TARANTULA DIP

Tarantula Dip image

Don't let the name scare you from trying this delicious dip. We loved all the yummy layers. Catie is right, cooking all the ingredients together really helps the flavors meld together. It's a fiesta of flavors in your mouth. We used pinto refried beans with ours but can't wait to try it with black beans next time. Yum!

Provided by Catie B

Time 50m

Number Of Ingredients 6

Ingredients

1 lb ground round; browned and drained (sometimes I add a chopped onion to burger cooking prior to adding mix)
1 pkg taco seasoning mix
2 can(s) refried beans (no lard); or choose your favorite pinto or black
2 jar(s) salsa, hot or mild or one of each; 16 oz.
12 oz cheddar cheese; shredded
As desired sour cream, olives, green onion, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, jalapenos

Steps:

1. After browning and draining beef, add taco seasoning mix, continue as directed on taco package. While cooking, preheat oven to 350˚.
2. Using two casserole dishes, adding the same ingredients and amounts to each, into an approximate 1 1/2 qts layer as the following: About 2 inches of refried beans (about 1/2 can for each layer).
3. Add 1/2 cup salsa, hot in one dish, 1/2 cup mild in the other. You want a good cover layer over beans.
4. Next, 1 cup shredded cheese evenly layered over salsa.
5. Place 1/2 of seasoned ground beef, divided between two casseroles, evenly layered over cheese.
6. Repeat layer of beans for each dish. Repeat layer of salsa - one hot, one mild. Repeat cheese layer. Repeat layer with remaining the seasoned ground beef.
7. Top with final layer of cheese, generously covering beef.
8. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
9. Serve with corn tortilla chips, or cut wedges of flour tortillas and bake until crispy and golden. Use as dipping chips. Can serve with sour cream and jalapenos. Also, can set on side additional add-ins: chopped tomato, shredded lettuce, green onion, olives.
10. Vegetarian Version: Use any of the ground beef substitutes, that works best. You can use a veggie can of chili, but that is not as good as using Crumbles to make the 'beef" layer.
11. Gluten Free: There are taco seasoning mixes that do not have gluten in them. Also, you can create a seasoning combo that will mimic the same with a slight thickener. Will post a recipe for that soon.