5-Ingredient Football Dip: Ready In 35 Minutes

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If you’re looking for the perfect game-day dip, this is it. It’s creamy, cheesy, meaty, and has a spicy kick from salsa. This dip is layered, and then baked so the flavors meld together and you can customize it by using the protein of your choice, and as many ad-ons as you wish. This quick and easy dip will be the MVP of snacks!

5-Ingredient Football Dip

Ingredients For The Best Football Dip Ever:

  • Ground beef ( 1 lb ): Adds protein, and savory flavor and is the hearty, meaty base of the dip. It pairs perfectly with the creamy and cheesy layers. You can swap it for ground turkey, chicken, or sausage for a different flavor profile.
  • Taco seasoning ( 1 tbsp ): Has the perfect mix of spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika, and adds a slightly tangy and zesty taste.
  • Cream cheese ( 8 oz ): Creates a creamy and rich layer that balances the spiciness of the taco seasoning and salsa. It needs to be at room temperature for easy mixing and will hold the dip together for rich and smooth bites every time.
  • Salsa (mild, medium, or hot) ( 8 oz ): Adds tangy, zesty, spicy, and slightly sweet flavors to the dip. You can choose the level of heat that suits you best. It also keeps the dip juicy and brings a burst of tomato goodness that goes very well with the creamy layers.
  • Shredded cheddar (1 1/2 cups ): makes for the ultimate cheesy topping. It complements the seasoned meat, providing that gooey layer everyone loves.

How To Make 5-Ingredient Football Dip

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until no pink is left. Drain the excess fat and mix in the taco seasoning.
  2. Layer the dip:
  3. Spread the softened cream cheese on the bottom of a pie dish
    • Pour the salsa over the cream cheese
    • Spoon the meat over the salsa
    • Sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the meat
  4. Cover the dip with foil and bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

5-Ingredient Football Dip

Can I Prepare This Dip Ahead Of Time?

You can cook the ground beef, layer the ingredients in a pie dish, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate it for 1-2 days prior to baking and serving it. When ready, just remove the plastic and pop it in the oven!

Serving Suggestions: 

  1. Tortilla Chips: This is the classic way to serve the dip, and always a hit. Tortilla chips are crunchy and they go perfectly with the creamy, cheesy dip.
  2. Fritos: This is the way to go if you want something a little more flavorful. They add an extra kick of flavor and crunch.
  3. Toasted Baguette Slices: For a more hearty option,  serve with toasted baguette slices. They are great for scooping up those layers of flavor.
  4. Celery and Carrot Sticks: These are a great option if you want to keep it light. Celery and carrot sticks offer a fresh, crunchy option.

Tips to make the best Football Dip: 

  • Use a Slow Cooker: If you want to make your life even simpler, throw all ingredients into the slow cooker and cook on low for 2-4 hours. It’s a great way to keep it warm during the game as well.
  • Swap the Meat: Use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version, or use sausage or chorizo for an even more flavorful dip!
  • Try Different Cheeses: Don’t love cheddar? Use Monterey Jack, American cheese, or any melty cheese of your choice.
  • No Cream Cheese? No problem! Use sour cream or Greek yogurt instead to make the creamy base.
  • Turn Up the Heat: Like it spicy? Use hot salsa, add chopped jalapeños, or drizzle a little hot sauce on top.
  • Add Some Veggies: If you want more flavor and texture, toss in chopped onions, garlic, bell peppers, fire-roasted corn, or beans when you cook the meat.
  • Make it Lighter: Use low-fat cream cheese, and leaner meats like chicken or turkey, and cut back on the cheese for a healthier version. You can even top it with fresh tomatoes or green onions instead of cheese.
5-Ingredient Football Dip

5-Ingredient Football Dip: Ready In 35 Minutes

If you’re looking for the perfect game day dip, this creamy, cheesy, and meaty dip is it!
5 from 1 vote
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8 SERVINGS
Calories: 276kcal
Author: Kathy

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Pie dish
  • Oven

Ingredients

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 tbsp taco seasoning
  • 1-8 oz package cream cheese, softened
  • 1-8 oz jar salsa (mild, medium, or hot)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 F. Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat until no pink is left. Drain the excess fat and mix in the taco seasoning.
  • Layer the dip:
    - Spread the softened cream cheese on the bottom of a pie dish
    - Pour the salsa over the cream cheese
    - Spoon the meat over the salsa
    - Sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the meat
  • Cover the dip with foil and bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Nutrition

Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 3.5g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 353mg | Potassium: 6mg | Sugar: 1.5g | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 15mg

Frequently Asked Questions about 5-Ingredient Football Dip

5-Ingredient Football Dip

1. Can I Use A Different Type Of Meat Instead Of Ground Beef?

Absolutely. You can use ground turkey, chicken, sausage, Mexican chorizo, or a vegan meat substitute.

2. Can I Make This Dip In The Slow Cooker?

Yes! Combine all the ingredients in the pot of your slow cooker and cook on low for 2-4 hours, then keep it on warm while serving.

3. What Other Cheese Can I Use Instead Of Cheddar?

You can use American processed cheese, Monterey Jack, or your favorite melting cheese!

4. What If I Don’t Have Cream Cheese?

There is no direct substitute for cream cheese, but using sour cream or even Greek yogurt can provide a creamy layer.

5. How Can I Make The Dip Spicier?

You can play with the level of spiciness by using mild, medium, or hot salsa. If hot salsa is not hot enough for you, add chopped jalapenos or a couple of dashes of hot sauce.

6. Can I Add Vegetables To This Dip?

You certainly can. Adding chopped onions, bell pepper, or even corn and beans to the meat while cooking adds another layer of flavor and nutrition!

7. Is There A Way To Make This Dip Healthier?

Using low-fat cream cheese, lean ground beef like turkey or chicken, and adding less cheddar cheese (or not adding it altogether) will reduce the calories. You can top it with green onions, sliced black olives, or fresh tomatoes instead of using cheese.

8. How Should I Serve This Dip?

Serve it with tortilla chips, Fritos, or a toasted sliced baguette. You could also go for veggie sticks like celery and carrots for a healthier option.

 

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Friday 27th of December 2024

Alyson

Friday 18th of October 2024

I made this with a twist.. I mixed all ingredients together plus added can of drained corn & 1 cup of queso cheese dip. And served warm from a crock pot. Such a big hit!!

Alyssa Riv

Sunday 18th of August 2024

Everyone at the football watch party loved it! The extra sharp cheddar gave it a strong flavor. I added sweet corn and a dash of cayenne for some extra kick. Got multiple requests for the recipe. Adding slivered almonds was an unexpected but great choice