My friends camp out next to this Chili Cheese Dip at parties and on game days because it’s just that good. Don’t believe me? Try it out for yourself! All you need is five ingredients and less than 30 minutes to throw it together. Dig in!
A creamy cheese dip is at the center of any good party, magnetically pulling us into its orbit like bees to honey. Before we know it, we’re victims of its spell, compulsively reaching for more without a second thought. This is where all the best conversations happen — hovering around a dip-filled bowl!
My chili cheese dip recipe is no exception to this magic, and I’m so excited to share it with you today. Speaking from much experience, this cheesy chili dip is an irresistible addition to the snack or appetizer table at any dinner party, casual backyard gathering, or game day, right alongside this amazing smoked pulled pork and BBQ chicken nachos.
With a smooth cream cheese base, smoky chili beans, savory ground beef, Rotel tomatoes, and ooey-gooey cheddar cheese melted on top, this mouthwatering chili dip is comfort food at its best and will keep guests reaching for more. Oh, and did I mention it calls for only five simple ingredients?
Serve with tortilla chips, and sit back and watch the gravitational pull this dip has on everyone in the room.
For more cheesy dip recipes, check out my Cream Cheese Corn Dip, Cream Cheese Taco Dip, Whipped Feta and Ricotta Cheese Dip, and Pomegranate and Herbed Cream Goat Cheese Dip.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love It
I don’t mean to brag, but my homemade chili cheese dip has a cult following. Just make it to see for yourself — friends and guests always request the recipe!
- Natural conversation starter. Breaking the ice at any social function is made easier with a common goal: emptying a communal cheese dip bowl. Party-goers will hover around this dip instantly – awkward silences ease, and banter ensues while chips and dip are devoured. It’s the best conversation starter!
- Five simple ingredients. Calling for just five simple ingredients, you can’t go wrong with this chili dip. The result is irresistible: creamy texture, dimensional flavor, and comforting warmth. Yum!
- Ready in minutes. This restaurant-quality dip comes together in less than half an hour! Whether you prep in advance or whip it up minutes before you head out the door or before guests start arriving, I promise you this chili dip with cream cheese will be a showstopper.
🥂Make it A Rosy Moment
This chili dip is going to be an instant favorite and I use any excuse to serve it up in a fun way! Here are a few of my favorite ways to make it a rosy moment:
- Dip & Sip Night: Serve this warm, cheesy chili dip with a chilled pitcher of margaritas or a bold red wine. Add a platter of tortilla chips, crudités, and a sliced baguette for dipping—and boom, instant happy hour.
- Tailgate Upgrade: Keep it warm in a small slow cooker and serve with mini paper boats and jalapeño slices on the side. Add a little hot sauce bar for the spice lovers. Serve with my Walking Tacos for the perfect tailgate.
- Cookout Chili Dip Bar: Everyone loves a good hearty dip; it's a great addition to a neighborhood cookout! Serve the dip on a bar with LOTS of different toppings and dippers. Let everyone build their own dip bowl. Think fancy shredded cheeses, chives, pickled red onions, diced avocado, or whipped feta cheese.
Important Ingredients
From start to finish, this chili cheese dip recipe is uncomplicated and effortless. Every time I make it, I’m thrilled by how little work is required of me, and by how few ingredients are actually needed to make something this delicious.
- Ground Beef - When it comes to dips, ground beef is my favorite! Its chewy texture makes it a little heartier, and the meaty flavor melds with the chili beans and cheeses to utter perfection.
- Chili Beans - My chili dip recipe hack! Canned Hormel chili is the best – it comes pre-seasoned with chili powder, garlic powder, paprika, cumin, and salt, which I find to be the ideal amount of spice for the recipe.
- Rotel Tomatoes - Another secret in my arsenal. Rotel canned tomatoes are pre-diced and already combined with green chiles (so easy!). The zesty flavor of the two combined complements the smokiness of the beef and beans.
- Cream Cheese - As the base, cream cheese makes the dip smooth and rich, with ideal scoopability. It also helps to balance the flavors with its slight tang.
- Cheddar Cheese - The final touch to any good cheese dip is a bubbly layer of melted cheddar. Don’t hold back here! We want the chips to drip with the melty goodness on every scoop.
Swaps and Substitutions
I love how modifiable this chili cheese dip is. Substituting an ingredient or making it a little healthier will add very little extra work for you!
- Homemade chili. This is the best use of any leftover chili you might have sitting in your fridge. While I prefer using canned chili beans for their convenience, feel free to let your favorite homemade chili shine in this recipe!
