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Best Easy Football-Shaped Taco Dip for Game Day

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This best loaded football-shaped taco dip for game day is a last-minute game-day hero that looks like a football and tastes incredible. Layers of seasoned ground beef, creamy cheese, and fresh toppings come together in under 30 minutes for the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup salsa (mild or medium)
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
  • 1/3 cup diced tomatoes, seeded
  • 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (green parts only)
  • 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños
  • Tortilla chips for serving
  • Extra salsa for serving
  • Sour cream for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes until no longer pink. Drain off excess grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
  3. Add taco seasoning and water to the beef. Stir and simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened. Set aside to cool slightly.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, and salsa. Mix until smooth and fully combined.
  5. Spread the cream cheese mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish, shaping it into a football shape using the back of a spoon. Leave about 1 inch of space around the edges.
  6. Spoon the seasoned ground beef evenly over the cream cheese layer, pressing down gently.
  7. Sprinkle shredded Mexican blend cheese over the entire surface, covering completely.
  8. Bake for 15-18 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly, and edges are just starting to brown.
  9. Remove from oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes. Sprinkle shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, black olives, green onions, and pickled jalapeños over the top.
  10. Serve immediately with tortilla chips, extra salsa, and sour cream on the side.

Notes

Room temperature cream cheese is essential for a smooth texture. Drain the beef well to avoid a greasy dip. Let the dip rest for 2-3 minutes before adding fresh toppings to prevent wilting. The dip can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance (without fresh toppings) and refrigerated; add 5-7 minutes to baking time. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: taco dip, football-shaped dip, game day dip, easy appetizer, loaded taco dip, party dip, ground beef dip, creamy taco dip

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