Can I make this lower carb?

Yes. Replace refried beans with mashed cauliflower and serve with sliced peppers, cucumber, or lettuce cups instead of chips.

Assemble up to the cheese layer, chill up to 24 hours, then bake and top just before serving.

Warm High-Protein Layered Enchilada Dip

Name: Warm High-Protein Layered Enchilada Dip
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: olive oil spray (for skillet); 450 g ground beef (90 to 95% lean); 1.5 tbsp taco seasoning; 430 g refried beans (mashed smooth); 225 g enchilada sauce (red sauce, mild or medium); 450 g cottage cheese (2% fat); 30 g chipotle peppers in adobo (chopped); 15 ml adobo sauce; 2 cloves garlic (peeled); 1.5 tsp onion powder; 1.5 tsp paprika; 110 g cheddar (shredded); 45 g mayonnaise; 30 g greek yogurt (low fat); 30 ml lime juice (from 2 limes); 20 g cilantro (large handful); 1 small jalapeno (deseeded for milder heat); 1 clove garlic (peeled); salt (pinch, or to taste); 120 g avocado (diced); 40 g black olives (sliced); 1 small jalapeno (thinly sliced); cilantro (finely chopped)

Prep time

15 mins

Cook time

25 mins

Total time

40 mins

Servings

Plan This Recipe

Save this recipe to one of your meal plans or browse your existing plans.

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Warm High-Protein Layered Enchilada Dip

This warm layered enchilada dip is built for easy hosting: beefy, saucy, creamy, and ready for sharing straight from the baking dish. The cottage cheese queso keeps the texture rich while adding practical protein.

It works for game-day tables, family movie nights, or quick meal-prep portions paired with vegetables and a carb side.

Why This Recipe Works

Layering keeps clear flavor contrast in each bite: savory seasoned beef, tangy enchilada sauce, creamy chipotle queso, and a bright jalapeno-lime finish.

Blending the queso and sauce also gives a smoother result than hand-mixing and helps the dip spread evenly.

Ingredient Highlights

Lean ground beef brings strong savory depth and protein. Refried beans add body and fiber, while enchilada sauce binds the base so the dip stays scoopable.

Chipotle peppers and adobo add smoky heat without needing many extra spices. Avocado and cilantro on top balance the richer baked layers.

How to Make It

Brown the beef until finely crumbled, then layer beans, beef, and enchilada sauce in your baking dish. Spread on the blended cottage cheese queso, top with cheddar, and bake until bubbling.

While it bakes, blend the jalapeno-lime sauce so it is ready to drizzle right before serving.

Chef's Tips

If your enchilada sauce is very salty, use less taco seasoning in the beef. Taste the jalapeno-lime sauce before serving and add extra lime for brightness.

Let the dip rest briefly after baking so it sets and scoops more cleanly.

Easy Swaps

Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter profile. For lower carb, swap refried beans with mashed cauliflower.

If chipotle is too spicy, use roasted red pepper in the queso and keep paprika for warmth.

Make-Ahead and Storage

You can assemble the dip in advance and refrigerate before baking. Leftovers keep for up to 3 days and reheat well in oven or microwave.

Store the jalapeno-lime sauce separately and add after reheating for best flavor.

Serving & Goal Fit

One serving is 1 of 8 portions (about 190 g). On training days, add +50 g cooked rice or +1 piece fruit. On rest days, reduce carbs slightly, such as -50 g cooked rice.

Protein swaps: ground turkey or extra-firm tofu crumbles both work well with the enchilada seasoning profile. Vegetable additions or dippers: broccoli, green beans, spinach, peas, mushrooms, onions, courgette, frozen mixed veg, or tenderstem broccoli.

Prep time

15 mins

Cook time

25 mins

Total time

40 mins

Servings

Plan This Recipe

Save this recipe to one of your meal plans or browse your existing plans.

Browse Meal Plans

Warm High-Protein Layered Enchilada Dip

It works for game-day tables, family movie nights, or quick meal-prep portions paired with vegetables and a carb side.

Why This Recipe Works

Layering keeps clear flavor contrast in each bite: savory seasoned beef, tangy enchilada sauce, creamy chipotle queso, and a bright jalapeno-lime finish.

Blending the queso and sauce also gives a smoother result than hand-mixing and helps the dip spread evenly.

Ingredient Highlights

Lean ground beef brings strong savory depth and protein. Refried beans add body and fiber, while enchilada sauce binds the base so the dip stays scoopable.

Chipotle peppers and adobo add smoky heat without needing many extra spices. Avocado and cilantro on top balance the richer baked layers.

How to Make It

Brown the beef until finely crumbled, then layer beans, beef, and enchilada sauce in your baking dish. Spread on the blended cottage cheese queso, top with cheddar, and bake until bubbling.

While it bakes, blend the jalapeno-lime sauce so it is ready to drizzle right before serving.

Chef's Tips

If your enchilada sauce is very salty, use less taco seasoning in the beef. Taste the jalapeno-lime sauce before serving and add extra lime for brightness.

Let the dip rest briefly after baking so it sets and scoops more cleanly.

Easy Swaps

Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter profile. For lower carb, swap refried beans with mashed cauliflower.

If chipotle is too spicy, use roasted red pepper in the queso and keep paprika for warmth.

Make-Ahead and Storage

You can assemble the dip in advance and refrigerate before baking. Leftovers keep for up to 3 days and reheat well in oven or microwave.

Store the jalapeno-lime sauce separately and add after reheating for best flavor.

Serving & Goal Fit

One serving is 1 of 8 portions (about 190 g). On training days, add +50 g cooked rice or +1 piece fruit. On rest days, reduce carbs slightly, such as -50 g cooked rice.