Chili Cheese Cream Cheese Dip
This Chili Cheese Cream Cheese Dip is warm, melty, and endlessly crowd-pleasing. Made with just cream cheese, canned chili, and freshly shredded cheddar, it comes together in 15 minutes on the stovetop. Serve it for game day or last-minute entertaining for occasions throughout the year.
Servings: 8
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
- Chili: I use Amy's Organic Medium Vegetarian Chili to keep this recipe vegetarian-friendly. Any canned chili works. Choose your preferred heat level before adding extra spice.
- Shred your own cheese: Block cheddar melts more smoothly than pre-shredded. Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can affect the texture of the dip.
- Add heat: Stir in up to 1 teaspoon chili powder, a 4-ounce can of diced green chiles, or a few dashes of hot sauce to increase the spice level.
- Keep it warm: Transfer to a small slow cooker set to warm for longer gatherings. Holds well for up to 2 hours.
- Double batch: Scales easily for larger crowds. A double batch fits in a standard slow cooker.
- Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring until smooth.