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This easy chili cheese dip has just 3 ingredients and is done in under 20 minutes. It’s the perfect cheesy appetizer for game day or any party! There’s nothing fake in this appetizer, just delicious gooey chili flavor!
BEST Homemade Chili Cheese Dip
This easy cheesy chili dip is comfort food at it’s finest: a hot layer of chili and cream cheese mixed with cheddar cheese. It’s such a delicious way to eat your weight in tortilla chips. It has just three ingredients and is so sinfully good!
When I was thinking about what to make for my newest game day appetizer, I knew I wanted to do a hot and cheesy dip. I’ve made pizza dip before, as well as a cheesy pesto dip, and both were hits. Chili dip was my next great idea.
It turns out that chili cheese dip isn’t just a good appetizer, it’s a fantastic dinner too. He inhaled this dip while watching the playoff games last weekend!
3 Ingredients Needed
- Cream Cheese – Make sure that it’s softened. I don’t recommend using low fat or nonfat cream cheese – the dip will taste better with regular full fat.
- Cheese – I also use real cheddar cheese (not the fake stuff – I know traditionally it’s made with velveeta cheese but…no) because I love the flavor of cheddar cheese on chili. You can also use pepper jack cheese.
- Chili – When it comes to chili, just be sure to get a brand and flavor you like. It’s easy to make this dip vegetarian by using vegetarian chili, or use one with meat or beans as you wish. We love using hormel chili!
How to make Chili Cheese Dip
- Stir together cream cheese and chili until combined. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese.
- Spread mixture in the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate or similarly sized pan. Sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese.
- Bake until hot and cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes. Garnish with cilantro.
Tip From Dorothy
Expert Tips
- You can also do this in the slow cooker – see my crockpot chili cheese dip recipe for how to. You can also make that one on the stove top.
- Storage: Store leftover chili cheese dip in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Reheat it in the microwave.
- Serve with tortilla chips, Fritos, or Frito Scoops.
- Want it spicier? Add some diced or pickled jalapenos on top!
Chili Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounces (226g) Cream Cheese , softened
- 1 15 ounce can chili (with or without beans) , any brand/flavor
- 2-3 cups cheddar cheese , shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Stir together cream cheese and chili until combined (mixture will be chunky). Stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
- Spread mixture in the bottom of a 9-inch pie plate or similarly sized pan. Sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese.
- Bake until hot and cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips.
- For a spicier dish, drizzle dip with hot sauce (to taste) after baking.
Recipe Video
Recipe Nutrition
Other appetizer recipes that are perfect for game day:
- Peanut Butter Football Dip also uses Challenge cream cheese.
- 7 Layer Pizza Dip is also a hot cheesy dip!
- Cheesy Pesto Dip is another fantastic appetizer.
- Make a sweet appetizer with my Peanut Butter Cheese Ball!
Love this recipe, I bri g a double batch when invited to game night, parties etc. I bring a copy of it on recipe cards when asked!
Hi there,
This looks so amazing and I would love to try it out but I am from South Africa, and we do not get canned chili.
Is it a chilli sauce or crushed chillies? Do you perhaps have a recipe so I can make my own? 🙂 🙂
Geeze AGNESS, who cares if you’ve been making this 20 years. Why you even on her recipe for then.
Excellent! Thanks for sharing is amazing and my first time making exactly as your recipe.
Much appreciated by me.
I’ve been making this for about 20 years, I don’t think its your original recipe.
Oh my gosh, wow! I could go for this right now!
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