Jack-o-Lantern Cheesy Beef Taco Dip
This beef and cheese taco dip might look like it is for Halloween, but it’s really for all year. If you’re having a halloween party and need a great inspired halloween dip recipe, then this jack-o-lantern dip is perfect. It’s cheesy, warm, filled with beef and nacho cheese flavors.
Beef Taco Dip
This awesome recipe for an appetizer can easily be made vegetarian by removing the beef. It’s just as good! Kids adore this dip because it’s festive with the Halloween Jack-o-Lantern face, but it has flavors that kids love too. Best of all, it’s oozy and cheesy, which is always a plus to have on your appetizer menu.
Video: Jack-o-Lantern Cheesy Been Taco Dip – It’s Spooktacular:
How to Serve Halloween Cheese Dip
Outside of the halloween theme, all you have to do is to remove the tortilla chips for the “eyes and nose”. Now you have the perfect appetizer dip or game day dip or tailgating dip or for what ever the occasion calls for. This is one of those cheesy taco dips that will truly be loved by everyone.
- You can serve it as a dip with your favorite chips, bread or vegetables.
- Add the dip to tacos or burritos. It’s amazing when stuffed inside a burrito because it adds extra wonderful taco flavor to everything else that fills up a burrito.
- Appetizer dip platter or dips for taco bar: Serve this dip with a side of guacamole or salsa and you have the perfect taco bar for any occasion you want. But while the Halloween season is here, have fun with the jack-o-lantern face because it’s truly fun to look at and delicious to eat!
- Sandwiches are great for any leftover dip!
- Scrambled eggs are amazing with with the dip. Beat some eggs in a bowl, then add a few tablespoons of the dip in the eggs. Then cook it on the pan like you would any scrambled eggs.
Jack-o-Lantern Cheesy Beef Taco Dip
Ingredients
For the Dip:
- 1/2 lb. (225g) lean ground beef (it's less greasy than regular beef)
- 1 Tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
- 4 green onions , chopped
- 7 oz. (198g) canned diced green chilis
- 2 Tablespoons (30ml) chili powder
- 2 teaspoons (10ml) ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) paprika
- 1 jalapeño , minced (or to taste)
- 1 cup (240ml) mayonnaise
- 8 oz. (226g) cream cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt , or to taste
- 8-12 oz. (226-340g) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- Serve with tortilla chips or crackers
For the Jack-o-lantern face:
- 3 Tortilla chips , preferably blue tortilla chips for eyes and nose
- Jalapeño , for stem
- sliced black olives , for teeth
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 375°F. Set aside about 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, which is for the topping. Remaining cheese is for the dip.
- Heat pan on medium high, add oil and cook beef until brown. Add green onions, green chili, chili powder, ground cumin, paprika, jalapeño. Cook for about 1 minute until combined.
- Add mayo, cream cheese, salt and remainder of the cheddar cheese. Turn heat to low. Stir for about 2 minutes or until cheeses completely melted. Use paper towels to blot any excess grease released from the beef.
- Transfer dip to a round 8-inch baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar cheese.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes or until the top layer of cheese is melted and dip is bubbly.
- Make jack-o-lantern face by using 3 tortilla chips: two for the eyes, one for the nose. Lay black olives to make the teeth and add jalapeño stem on top. Serve with tortilla chips.
Video
Nutrition Information per Serving
More Fun Recipes the Kids will Love
- Halloween Mummy Hot Dogs
- Chili Cheese Mummy Dogs
- Halloween Bat Bites w/ Peanut Butter Chocolate
- Enjoy more of our Dip Recipes Here
- This halloween dip recipe was originally published in 2016 and re-published with updated photos.
- More fun halloween ideas for kids. Have fun with this delicious recipe and if you make it, please share it with us in the comments below. or if you have a photo, please share it with us on our social media Facebook and Instagram. We’d love to see your delicious creations! Thanks so much and happy cooking and eating!
5 Comments on “Jack-o-Lantern Cheesy Beef Taco Dip”
I make this all year round. It’s such a delicious dip! The whole family loves it!
My kids fell in love with dip. The little decoration is really cute too.
This dip has a really awesome kick. I love making this during Halloween.
This is such an adorable recipe for Halloween. Can’t wait to make this in the fall.
I’m so excited to make this for my Halloween party this year. It’s also great tasting.