With just three ingredients, our chili cheese dip is a knockout appetizer for any party. Velveeta, chili con carne and green chiles cook together into a gorgeously thick, velvety cheese sauce with chunks of meat and a hint of spice.
Dress up your cheese dip with extra garnishes, or serve it as is. Either way, your guests will devour it!
Ingredients for Chili Cheese Dip
- Velveeta: We love to use Velveeta in cheese dips. It melts beautifully and provides a thick, velvety texture and a rich, creamy taste. Plus, it’s one of the more affordable cheese options. Win-win!
- Chili con carne: To make this dip super easy and speedy, we recommend chili con carne from a can. However, if you just so happen to have some leftover homemade chili, use that.
- Green chiles: A can of green chiles adds the perfect amount of spice in an easy way.
- Chips: Tortilla or corn chips are the ideal chip for chili cheese dip. We recommend using one of the best tortilla chip brands if you’re serving this dish to guests. Pretzel bites are another fun option, and red bell pepper slices are a fresher, more wholesome dip vessel.
Directions
Step 1: Cook the dip
Place the cheese, chili con carne and chiles in a saucepan or fondue pot.
Heat the mixture over medium-low, stirring frequently, until the cheese melts.
Step 2: Garnish and serve
Pour the dip in a decorative bowl, or serve it in the pot. Sprinkle with optional toppings as desired. Serve warm with tortilla chips, pretzels and peppers.
Editor’s Tip: Serving the dip in a decorative bowl? If the bowl is microwave safe, splash a bit of water in the bowl, and microwave it for 30 seconds to warm it up before pouring the dip in. Heating the bowl will help the dip stay warmer, longer.
Recipe Variations
- Add some spice: Pour in 1/4 cup salsa for more flavor and spice. A few drops of hot sauce or a few dashes of cayenne or smoked paprika (if you like smoky flavors!) would also work.
- Go meatless: If meat in a can weirds you out, don’t worry, you can easily substitute the can of chili con carne for a can of vegetarian chili.
- Make in the slow cooker: For a more hands-off approach, cook the dip in a small slow cooker on low for one to three hours.
- Melt in the microwave: Need this dip like, now? Place the ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl, and microwave until warmed. Stop and stir the mixture every 30 to 60 seconds so the cheese doesn’t burn.
How to Store Chili Cheese Dip
To store leftovers, allow the chili cheese dip to cool completely to room temperature, then pour the dip into an airtight container. The dip can be stored in the fridge for up to four days.
Reheat the leftover dip in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Stir the dip frequently until it’s warmed through.
Can you make chili cheese dip ahead of time?
Yes, chili cheese dip is the perfect appetizer to make ahead of time! It can be prepared about a day or two in advance.
After making the dip, allow it to cool completely to room temperature, then pour it into an airtight container. Once you’re ready to serve it, reheat the dip in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Heat until the dip is warmed through.
Can you freeze chili cheese dip?
Yes, you can freeze chili cheese dip. Allow the dip to cool completely to room temperature, then pour the mixture into an airtight container. Snap the lid on, and place in the freezer. Freeze the chili cheese dip for up to two months.
Thaw the dip in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium-low heat. Stir frequently until the dip has been warmed through.
Chili Cheese Dip Tips
Can you use different kinds of cheeses in chili cheese dip?
Velveeta recipes are really in a category of their own because Velveeta melts quickly and evenly. Plus, if the mixture gets too hot or sits for too long, it won’t separate like dairy cheese might. However, if you want to add a different type of cheese, follow the recipe as directed and stir in an additional 4 to 6 ounces of dairy cheese. Shredded cheddar, pepper jack or cubed cream cheese are some of the best melting cheeses.
What else can you serve with chili cheese dip?
Add fresh toppings to your chili cheese dip. Try chopped fresh cilantro or green onions. Another great dipping vessel is cubes of crusty homemade bread.
