Description
This creamy, cheesy Bean Dip is a flavorful and easy-to-make appetizer perfect for gatherings or game day. Made with pinto beans, cream cheese, sour cream, taco seasoning, salsa, and topped with melted cheddar or Mexican blend cheese, it offers a delightful combination of smooth and chunky textures with a zesty Mexican flair. Baked to bubbly perfection, this dip pairs wonderfully with tortilla chips or can be used as a tasty filling for tacos or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 30 ounce can pinto beans (two 15 oz. cans)
- 4 ounces cream cheese (1/2 block), softened
- 2/3 cup sour cream
Seasoning and Flavorings
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1/4 cup salsa (your favorite kind)
Cheese
- 1 cup freshly shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese, divided (1/4 cup for mixing, 3/4 cup for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees F to prepare it for baking the dip.
- Drain the pinto beans: Pour the beans into a colander or strainer and let them sit for a few minutes to remove excess liquid without rinsing, as this helps maintain flavor and texture.
- Mash the beans and mix: Transfer beans to a large mixing bowl and mash them with a potato masher or forks until mostly smooth with some chunks. Add softened cream cheese and mash until well combined. Stir in sour cream, taco seasoning, salsa, and 1/4 cup shredded cheese until evenly mixed.
- Bake the dip: Spoon the mixture into an 8-inch baking dish or similar size, then sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve warm as a dip with tortilla chips, as a taco filling, or alongside Mexican dishes.
Notes
- Do not rinse the canned beans; draining and sitting in the strainer is sufficient to remove excess liquid while keeping flavor intact.
- You can substitute cream cheese with a softened Neufchatel cheese for lower fat content.
- Using Mexican blend cheese adds more complex flavors than cheddar alone.
- The dip can be made ahead of time and refrigerated; bake just before serving.
- Enjoy leftovers by reheating gently in the microwave or oven.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Keywords: bean dip, pinto beans dip, cheesy bean dip, Mexican dip, appetizer, party dip, baked dip, creamy bean dip
