Description
This Baked Cowboy Dip is a hearty, flavorful party favorite combining creamy cheese, smoky BBQ sauce, spicy jalapeños, savory ground beef, and crispy fried onions. Perfect for game day or casual gatherings, it’s a warm, cheesy dip packed with black beans, corn, and bold southwestern spices, baked to bubbly perfection and served with crunchy tortilla chips.
Ingredients
Scale
Dairy and Sauces
- 1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup store-bought or homemade BBQ sauce
- 3 tbsp. pickling liquid from jarred jalapeños
- 1 cup shredded smoked gouda
- 1 1/2 cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar
Vegetables and Beans
- 1 (15-oz.) can black beans, drained
- 1 (15-oz.) can corn kernels, drained
- 1/3 cup sliced jalapeños, finely chopped
- 1 lb. (80% lean) ground beef
- 1 bell pepper, seeds and ribs removed, finely chopped
- 2 scallions, white and green parts separated, thinly sliced
Other Ingredients
- 2 tsp. canola oil
- 1 (1-oz.) packet taco seasoning
- 1 cup store-bought crispy fried onions, coarsely chopped
- Tortilla chips, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat and mix dairy base: Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, BBQ sauce, and pickling liquid from the jalapeños, mixing until smooth. Stir in drained black beans, corn, shredded smoked gouda, and the white parts of the scallions.
- Cook beef and peppers: Heat canola oil in a 12-inch cast-iron or ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and finely chopped bell pepper, cooking while breaking up the meat with a spoon until beef is fully cooked and peppers are softened, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Drain excess fat, then stir in taco seasoning. Remove from heat.
- Combine mixtures: Add the cream cheese mixture to the cooked beef mixture in the skillet and stir well to combine all ingredients evenly. Sprinkle the shredded extra-sharp cheddar over the top evenly.
- Bake the dip: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the dip is golden on top and bubbly throughout.
- Add finishing touches and serve: Remove from oven and top the dip with finely chopped jalapeños, crispy fried onions, and the green parts of the scallions. Serve warm alongside tortilla chips for dipping.
Notes
- Use an ovenproof skillet for easy transfer from stovetop to oven.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeños for preferred spice level.
- For a smokier flavor, use smoked gouda and BBQ sauce with a smoky profile.
- Drain excess fat after cooking beef to avoid greasy dip.
- Leftover dip can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Baked Cowboy Dip, cheesy dip, BBQ dip, jalapeño dip, party appetizer, game day recipe, ground beef dip
