Super Easy Super Bowl Taco Dip

This recipe is my Mom's recipe with the exception of the seasoning*.  Every once in a while she would make this in a pie dish and serve it for dinner when I was a kid and it was a huge treat!  When Tim and I got together and I introduced him to this dish, he asked that I make it every New Year's Day and every Super Bowl Sunday!

 What you will need:
1 lb of lean ground beef (the leaner, the better)
1 packet of taco seasoning
1/2 chopped yellow onion
1/2 stalk of green onion, thinly sliced
2 cups of cheese (I like Tillamook Mexican 2 Cheese Blend Pepper Jack & Medium Cheddar Cheese)
1 - 3.8 oz. can of sliced olives
8 oz. of sour cream
1 - 12 oz. can of refried beans (I use Old El Paso Vegetarian)
2 liter/2.2 quart glass dish
Non stick spray

Things to keep in mind:
How spicy?
Spiciness is so individual.  I like pepper jack cheese and jalapenos in my olives.  In other words, I like a little bit of kick, but I don't like my mouth to be on fire.  Make it how you, and your guests, will like it!  If you do not like spice buy a mild cheese and a mild taco seasoning packet.  If you're all about the spice, get spicy cheese, spicy olives, and add paprika and chili powder to your taco seasoning.  Tailor it to your taste!
Do I have to use the same size dish that you use? 
No, you don't have to use the exact same size.  Here is an easy way to find out if your dish will be big enough: the measurements on my 2 liter/2.2 quart glass dish are 11" x 7" x 2".  If I multipy these three numbers I get 154.  So go measure your dish in inches.  Multipy those numbers.  If you come up with a number that is close to 154 (i.e. the 144 to 164 range), you're golden!  If not, be aware that your taco dip will ride very high, or very low in the dish. 

Let's get started!
Preheat oven to 335 degrees.

In a frying pan brown meat with 1/2 chopped onion.  If you use a packet of taco seasoning follow directions on seasoning packet.  I use Taco Bell Taco Seasoning* (Gasp!  The bunny is out of the bag now!).  The directions for the Taco Bell Taco Seasoning tell me to drain any excess fat from the meat.  I recommend that you do this.  The taco dip will be too runny and greasy if you do not.  When meat is done, set aside.

Spray your 2.2quart/2 liter dish lightly with non stick spray.

Now, we layer!  Spread the refried beans on the bottom of your dish.  Spread your seasoned meat on top of refried beans.  Spread sour cream on top of seasoned meat.  On top of sour cream spread 2 cups of cheese OR enough to cover the sour cream.  On top of cheese scatter your olives and thinly sliced green onion (I completely forgot to buy green onions when I made this batch! Grrrrr, this illustrates the importance of making a grocery list!)

Bake in the oven at 335 degrees for 18-20 minutes.  The cheese on top should be thoroughly melted and the corners of the dish bubbling gently.

Voila'!  You're done!  Let this dish rest for a few minutes before serving with your favorite tortilla ships. 

 

~xoxo J.M.Riley