You can take this Taco salad dip to any party really. It's just an all-around-amazing dip; sort of like the 7-layer dip, but it holds it's own.
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
Servings: 8-10
Prep Time: 10 minutesmins
Cook Time: 10 minutesmins
Total Time: 20 minutesmins
Ingredients
1package Taco Seasoning Mix, we bought Original Taco by McCormick
1/4cupwater
1lblean ground beef, I purchased 7% fat
18oz package cream cheese
1cupcottage cheese, any size curd
1cupsalsa, we used our roasted salsa, but you can use any salsa
2cups8 oz finely shredded medium cheddar cheese
2cupsshredded lettuce
2cupsfinely chopped tomatoes
1avocado, diced, optional
Cilantro for garnish, optional
Taco Chips, or any kind of firm tortillas to serve
Instructions
In a large skillet, brown ground beef (No need to add oil). Drain with a paper-towel if there is excess liquid. My lean 7% beef didn't have any extra juices to drain.
Combine 1 packet of taco seasoning mix with 1/4 cup water. Once the beef is fully cooked, stir the taco seasoning mix into the beef and remove from heat to cool down.
In the bowl of a food processor, blend 1 cup cottage cheese, 1 package cream cheese and 1 cup salsa until well combined and smooth.
Spread beef into the bottom of a 9x13-inch glass baking pan, or into individual glass ramekins. Top the meat with the blended cream cheese mixture.
Sprinkle evenly with finely grated cheese. Top with sliced lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado and cilantro (if using). If you aren't serving right away, you might squeeze some lime juice over your avocado to keep it from browning, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve with Taco chips; naturally.