This 3-ingredient Chili Cheese Dip recipe is a simple and delicious appetizer that's perfect for a party, a game day, or a quick snack. Ready to eat in less than 10 minutes, it's a delicious cheesy dip that can be made in the microwave, stove-top, or slow cooker!

Jump to:
- 3 Ingredient Chili Cheese Dip
- What is Chili Cheese Dip?
- Video
- Chili Con Queso
- Why You'll Love This Chili Cheese Dip Recipe
- Tools Needed
- Ingredients
- Best Cheese for Chili Dip
- Substitutions
- How to Make Chili Cheese Dip
- Easy Chili Cheese Dip Toppings
- Variations of Cream Cheese Chili Dip
- Crock Pot Chili Cheese Dip
- Stove Top Chili Cheese Dip
- Storage Directions
- FAQ
- More Delicious Dip Recipes
- Recipe
3 Ingredient Chili Cheese Dip
We are always looking for new snacks to enjoy while watching the big game, and recently I started looking into chili dip recipes. I wanted it to be an easy recipe but also loaded with flavor.
This chili dip with cream cheese is the perfect appetizer. This homemade dip is very simple to make and can be dressed up with green onions, hot sauce, or a dollop of sour cream.
And this time of year is when we always try out new recipes when watching football games. This year, our go-to foods during football season are Italian Grinders, tortilla chips, and homemade salsa. And now... chili and cheese dip.
What is Chili Cheese Dip?
Chili Cheese Dip is a warm, cheesy, and flavorful dip made with a combination of chili, melted cheese, and sometimes cream cheese or salsa. It's a popular appetizer, often served at parties, game days, or gatherings with tortilla chips, crackers, or veggies for dipping.
It's also sometimes called chili queso or chili con queso.
Video
Chili Con Queso
Chile con queso translates to "chili with cheese" in Spanish, so this might qualify as a chili con queso recipe. But traditionally, chili con queso is a Tex-Mex appetizer or side dish o melted cheese and chili peppers.
Why You'll Love This Chili Cheese Dip Recipe
- Easy Appetizer. This is the easiest dip recipe there is for homemade chili cheese dip! Only needs 3 ingredients and minimal prep make it a breeze to whip up.
- Customizable. This Velveeta Chili Cheese Dip can be made with different kinds of Velveeta Cheese and/or different kinds of canned chili. Then add jalapeños, hot sauce, or onions to spice it up.
- Crowd-Pleaser – Perfect for parties, game days, and family gatherings - everybody loves this easy dip recipe.
- Rich & Creamy – The combination of cream cheese, chili, and melted cheese is irresistible!
- Versatile – Serve this zesty Velveeta Chili Cheese dip with tortilla chips, crackers, veggies, or even over baked potatoes or French fries.
- Budget-Friendly – Uses inexpensive ingredients that are often pantry staples.
- Warm & Comforting – Ideal for cozy nights or when you’re craving something cheesy and hearty - maybe for a movie night at home.
Tools Needed
- Cutting Board
- Sharp Knife
- Microwave safe bowl or baking dish
Ingredients
These are simple ingredients that come together for a delicious cream cheese dip - a variation of a chili con queso recipe.
Velveeta Cheese (Mexican or Original) - the dip will have a little more "wow" with the Mexican variety, cubed.
Cream Cheese, softened - Use full-fat cream cheese for the best results. I'm not terribly brand loyal with cream cheese, but you can't go wrong with a Philadelphia Cream Cheese Chili Dip recipe.
Canned Chili - I use chili without beans but you could use the bean variety if you like. Hormel Chili is really delicious in this recipe, so it's sometimes called Hormel Chili Cheese Dip.
Chili Powder, optional, but highly recommended for that extra chili flavor!
Find the complete recipe with ingredients measurements and detailed instructions in the recipe card below.
Best Cheese for Chili Dip
For the smoothest and creamiest dip, I've found that Velveeta is the best cheese for chili dip. I like the Mexican Velveeta for a little extra kick (it has jalapenos), but Original Velveeta or Queso Blanco Velveeta would also be terrific in this recipe.
Substitutions
Canned chili is one of the key ingredients for this Chili Cream Cheese Dip but this recipe is also perfect with your own homemade chili. Or its a great way to use up leftover homemade chili if you have some on hand.
