

Crowd pleaser: This cheesy beef taco dip is always such a huge hit! It’s creamy, meaty, spicy, and just so satisfying. It’s a fantastic option for game days, Cinco de Mayo, or even an extra special Taco Tuesday.

Healthier version: By using extra lean ground beef and low-fat dairy products, you can easily make this beefy taco dip lower in fat and calories. This version is lower in sodium too!

Ingredient Notes

Individually portioned ingredients for the taco dip with ground beef.

Ground beef: Use extra lean ground beef and strain off any excess grease.
Taco seasoning: Either store-bought or homemade taco seasoning will work.
Cream cheese: Look for a low-fat option like Neufchatel.
Low fat cottage cheese: This will add a lot of protein and help keep this party dip lower in fat.
Tomatoes: Add a whole can of low-sodium diced tomatoes. Fire-roasted tomatoes are a great option, too!
Green chiles: Canned green chiles add a wonderful heat and flavor. Adjust the heat to your preference (mild, medium, or hot).
Mexican 4-cheese blend: This adds a wonderful cheesy flavor.
Green onions: The onions add a freshness to help balance the rich, creamy meat.
Cilantro leaves (optional): Garnish with chopped cilantro for a little color contrast.

Additional Toppings (optional):

Shredded lettuce
Diced tomatoes
Sliced black olives
Sliced jalapeno
Additional shredded cheese

How to Make Taco Dip with Ground Beef – Step-by-Step Instructions

Cooked and crumbled ground beef in a frying pan.

Cream cheese and tomatoes added to the ground beef mixture in the frying pan.

In a large nonstick skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until thoroughly cooked; drain fat. Stir in taco seasoning and mix until combined. Set aside in a bowl.
In the same skillet, heat cream cheese and tomatoes over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cream cheese is smooth.
Stir in cottage cheese, chiles, cheese and beef mixture. Bring mixture to a simmer, lower heat to medium low and continue simmering for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens slightly. Allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes. It will thicken more as it cools.
Pour into a heatproof serving dish. Sprinkle green onion and cilantro over top. You can also top with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, olives, jalapenos and extra cheese, if desired. Serve warm with tortilla chips.

Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!

Recipe Tips:

Be sure to use extra lean ground beef and drain it really well to prevent too much grease from accumulating in the dip.

This taco dip recipe also tastes great with extra toppings like shredded lettuce, fresh tomatoes, olives, cheese, diced avocado and jalapeno peppers.

The dip may seem on the thinner side when you first mix it all together in the pan, but it will thicken up as it simmers and cools.

The taco beef dip in a serving dish with tortilla chips.

Recipe FAQs

How do make taco dip healthier?

Creamy taco dip is a must at many events, but it’s not usually the healthiest option on its own! To lighten it up, start by reducing the fat content by choosing extra lean ground beef and lower fat dairy products. It’ll still be a hearty appetizer, but it will be a little lighter.

I also recommend using low-sodium taco seasoning and tomatoes as you’re likely already consuming lots of salt from the chips and other appetizers. These little changes make a big difference without compromising on flavor!

Can you make this taco dip ahead of time?

Yes! If you’re in a time crunch, make the dip the day before then place the entire mixture into the slow cooker the next day to come back to temperature. Just be sure to reheat it as quickly as possible (within an hour). You can also warm it on the stove or place the mixture into a baking dish to reheat it gently in the oven.

Do you put taco seasoning before or after cooking beef?

It’s best the brown ground beef first, then add the taco seasoning. This makes sure the seasoning adheres to the meat and doesn’t run off in the excess fat.

Storage Guidelines

When you’re serving this cheesy ground beef taco dip, it’s best to keep it warm! Try serving it in a crockpot on the warm or low heat setting. It should be held at at least 140 degrees F.

After your party, let it cool to room temperature for no more than 2 hours then store the leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

To reheat, either microwave the cold taco dip in 30-second intervals or warm it over medium-low heat in a saucepan on the stove.

Someone using a chip to scoop the taco dip with ground beef.

Serving Suggestions

This delicious taco dip with ground beef is traditionally served with tortilla or corn chips, but you can pair it with sliced bell peppers and celery sticks as well.

Try serving it with these other healthy appetizers to complete the feast:

Recipe Variations

Slow cooker taco dip: After you brown the ground beef, add it to the slow cooker with the cream cheese and tomatoes like normal. Let it cook down before adding the other ingredients. It’ll stay nice and warm during your party!
Use it in taco salads: Although this dip is quite rich, it’s really delicious and would make a great topping for your taco salad! Just add all your favorite taco toppings and serve like normal.
Use ground turkey: For an even leaner dish, replace the ground beef with ground turkey!
Try leftover taco meat: You can easily cook the ground beef the day before and then use it to make the cheesy taco dip the next day.
For even more flavor: Mix some of this homemade Hello Fresh Tex Mex Paste in with the beef and taco seasoning mixture for an extra kick of flavor.

A close-up view of the easy taco dip in a white square serving dish.

More Tasty Dip Recipes

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Cheesy taco beef dip in a square dish with tortilla chips.

Course Appetizer, Snack