You know that seven layer dip you’re so happy to see when you walk into a party? The cool and creamy one with beans and cheese and seasoned sour cream? Yeah, that’s the one. But what if you took the concept of that dip and baked it? So it was ooey-gooey, maybe a little beefy, and just totally warming to the soul? It’s a good plan, right? Maybe even a great plan — it’s Baked Mexican Layer Dip.

If you’re asking me, melty ooey-gooey cheese is better in a dip than cold cheese any day and that’s where the glory of this dip lies. Well, in that and in the seasoned beef and bean mixture, which is where this all starts. You’ll need a pound of ground beef, that you brown up and season with cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder. If you’re more of a seasoning blend type of person, you can swap in a packet of taco seasoning instead of those spices, no problem.

Mix in the refried beans and then spread that mixture across the bottom of a baking dish. (9×13 works well.) Top it with your favorite salsa. Top it with diced green chilies and bake for thirty minutes.

Then comes the best part — the cheese. Scatter it over the top and return it to the oven just long enough for it to melt and get a ‘lil bubbly.

Once it’s out of the oven, you can top it with your favorite taco-type toppings. We like sour cream, sliced olives, diced tomato, green onion, and a bit of cilantro. But really the world is your oyster! You could use some sliced avocado, some guac, some queso fresco…

But tortilla chips are clearly the only choice for dipping. And get plenty, because this is going to be popular, I promise.