Ultimate Seven Layer Taco (Printable)
Chilled Tex-Mex layers with beans, cheeses, guacamole, salsa, and fresh toppings served with tortilla chips.
# What You Need:
→ Base Layers
01 - 1 (16 oz) can refried beans
02 - 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning mix
03 - 1 cup sour cream
04 - 1 cup cream cheese, softened
→ Middle Layers
05 - 1 cup guacamole
06 - 1 cup salsa (mild or medium, drained if watery)
→ Toppings
07 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
08 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
09 - 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce
10 - 1 cup diced tomatoes
11 - 1/2 cup sliced black olives
12 - 1/4 cup sliced green onions
→ For Serving
13 - 1 bag (12 oz) tortilla chips
# How-To:
01 - Combine refried beans and taco seasoning in a medium bowl. Spread evenly in the bottom of a large, shallow serving dish or 9x13-inch glass baking dish.
02 - Blend sour cream and cream cheese in another bowl until completely smooth. Gently spread this mixture over the bean layer.
03 - Carefully spread the guacamole over the cream cheese layer, followed by an even layer of drained salsa.
04 - Sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses evenly over the salsa layer.
05 - Add a layer of shredded lettuce, then top with diced tomatoes, sliced black olives, and green onions.
06 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled with tortilla chips.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything can be prepped ahead, so you're not stuck in the kitchen while guests arrive
- Each layer brings a different texture and flavor that somehow works perfectly together
- It serves a crowd without requiring any actual cooking, just assembly
02 -
- Drain your salsa thoroughly or the layers will start weeping and mixing together within an hour
- Room temperature cream cheese blends infinitely better than cold, so take it out at least an hour before starting
- This doesn't sit beautifully overnight, so assemble it the same day you plan to serve
03 -
- Use an offset spatula if you have one, it makes spreading layers so much easier than a regular knife
- Double the recipe for larger parties because this disappears faster than you'd believe