Hi Friends!
I’m back with another recipe to share with you guys! This one is a real winner. It’s packed with protein, easy to make and perfect for football season! I made it for hubby and I to eat at half-time over the weekend during the OSU vs. Michigan game. Also, please note that I made an entire pan even though it’s just the two of us. Hello leftovers 
So let’s talk about the layers in this dip. The first layer is beans. I added a protein punch to the beans by adding cottage cheese! You don’t taste it or see it because it’s pureed into the beans. The next layer is quinoa. I always seem to have extra quinoa sitting around in the fridge. It’s great in mexican dishes…and a great protein source…so why not?! Next is a layer of bell peppers and cheese. No explanation needed. Both delicious. Final layer is salsa. I used our favorite store-bought fresh salsa. If your salsa is liquidy like mine, you may want to drain it a bit before adding. After you repeat all those layers again, you stick it in the oven to bake. Then you top it with guacamole (which i add plain greek yogurt to for even more protein), green onions and hot sauce and dig in!
Hot Mexican Layer Dip
Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 30 min
Keywords: bake appetizer side snack healthy vegetarian avocado black beans quinoa Mexican
Ingredients (7 x 12 pan)
For the Beans
- 2 cups black beans
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 Tablespoon cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 cup reduced fat cottage cheese
- 1/4 c water
For the Guac
- 2 avocados, mashed
- juice from 1 lemon
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 1/2 c onion, diced
- 1 jalapeno, minced
- 1/4 c plain Chobani greek yogurt
- 2 Tbsp cilantro, minced
Other ingredients
- 1 c quinoa, cooked
- 1/2 c reduced fat shredded Mexican cheese
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 c salsa
- chopped green onions
- hot sauce
Instructions
1) In a food processor, combine all ingredients for the beans and process until desired consistency is reached. Add more water if necessary.
2) Spread half the bean mixture on the bottom of the pan.
3) Top with 1/2 c cooked quinoa.
4) Add 1/2 the red pepper and 1/4 c cheese.
5) Top with 1/2 c salsa, drained if watery.
6) Repeat layers one more time.
7) Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 min.
8) Remove from oven, top with guacamole, onions and hot sauce.
9) Serve warm with tortilla chips for scooping.
Can you handle that? I sure hope so…because you MUST try this dip! If you don’t have a 7 x 12 pan, because really- who does? Except for me…This would probably work just as well in a 9 x 9 pan.
Happy layering, friends!
Who’s coming over to help me eat this?!
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
Oh my gosh, this looks incredible!! I’ve got to try this out, and it’s Mexican which is by far my favorite cuisine!!
Lisa recently posted..Weekend Festivities
You are on it with the cottage cheese! I am loving it. I’m doing a Mexican layer thing tomorrow… wish I’d thought to add cottage cheese to mine too. Looks awesome!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Work It Out: Kitchen Edition
Ooh, pick me, pick me
Laura recently posted..Seven Days of Salad
you haaaad me at packed with protein.
Miz recently posted..Not all VAMPIRES vanish with Halloween.
This looks like another great recipe! Love that you packed it with protein!
A family favorite! I like the addition of cottage cheese and quinoa.
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..10 Cold Weather Running Tips
I need this NOW.
Madeline @ Food Fitness and Family recently posted..Winter Fashion with No nonsense
This looks seriously so amazing! Love the bean + cottage cheese combo! Genius!
Linz @ Itz Linz recently posted..Turkey Trot with Pro Compression
Looks so delicious! I’ve made layer dips so many times, but never thought to use quinoa (DOY). Now I know
Knowing is half the battle. Thanks for sharing!
Aparna B. recently posted..Let There Be Light! Please?
This look amazing, especially after TDay, I’m already tired of turkey. I love Mexican inspired anything
Lisa @ RunWiki recently posted..10 Holiday Gift Ideas for Runners
I am making this one for football games/party this weekend! I will bring a healthy alternative to what will be a breeding ground for naughty food. Big game this weekend for the Badgers (not like they’re deserving of the championship game but I digress).
It look phenomenal
This is a fantastic recipe! I’m quite certain I would sit down and eat the entire dish of it, which might be a problem….
misszippy recently posted..Looks can be deceiving
This looks mighty tasty…and hot
Kierston recently posted..Staying Connected with mySELF!
YUM.
Danica @ It’s Progression recently posted..{new} track circuit workout!
This looks fantastic! I haven’t really made a spread for football yet this season…thinking I might need to add this to the repetoire this coming weekend!
Rachel @ The Avid Appetite recently posted..Winter Boots
I love the idea of quinoa in the dip!!! This looks fantastic!
this sounds so good!! a mexican dip that is healthy & cheesy
sarah k @ the pajama chef recently posted..Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
Yummy! I always forget about adding cottage cheese to make dishes nice and, well, cheesy
Looks good, Linds!
Paige @ Your Trainer Paige recently posted..2fer 2sday–The Advice I’m Following.
Another delish recipe!! Love that it’s full of protein. I wish I could just take a big forkful out of that picture!
Alexis @ Hummusapien recently posted..Black Lentil Vegetable Soup
I wish I could just live in your kitchen! My mind pinned this before my fingers could actually do the deed!
Amanda @ Run Principessa recently posted..Food is Confusing
looks delicious– and looks healthy too- yay!
Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings recently posted..Beef Spinach Stew
Oh this looks so delicious, and I LOVE the ways you are getting more protein in there! I’m pinning this.
Debra @ Miles to Run recently posted..Nike Women’s Marathon Race Course
Oh man, I LOVE Mexican food. Why is it that it’s so freaking comforting and delicious? And of course, if you have a fresh squeezed margarita along side, it only gets better.
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted..I am a runner.
Thanks for sharing! looks amazing!
Arturo Féliz-Camilo recently posted..Yuca mofongo stuffed roast turkey!
This will be great for the next football party I go to. Sounds absolutely incredible!
Becki @Fight4Wellness recently posted..Ultimate Bootcamp Final Thoughts & Discount!
This looks delicious. I love Mexican layered dip.
Lee recently posted..Coping with Miscarriage
THis looks great!! I’ve tried Ellie Krieger’s Mexican layer dip several times and it was always a hit!! I have a feeling this one’s going to be a crowd pleaser as well
Min recently posted..Herb Crusted Pork Tenderloin