Hot Taco Dip with Cottage Cheese

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Get ready for your new go-to Taco Dip recipe!

Hot Taco Dip with Cottage Cheese presents a unique twist featuring a creamy texture that complements the bold taco flavors. It’s warm, cheesy, and flavorful – what else could you want?

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Living in the Midwest, game day appetizers are a big deal. For years, I made a similar recipe, but without cottage cheese—and let me tell you, the addition takes it to a whole new level of creamy goodness! The best part? No one will even know it’s there. I can’t wait for you to try this irresistible game day snack!

For more appetizer inspiration, try this easy chive dip, bruschetta with goat cheese dip and this delicious cucumber dip.

Why you’ll love this taco dip recipe

1. Surprise ingredient – Incorporating cottage cheese adds an unexpected element of richness to the dip. The cottage cheese and cream cheese combo is perfection!
2. Easy – This recipe doesn’t take too long to throw together, and it’s so delicious.
3. Simple Ingredients – If you don’t already have these ingredients on hand, they are easy to find at your local grocery store.
4. Customizable – It is easy to alter this to your heat preference and add your favorite taco toppings.
5. Filling Appetizer – Have you ever been to a party with many appetizers, but when you left, you were still hungry? With the addition of cottage cheese and ground beef, this dip is filling in the best way!

Cottage Cheese Taco Dip Ingredients

• Ground Beef – I like to use the lowest fat content for a healthier recipe. You could also substitute ground turkey.
• Red Bell Pepper – You could also use yellow or green bell peppers.
• Onion – White, yellow, or red onion will work, and if you have any onion haters, you can either omit the onion or dice them super small.
• Taco Seasoning Packet – Use one package taco seasoning mix or 2 tablespoons of my homemade taco spice.
• Water
• Salsa- Use your favorite store-bought brand or try this 5-Minute Homemade Salsa recipe.
• Hot Sauce – Depending on how spicy you like, you can use 2 – 3 dashes. You can also leave out the hot sauce for a milder dip.
• Cream Cheese – Adds a delicious creaminess to the taco dip. Make sure it is softened before starting the recipe.
• Cottage Cheese – Also called whipped cottage cheese. Ricotta cheese or sour cream would be a good substitute. Greek Yogurt makes this more of a skinny version of classic cream cheese dips.
• Monterey Jack Cheese – This is my preference, but other semi-hard or hard cheeses, such as Colby jack cheese would also work.
• Cheddar Cheese – Again, you can substitute the cheese to your preference and what you have available.
• Garnish with Green Onions and Cilantro.

How to make Taco Dip with cottage cheese

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large skillet, brown ground beef with diced red bell pepper and onion. Drain grease.

Step 2: Add taco seasoning, water, salsa, and hot sauce to the beef mixture and simmer for 5 minutes over medium heat.

Step 3: Blend 1/2 cup of low fat cottage cheese and softened cream cheese in a blender or food processor until the mixture is smooth.

Step 4: Add cottage cheese mixture and half of the shredded cheese. Stir until everything is mixed well. Transfer the dip to an 8 or 9 inch baking dish and add the remainder of the cheese to the top of the dip.

Step 4: Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until the dip is hot and bubbly.

Step 5: Serve immediately with tortilla chips, corn chips, or pita chips.

Taco dip with cottage cheese variations

Taco dip is something that is easy to change up!

• Make it more of a layered dip by serving it cold and adding layers of sour cream, guacamole, lettuce, and tomatoes.
• Change the flavor by adding more mix-ins like diced tomatoes, black beans, and corn.
• Top with shredded lettuce or black olives.
• Add a layer of refried beans to the bottom of the pan.

How to serve this touchdown taco dip

• Serve hot taco dip with corn, tortilla, or pita chips.
• Use red bell peppers instead of chips for dipping.
• Serve the dip with soft taco shells and make little tacos with the mixture.

Storage and make ahead

Cool completely and store any leftover taco dip in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

To make the dip beforehand:

1. Complete all steps up until putting it in the oven.
2. Cover and refrigerate after it is in the pan.
3. When you are ready to serve, pop it in the oven and enjoy it hot!

More appetizer recipes

Stuffed Garlic Bread

Artichoke Dip

Mozzarella Cheese Sticks

Cheesy Bacon Dip

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