Frederic Melton
A Crock Pot Chili Cheese Dip is the perfect appetizer for a party, game day, or holiday get-together. It's easy to make, with most recipes requiring only a few ingredients, and it can be prepared ahead of time. The dip can be cooked on low for around 2 hours or on high for about an hour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 1-4 hours |
| Total Time | 2-4 hours 5 minutes |
| Ingredients | 2-4 |
| Serving Size | 1-12 servings |
| Calories | 78-318 kcal |
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What You'll Learn
Prep time and ingredients
The prep time for this recipe is minimal, taking only about 5-10 minutes. It is a simple and easy recipe, perfect for game days, holidays, or parties. The ingredients are readily available and can be adjusted according to your preference. Here is a list of the ingredients you will need:
- Canned Chili or Homemade Chili: You can use store-bought canned chili or make your own homemade chili. If using canned chili, look for options without beans, such as Chili con Carne. You can also add ground beef to make it a meatier version.
- Cheese: The type of cheese you use is essential for the creaminess and flavour of the dip. The most commonly used cheese is Velveeta, a processed cheese product that melts easily. You can cut it into cubes or blocks. However, if you prefer shredded cheese, a combination of sharp cheddar and pepper jack cheese is recommended. Avoid using pre-shredded cheese as it doesn't melt as smoothly.
- Cream Cheese: Cream cheese adds a creamy texture and flavour to the dip. Use a block of cream cheese and cut it into cubes or blocks.
- Salsa or Picante Sauce: Adding salsa or picante sauce gives the dip a little kick and extra flavour. You can adjust the amount according to your taste preference.
- Green Chiles (optional): If you want to add a mild spiciness to your dip, include some chopped green chiles.
- Toppings and Sides: You can serve the dip with a variety of toppings such as chopped green onions, sour cream, diced jalapenos, hot sauce, black olives, and additional salsa. For sides, tortilla chips, corn chips, veggies (such as carrot sticks, celery sticks), and sliced bread are excellent choices.
Once you have gathered all the ingredients, simply combine them in your crock pot, following the steps outlined in the previous section, and let it cook to perfection!
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Cooking methods
The cooking method for your chili cheese dip will depend on whether you are using a crock pot or a stovetop. Here is a step-by-step guide for both methods:
Crock Pot Method:
- Preparation: Cut the Velveeta cheese, cream cheese, and/or shredded cheese into cubes. You can also add in some salsa or picante sauce for a kick.
- Assembly: Place the cubed cheese into your crock pot. You can use a 2-quart crock pot for a smaller batch or a 3-5 quart crock pot for a larger batch.
- Cooking: Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 2-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours. Stir the dip occasionally during the cooking process. The dip is ready when the cheese is melted and all the ingredients are combined.
- Serving: Serve the chili cheese dip warm with tortilla chips, corn chips, veggies, bread, or hot dogs.
Stovetop Method:
- Preparation: Cut the Velveeta cheese, cream cheese, and/or shredded cheese into cubes. You can also prepare any additional ingredients such as salsa or picante sauce.
- Assembly: Place all the ingredients into a medium saucepan.
- Cooking: Cook the mixture over medium-low heat on your stovetop. Stir the ingredients constantly to ensure they combine thoroughly and to prevent burning. The dip is ready when the cheese is melted and bubbly, which should take around 5-8 minutes.
- Serving: Serve the chili cheese dip warm with tortilla chips, bread cubes, or vegetables.
Microwave Method:
Although most sources recommend using a crock pot or stovetop, one source mentions that you can also make chili cheese dip in the microwave. Here is a brief overview of this method:
- Assembly: Place the cubed cheese, chili, and salsa/picante sauce in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Cooking: Microwave the mixture on high for about 6 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until the cheese is melted.
- Serving: Serve the dip warm with your choice of dippers.
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Serving suggestions
What to serve with chili cheese dip
- Tortilla chips
- Corn chips
- Fritos
- Veggies (carrot sticks, celery sticks)
- Bread
- Sliced bread
- Hot dogs
- Doritos Nacho Cheese chips
- Tacos
- Baked potatoes
Variations and substitutions
- Add meat, e.g. ground beef
- Add vegetables, e.g. diced bell peppers, diced tomatoes, chilies
- Use vegetarian chili
- Use different types of cheese, e.g. shredded cheddar cheese, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, Mexican blend, Monterey jack, or Colby jack
- Add toppings, e.g. chopped green onion, jalapenos, chopped onion, avocado, guacamole, or cilantro
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Storing and reheating
To reheat, simply place the dip back into a crockpot and heat on low for one to two hours, stirring occasionally, until the cheese is melted and the dip is hot. You can also reheat the dip on the stovetop over medium heat.
If you want to make the dip ahead of time, you can store it in the refrigerator for one to two days before serving.
You can also freeze your chili cheese dip. Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer for up to three months. When you're ready to enjoy it, simply thaw and reheat it on the stovetop.
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Recipe variations
There are many ways to put a twist on the classic crockpot chili cheese dip. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Vegetarian Chili Cheese Dip
For a vegetarian option, simply substitute the chili con carne with a vegetarian chili option. Amy's Organic Chili is a recommended vegetarian option for this recipe.
Spicy Chili Cheese Dip
For those who like it hot, try adding a can of Rotel (a type of canned tomato) to the mix. For an extra kick, use the Chili Fixin's flavour of Rotel. If you're feeling adventurous, you could also add some chopped green chilies to the mix.
Low-Carb Chili Cheese Dip
To make a low-carb version of the dip, you'll need to make your own chili from scratch, as most canned varieties are high in carbs. You can find low-carb chili recipes online.
Cheesy Chili Cheese Dip
For an extra cheesy dip, you can add some shredded cheddar cheese to the mix. You could also experiment with different types of shredded cheese, such as Mexican blend or cheddar.
Creamy Chili Cheese Dip
For a creamier dip, try adding 8 ounces of cream cheese to the mix. Make sure it's softened before adding it to the crockpot.
Hearty Chili Cheese Dip
To make the dip even heartier, you can add some extra ingredients like chopped onions, beans, or meat. Just be sure to cook any raw ingredients thoroughly before adding them to the crockpot.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to cook the dip for 1-3 hours on low heat, or 2 hours on high heat.
You will need chili, cheese, and cream cheese. Some recipes also include salsa or green chilies.
Yes, you can make the dip 1-2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator.