- Creamy base. No cream cheese on hand? Velveeta cheese is your next best bet with a rich, cheesy flavor that melts down beautifully. For a healthier option, swap the cream cheese for equal amounts of Greek yogurt. It’ll make the dip lighter without sacrificing the smooth consistency, save you a few calories, and get you a little extra protein. Blended cottage cheese can also be used.
- Ground meat. Lean ground turkey or chicken can be used instead of ground beef as a low-calorie and low-fat option.
- Beans. Use canned black, pinto, or kidney beans, and season with taco seasoning or individual spices like chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cumin, and a pinch of salt.
- Salsa or enchilada sauce will do the trick in place of canned Rotel tomatoes. My fresh garden salsa takes less than 10 minutes to make and tastes great in this dip!
Full Recipe Below
Find the full list of ingredients & measurements below!
Step by Step Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. In an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef. Drain the fat and add the ground beef back to the skillet.
- Step 2: Stir in the can of mild chili beans, Rotel tomatoes, cream cheese, and ½ of the cheddar cheese.
- Step 3: Stir until the cream cheese is melted and all ingredients have combined.
- Step 4: Top the skillet with the remaining ½ cup of cheddar cheese.
- Step 5: Bake the dip for 10 minutes or until bubbly.
- Step 6: Remove the dip and top with sour cream, extra cheese, green onions, or any topping of your choosing. Serve with corn chips and enjoy!
Top Tip
My preferred method of gobbling down this chili and cream cheese dip is with corn chips or Fritos scoops, but veggies are a close second. Give your guests some options and serve the dip with chips and carrot sticks, celery, and red peppers. Yum!
Tips for the Perfect Chili Cheese Dip
I got all the tips for the best chili cheese dip – my chili cheese tips, if you will 😉
- Soften the cream cheese. For the creamiest dip, let the cream cheese soften at room temperature for an hour beforehand.
- Serve hot. With its abundance of melty cheese, this dip is best served hot. If you make it ahead of time and allow the dip to cool, reheat it in a 375°F oven for a few minutes before serving. Sprinkle a little shredded cheese on top to help it re-melt.
- This is thick dip, but you can thin it out with a bit of sour cream, Greek yogurt, or evaporated milk.
- I like using my oven-safe skillet to make the dip (it saves an extra dish from getting dirty), but a baking dish or pie plate will get the job done. After you finish stirring in the cream cheese, transfer the mixture to the dish before placing it in the oven.
💡Recipe FAQ
Cream cheese is the best chili cheese dip base – it’s rich in flavor and extra smooth. Use shredded sharp cheddar cheese as the melty top layer, but if you want a milder taste, mild cheddar, Colby, or Monterey Jack cheese will be a shoo-in. For a hint of spice, use pepper jack cheese.
Ground beef, ground turkey, and ground chicken are great additions to chili cheese dip. You can also use chorizo for a smoky flavor and spicier kick. Modify for vegetarians with a plant-based ground beef.
Let’s be honest, you’ll be licking the chili cheese dip bowl clean, so don’t count on leftovers! But in this rare instance, store the dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for 3-4 days.
Related Recipes
If you tried this Chilli Cheese Dip, or any other of the delicious recipes on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
📖 Recipe
The Best 5-Ingredient Chili Cheese Dip (Game Day Must!)
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 can mild chili beans
- 1 can Rotel
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- optional toppings sour cream, green onions, extra cheese
- corn chips to serve
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In an oven safe skillet over medium high heat, brown the ground beef. Drain the fat and add the ground beef back to the skillet.
- Stir in the can of mild chili beans, Rotel, cream cheese, and ½ of the cheddar cheese.
- Stir until the cream cheese is melted and alll ingredients have combined.
- Top the skillet with the remaining ½ cup of sharp cheddar cheese and bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees or until bubbly.
- Remove the dip and top with sour cream extra cheese, and green onions. Serve with corn chips and enjoy!
Notes
- My preferred method of gobbling down this chili and cream cheese dip is with corn chips or Fritos scoops, but veggies are a close second. Give your guests some options and serve the dip with chips and carrot sticks, celery, and red peppers. Yum!
- Soften the cream cheese. For the creamiest dip, let the cream cheese soften at room temperature for an hour beforehand.
- Serve hot. With its abundance of melty cheese, this dip is best served hot. If you make it ahead of time and allow the dip to cool, reheat it in a 375°F oven for a few minutes before serving. Sprinkle a little shredded cheese on top to help it re-melt.
- This is thick dip, but you can thin it out with a bit of sour cream, Greek yogurt, or evaporated milk.
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