Yummy Bean and Taco Dip

By Lsweetnell

The original recipe was great, but I have adjusted it to be even better, in my eyes. I love to add jack cheese to the refried beans, makes it rich and creamy. I also added taco meat to the mixture. Though I did not list it in this recipe, I also put a little shredded lettace over top the salsa and before the cheese that would be your choice, but it does add a freshness to the dip.
Original Author: An Affair from the Heart - anaffairfromtheheart.com
Recipe type: Dip
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: YEILD: 9x13 Baking Dish

Ingredients

• 2 cans Old El Paso Refried Beans
• 1 Bar of Monterrey Jack Cheese diced
• 8 ounces sour cream (can serve this on the side as well as guac) (I have family members that do not like sour cream or guacamole.)
• 1 package taco seasoning
• 2 pds ground beef
• 1 (24 ounce) jar chunky salsa
• 1 (4 ounce) can black olives, sliced (optional)
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2-3 green onions, white part only, sliced thinly
• 1 large bag (4 cup size) Shredded Mexican Cheese or cheddar cheese

Details

Adapted from anaffairfromtheheart.com

Preparation

Step 1

Mix together beans, Jack cheese, and heat in microwave until cheese is melted, stirring frequently, into the beans. Brown ground beef with taco seasoning, drain fat. Let cool for 10 minutes. Start by spreading the beans on the bottom and spread into a 9x13 baking dish. Add on top the ground beef mixture. Top with salsa. Top salsa with half of cheese, then tomatoes, onions and olives (can leave olives out, then the rest of the cheese.
Serve with tortilla chips! I prefer the unsalted or low salt restaurant chips, or you can use scoops.
Notes
This makes a large amount of dip in a 9x13 dish. Cut in half to make a 9x9 if you don't have a big crowd to feed.

The plain jack cheese mixed with the beans is so good and creamy I can just sit and eat this alone. Could use plain Havarti cheese, but Cheddar cheese is too strong mixed into the beans and doesn't make for such a creamy mixture. Could use Pepper Jack if you know everyone likes the heat.