Description
This cozy chili cheese dip combines spicy chili, creamy cheeses, and savory seasonings for the ultimate fall appetizer. Quick to make and always a crowd-pleaser, it’s perfect for game nights, parties, or lazy evenings at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups homemade or canned chili (spicy or mild, your choice; use vegetarian chili for a meatless option)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 2 green onions, sliced (for topping)
- 1 jalapeño, diced (optional, for topping)
- Tortilla chips, for serving
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese and sour cream. Stir until smooth and fluffy. Add chili powder and cumin, mixing well. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Stir in chili until evenly distributed. If chili is chunky, mash any large pieces for a scoopable texture.
- Spread the creamy chili mixture evenly into an oven-safe dish (8×8 inch).
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbling around the edges. Check at 15 minutes and bake up to 5 more minutes if needed.
- Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with sliced green onions and diced jalapeño.
- Serve hot with tortilla chips. If dip thickens as it cools, stir or reheat briefly.
Notes
For a vegetarian version, use meatless chili and plant-based cheese. To keep warm for parties, transfer to a slow cooker on ‘warm.’ For extra spice, add hot sauce or more jalapeños. Use freshly shredded cheese for best melting. If dip is too thick, stir in 1–2 tbsp milk before baking. Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days and can be reheated in the microwave or oven.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6th of the batch (approx. 1/2 cup)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 19
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 12
Keywords: chili cheese dip, appetizer, fall recipes, party dip, game day, comfort food, easy dip, cheesy dip, gluten-free, vegetarian option