If you want to use canned chili, I recommend chili without beans but you could really use any type of chili you like: bean chili, chunky chili, vegetarian chili, etc.
By the way, Hormel Chili Dip is our favorite variety!
How to Make Chili Cheese Dip
This Chili Cream Cheese Dip is the easiest appetizer you'll ever make with only a few minutes of prep and three ingredients.
- Add layers of cream cheese and Velveeta (cubed) to a microwave safe bowl. Pour a can of chili on top of the cream cheese and Velveeta.
- Microwave in 1-iminute increments, stirring after each minute until it’s smooth, for approximately 5 minutes
- Stir in chili powder at the end until it’s smooth and creamy.
Serve with corn chips, tortilla chips, and/or fresh veggies. Here are some our favorites:
- Doritos
- Fritos Scoops
- Tortilla Chips
- Celery Sticks
- Bell Peppers
- Carrot Sticks
Easy Chili Cheese Dip Toppings
This recipe is the perfect dip without anything added on top, but if you want to fancy up your dip or add more flavors and textures, here are some great choices for toppings.
- Fresh shredded cheese (pre-shredded cheese doesn't melt nearly as well as fresh shredded cheese melts, so please buy the block of cheese!). You can never really have too much cheese, so shredding more on top is perfect. We've tried different kinds of cheese and here are some we recommend: Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack Cheese, Sharp Cheddar Cheese, and Mexican Blend Cheese.
- Jalapenos, fresh or pickled
- Diced Onions or Green Onions
- Sour Cream
- Hot Sauce (you could even mix this in before heating if you want to make hot dip)
- Fresh cilantro
Variations of Cream Cheese Chili Dip
Hot Chili Cheese Dip - add hot sauce to the chili and cheese before melting to make a spicy cheesy chili dip.
Vegetarian Chili Dip - use vegetarian chili for a meat-free Velveeta cheese dip.
Crock Pot Chili Cheese Dip
Although this chili cheese dip with cream cheese is easily made in under 10 minutes, if you want to make it ahead of time, Slow Cooker Chili Cheese Dip is the way to go!
Spray the bottom of a slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray or use a crock pot liner. Add the cubed, softened cream cheese, the cubed Velveeta cheese and then pour the chili over the top
Cook on low for 1-2 hours, add the chili powder (if desired, then stir until smooth. Serve chili queso dip warm with your favorite tortilla chips and enjoy!
You can leave your slow cooker on the warm setting during the Super Bowl but I doubt this dip will last the entire game!
Stove Top Chili Cheese Dip
Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture is smooth. This should take about 6-8 minutes.
This will scorch easily so do not leave it unattended. Serve warm with your favorite tortilla chips and enjoy!
Storage Directions
If you have leftovers the next day, a great use for it is to serve it over hot dogs for a fast meal!
Leftover chili cheese dip can be stored in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat on the stove top over medium heat or in the microwave until bubbly and you have melty cheese.
FAQ
It is a little spicy when you use Mexican Velveeta, but you could eliminate the spice by using another variety of Velveeta such as Original Velveeta or Queso Blanco Velveeta.
This recipe will not be watery. However, some recipes for chili cheese dip call for Rotel or Salsa which may add extra liquid to the dip. If you are using one of those ingredients, try draining some of the liquid before adding to the dip.
This dip thickens as it cools.
More Delicious Dip Recipes
PrintRecipe
3 Ingredient Chili Cheese Dip (Quick & Easy)
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 5 cups 1x
Description
This 3-ingredient Chili Cheese Dip recipe is a simple and delicious appetizer that's perfect for a party, a game day, or a quick snack. Ready to eat in less than 10 minutes, it's a delicious cheesy dip that can be made in the microwave, stove-top, or slow cooker!
Ingredients
- 16 ounces Velveeta Mexican cheese
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 15 ounces of canned chili without beans
- 2 Tbsp chili powder, optional
- Chips or Veggies to serve with the dip
Instructions
- Add cubed cheeses and can of chili to a microwave safe bowl.
- Microwave in 1-iminute increments, stirring after each minute until it’s smooth, for approximately 5 minutes
- Stir in chili powder at the end until it’s smooth and creamy.
- Serve with corn chips, tortilla chips, and/or fresh veggies.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 5
- Category: Appetizer
Sara
You're Recipes look so good and I can't wait to try them. Thanks for the easy to understand Recipes.