Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9x9-inch or 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Brown the Beef:
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up into crumbles as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed. Once browned, add the taco seasoning and water, stirring until the beef is evenly coated. Let it simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to combine.
Prepare the Sour Cream Layer:
In a small bowl, mix the sour cream with 1/2 packet of taco seasoning. Stir well to combine.
Assemble the Dip:
Start by spreading the refried beans evenly on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Next, layer the seasoned ground beef over the beans, spreading it evenly.
Then, spread the sour cream mixture over the beef layer.
Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the sour cream layer.
Bake the Dip:
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Add Toppings:
Once the dip is out of the oven, top it with diced tomatoes, green onions, black olives, cilantro, and jalapeño slices, if desired.
Serve and Enjoy:
Serve the dip warm with tortilla chips, crackers, or sliced vegetables for dipping. Enjoy!