By Becky Hardin
Updated Jun 10, 2025
This Layered Taco Dip is the perfect appetizer for serving up at game day, barbecues, or any time you have a crowd to feed. You can guarantee that everyone will love this crowd-pleasing Easy Taco Dip dip so much so that you’ll probably need a double batch!
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Taco Dip Recipe
This Layered Taco Dip has become my go-to appetizer for everything from game nights to casual get-togethers. With just five simple ingredients—cream cheese, salsa, lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes—it’s quick to assemble and always a crowd-pleaser. I love how customizable it is too; sometimes I add guacamole, ground beef, or even leftover chili for an extra twist. Whether you serve it cold or warm, it’s guaranteed to disappear fast.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature (1 brick)
- ▢ ¼ cup salsa store-bought or homemade
- ▢ 2 cups chopped iceberg lettuce (about ½ head)
- ▢ 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ▢ 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- ▢ 2 tablespoons taco sauce optional, for topping
Video
Instructions
- Using a hand mixer, mix the softened cream cheese and salsa until well combined. 8 ounces cream cheese, ¼ cup salsa
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the bottom of a small casserole dish.
- Layer with lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes, as well as any additional toppings 2 cups chopped iceberg lettuce, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- Drizzle a little taco sauce over top 2 tablespoons taco sauce
- Serve with sliced veggies, tortilla chips, or your favorite crackers.
Equipment
- Hand Mixer
Becky’s Tips
- If you’re feeding a large crowd, I recommend doubling the recipe.
- I think this dip is best served as a cold dip . If you’d like melted cheese, pop it in the oven (350°F) for 5-10 minutes or under the broiler to melt the top layer, and then add lettuce and tomatoes.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Taco Dip Step by Step
Combine cream cheese with salsa: Using a hand mixer, mix the 8 ounces of softened cream cheese and 1/4 cup of salsa until well combined.
Transfer to a casserole dish : Spread the cream cheese mixture over the bottom of a small casserole dish.
Add the toppings: Layer with 2 cups chopped lettuce, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, and 1 cup chopped tomatoes, as well as any additional toppings .
Drizzle with taco sauce, serve, and enjoy. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of taco sauce over top and serve with sliced veggies, tortilla chips, or your favorite crackers.
Variations
Have fun with this recipe and make it your own! Change it up by adding an extra layer between the cream cheese and the toppings. Some of my favorites include creamy guacamole , refried beans . Or to turn the dip into a more satisfying dish, I’ll add ground beef , chicken, or turkey. I’ll even go all out and add leftover chili as one of the layers. When I do, I like to warm the dip and then top it with lettuce and tomatoes to keep the delicious textures.
You can also try adding black olives, cilantro, sour cream, avocado, bell peppers, fresh chili peppers, jalapeños, and other cheeses such as Mexican blend or Monterey jack.
How to Store
Store leftover taco dip in an airtight container for up to 1 day fully assembled. You can store the cream cheese mixture separately from the toppings for up to 3 days. Assemble just before serving. I do not recommend freezing this dip.
Serving Suggestions
I love to serve this dip with tortilla chips , but you can use any kind of chip you prefer. You can also serve it with crackers or veggie sticks such as sliced carrots, celery, and bell peppers.
more layered dips we love
7 Layer Dip
Fritos Mexican Layered Dip
Layered Bean Dip Recipe (Guacamole Bean Dip)
7 Layer Greek Dip Recipe
Taco Dip Recipe
Equipment
- Hand Mixer
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese room temperature (1 brick)
- ¼ cup salsa store-bought or homemade
- 2 cups chopped iceberg lettuce (about ½ head)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons taco sauce optional, for topping
Instructions
- Using a hand mixer, mix the softened cream cheese and salsa until well combined. 8 ounces cream cheese, ¼ cup salsa
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the bottom of a small casserole dish.
- Layer with lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes, as well as any additional toppings 2 cups chopped iceberg lettuce, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup chopped tomatoes
- Drizzle a little taco sauce over top 2 tablespoons taco sauce
- Serve with sliced veggies, tortilla chips, or your favorite crackers.
Video
Notes
- If you’re feeding a large crowd, I recommend doubling the recipe.
- I think this dip is best served as a cold dip . If you’d like melted cheese, pop it in the oven (350°F) for 5-10 minutes or under the broiler to melt the top layer, and then add lettuce and tomatoes.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
