This 3 ingredient chili cheese dip is a simple and tasty appetizer that can be prepared quickly using just three ingredients: canned chili, cream cheese, and shredded cheese. It’s perfect for last minute guests or if you want something quick for a game day recipe.

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@partyfoodfavorites Cream cheese. Chili. Cheese. Does it get any easier? #partytime #chilicheesedip #easyrecipe #appetizerrecipe #gamedayfood #creamcheeserecipe #partyfood ♬ original sound – Nick Trawick

There’s nothing better than a cheesy dip for crackers, chips, or veggies. We’re obsessing over this chili cheese dip, our beer cheese dip, and this Smoked Queso Dip (my husband is dying to make this one on our smoker).

Chili Cheese Dip Ingredients

It doesn’t get easier than this, you only need three items for this dip:

Canned chili. I used vegetarian chili for this dip. The brand was Stagg, but Hormel chili is popular in the US. This is a great recipe to use with leftover homemade chili too!
Cream cheese. Either regular or low fat cream cheese will work just fine.
Shredded cheddar cheese. Shred up some cheddar (or tex mex cheese or a pepper jack cheese would also be tasty). I do recommend shredded cheese yourself vs buying it pre-shredded as it melts nicer.

The base ingredients are perfect as is but this easy chili cheese dip recipe can be customized with additional ingredients like jalapenos or onions for added flavor.

Garnish Options

If you’d like to pretty up the dip (because let’s face it brown and orange isn’t always eye pleasing), here are some options:

Sprinkle on cilantro or parsley
Green onions
Salsa
Tomatoes
Avocados
Extra beans to place on top

Or you can do a mix of a couple of the garnish recommendations. This makes it look so much prettier, not that it matters since it gets destroyed in a matter of seconds.

What to Serve with Chili Cheese Dip

chili cheese dip in a cast iron pan with pretzel chips and tortilla chips

You’ll need something to dip with this recipe, and here are a few of our favorite options:

Pretzel chips or plain pretzels
Tortilla chips (go for thicker corn chips so they don’t break)
Pita chips
Vegetables (carrots, celery, bell pepper, cauliflower, broccoli)
Homemade Pretzel Bites

This would also be delicious if served with nachos.

How to Store Leftovers

If you have any leftover chili and cream cheese dip, all you have to do is store it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge.

It will keep for 3-4 days.

angle of a cast iron pan with a chili and cream cheese dip baked

How to Make 3 Ingredient Chili Cheese Dip

Like most recipes here on Party Food Favorites, the instructions are easy and it doesn’t take much effort to whip together.

melted cream cheese and canned chili — heat together canned chili and cream cheese until it looks like this

Heat the cream cheese and canned chili in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.

shredded cheddar cheese in a cast iron pan about to go in the oven — add shredded cheddar cheese and then transfer to the oven to bake

Once it’s melted and combined, pour the mixture into a baking dish and top it with the shredded cheese. If you’re using a cast iron skillet, you can add the cheese on top.

melted cheese over a cream cheese based dip in a cast iron skillet — Chili cheese dip fresh out of the oven, next step is to add some garnish.

Bake in a preheated oven until melted and bubbly. Top with any garnishes to make it a little prettier.

You can serve this homemade chili cheese dip hot, with chips or vegetables for dipping, or transfer it to a slow cooker to keep it warm.

Add some red and green garnish to make it a little more eye appealing and have it stand out on the appetizer table.

More Cheese Dip Recipes

There’s nothing better than a hot cheesy dip. If you want some more ideas for your next game day party or event, check these out:

Cheesy Baked Spinach Dip
Velveeta Beer Cheese Dip
Or you can check out all the Party Food Favorite dips.

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Easy Chili Cheese Dip

Print Recipe

This 3 ingredient recipe for easy Chili Cheese Dip is served warm and is perfect for watching the big game or just kicking back with friends.

Prep Time:1

Cook Time:15

Total Time:16

Equipment

Ingredients

1 15 oz canned chili I used vegetarian
8 oz cream cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

In a medium saucepan or cast iron skillet over medium-low heat combine the cream cheese and canned chili. Stir often until melted and combined.
Top with cheddar cheese. If you're not using a cast iron pan, transfer it to a baking dish first and top with the shredded cheddar cheese.
Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 15 minutes.