Chili Cheese Cream Cheese Dip

Name: Chili Cheese Cream Cheese Dip
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 8-ounce block cream cheese; 1 15-ounce can vegetarian chili (or your preferred canned chili); 1 8-ounce block mild cheddar cheese (shredded); Chili powder (optional); Chopped green onions (optional for garnish)

By Reed Dunn

Dec 12, 2025

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This ultra-creamy, melty Chili Cheese Cream Cheese Dip is the easiest crowd-pleaser you’ll ever make. With just three main ingredients – cream cheese, canned chili and freshly shredded cheddar cheese – it comes together in minutes.

I’m often pulling ingredients from the pantry to create last-minute meals, and this recipe is a variation of one I have made for years when I need entertaining made easy. Serve it with tortilla chips for football game days, holidays or everyday hosting.

Recipe Tips & Variations

The simplicity and flexibility of this dip is what makes it so special. The name says it all: you only need chili, cheddar cheese and cream cheese to make this dip in less than 15 minutes.

Choose your chili. My preferred canned chili to keep this recipe vegetarian-friendly is Amy’s Organic Medium Vegetarian Chili, though you can use any canned chili you like.
Spice it up. Add heat with optional chili powder, based on the spice level of your canned chili. You also can add a 4-ounce can of diced green chiles or a few dashes of hot sauce to adjust the spice level without complicating the ingredient list.
Keep it warm. This dip usually gets eaten quickly, so consider doubling the recipe and keeping it warm in a small Crockpot. That’s especially helpful if you’re serving it for events like a football game when grazing is the way people are eating.

What I love most about this Chili Cheese Cream Cheese Dip is that it proves great entertaining doesn’t have to be elaborate. After years of hosting everything from holiday gatherings to low-key weeknight hangouts, I’ve learned that recipes that are reliable, quick, and universally loved are the ones that have people asking for the recipe. Keep the ingredients on hand, and you’ll always have a guaranteed hit ready to go.

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Chili Cheese Cream Cheese Dip

This easy Chili Cheese Cream Cheese Dip is the ultimate warm, melty appetizer for game days, holidays or any time you need a last-minute snack. Made with just cream cheese, canned chili and freshly shredded cheddar, this dip comes together in minutes and delivers bold, nostalgic flavor. Serve it hot with tortilla chips.

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 10

Servings:

Ingredients

▢ 1 8-ounce block cream cheese
▢ 1 15-ounce can vegetarian chili, or your preferred canned chili
▢ 1 8-ounce block mild cheddar cheese, shredded
▢ Chili powder, optional
▢ Chopped green onions, optional for garnish

Instructions

Warm a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat.
Cut the cream cheese into cubes and add it to the skillet along with the can of chili. Stir occasionally as the cream cheese melts, cooking for 3 to 4 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, reserving 2 to 3 tablespoons for topping, if desired.
Continue stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the dip is smooth. Taste and add chili powder, if you’d like extra heat. Once the dip begins to bubble gently, remove it from the heat.
Transfer the dip to a serving dish and sprinkle with the reserved cheddar and chopped green onions. Serve warm with tortilla chips.

Notes

I use Amy’s Organic Medium Vegetarian Chili. Based on my taste, I add up to 1 teaspoon of chili powder for extra heat. Taste the dip before adding chili powder.

Bring leftovers to room temperature and store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a small saucepan on the stove for best results.