Retro Taco Pizza (Layered Taco Dip)
Layered Taco Pizza Dip – This easy retro recipe looks like a pizza but is made with all of your favorite taco goodies, including diced tomatoes, sliced olives, and LOTS of cheese. Mexican pizza dip is perfect to customize and serve as a fun shareable appetizer or party snack!
Why We Love This Layered Taco Pizza Dip Recipe
Now I am sure you’re wondering, like I was, what exactly is Taco Pizza Dip?
This is a no-cook layered dip recipe that Lt. Dan’s mom and grandma have made for years. It features thin layers of your favorite taco toppings – like chopped tomatoes and shredded cheese – served in a deep dish with plenty of dippers to go around.
By now you’ve probably realized that the term “pizza” is a descriptor for the look of the dish, not for the actual ingredients. There is no crust or pizza sauce… However, the family always made this recipe in thin layers on a round pizza pan, so it looks like a pizza, even though it’s a wonderfully simple taco dip!
Customize the easy taco dip recipe to meet your family’s tastes by loading up Mexican pizza dip with more add-ons, or skip any suggested ingredients you’re not a fan of. Whatever you choose to include on here, this effortless layer dip can be made ahead in only a matter of minutes for potlucks, picnics, barbecues, game day celebrations, and all of your laid-back gatherings.
Ingredients You Need
There are only 6 ingredients in this easy no-bake dip recipe. Feel free to substitute or add ingredients as you prefer to make your perfect version. Here’s what we like to include in our layered dip:
- Cream cheese – for a creamy, tangy base
- Mild taco sauce – or medium or spicy, if you like
- Shredded cheddar cheese – we use a 4 cheese Mexican blend
- Diced tomato – fresh diced tomatoes taste best for a no-cook dip
- Chopped scallions or green onions – for a bit of bright, fresh flavor
- Sliced black olives – either ready sliced in a can or you can slice your own
Plus you’ll need dippers, like tortilla corn chips or fresh veggies.
Optional Extra Taco Pizza Dip Add-Ons –
Build up the layers of this dip with…
- Shredded iceberg lettuce
- Fresh cilantro
- Cooked taco meat (cooled) made with ground beef or ground turkey
- Diced avocado or homemade guacamole
- Pico de gallo or salsa instead of plain chopped tomatoes
- Sour cream
- Refried beans
- Black beans
Or any other of your favorite taco toppings!
How to Make Layered Taco Pizza Dip
Follow these 5 simple steps for making the best layered dip with your favorite taco toppings:
- To start, set out a large (12-14 inch) round dish or pizza pan. You can, of course, layer the dip into a large square or rectangle dish… But that wouldn’t be quite as much fun.
- Next, use a spatula to spread the softened cream cheese in an even layer over the bottom surface of the pan.
- Pour the taco sauce over the cream cheese and spread into a thin layer.
- Then sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the taco sauce.
Pro Tip: Be gentle when spreading the sauce on… You want it to sit on top of the cream cheese, and not be mixed in.
- Chop the tomato, slice the scallions, and drain the olives. Sprinkle all three toppings over the surface of the “pizza.”
You can either serve immediately, or make ahead and cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you’re ready to enjoy. Personally I think it’s best after it has sat in the fridge for a bit to let the layers settle together and get deliciously chilled.
What to Serve with Layered Taco Dip
Enjoy this thick, creamy and cheesy taco-tastic dip with crunchy tortilla chips – and it’s still a gluten-free snack!
For a lighter(ish) appetizer that’s also GF-friendly, serve Mexican pizza dip with fresh cut veggies like carrots, celery sticks, or hearty slices of bell peppers.
Add it to a buffet spread alongside other southwest-inspired snack recipes! Taco “pizza” is perfect with Mexican Corn Dip, Smoked Queso Dip, and King Ranch Chicken Dip.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you choose to include refried beans in your layered taco pizza you’ll be happy to know that, no, you don’t need to heat them first. Just give them a good stir first so they are smooth and spreadable.
Layered taco dip will keep well for up to a week in the refrigerator. Cover the dish securely with plastic cling wrap, or use a spatula to transfer to another container with a lid. Be careful to keep the layers intact as much as you can!
No, I don’t recommend trying to freeze it. Freezing and thawing will drastically change the creamy dip texture.
Looking for More Fun Party Snacks? Be Sure to Also Try:
- The Best Homemade Bean Dip
- Low Carb Burger Bites
- Stovetop Jalapeno Popper Dip
- Easy Retro Sausage Balls
- 3-Ingredient Mini Stuffed Peppers
- Smoked Salmon Dip
- Shredded Chicken Tacos
- 3-Ingredient Magic Taco Dip
Get the Complete (Printable!) Layered Mexican Pizza Dip Recipe Below. Enjoy!
Retro Taco Pizza (Layered Taco Dip)
Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese softened
- 8 ounce mild taco sauce or Cholula hot sauce
- 8 ounce shredded Mexican cheese blend
- ½ cup diced tomato roma or plum tomatoes
- ½ cup chopped scallions
- ½ cup sliced black olives drained
- Dippers: tortilla chips or fresh cut vegetables
Instructions
- Set out a 12-14 inch round dish or pizza pan. Spread the softened cream cheese, in an even layer, over the surface of the pan.
- Pour the taco sauce over the cream cheese and spread into a thin layer. Then sprinkle the shredded cheese over the taco sauce.
- Chop the tomato and scallions. Drain the olives. Sprinkle all three toppings over the surface of the “pizza”. Serve with tortilla chips or cut vegetables.
This is really ahh-mazing!! A new favorite at my house!
best kind of retro – food retro – and when I just want a fun calorie splurge, thank you!
The whole family LOVED this!! It was so easy and just loaded with flavor. We are adding to our Super Bowl menu!
My friends and I all loved this taco dip! It was such a great flavor combination and it went fast!