Bean Dip Cheddar Cheese (Printable)

A creamy, flavorful dip combining beans and sharp cheddar with a hint of spice and fresh garnishes.

# What You Need:

→ Beans

01 - 2 cups refried beans (1 can, 15 oz)
02 - 1/4 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained

→ Dairy

03 - 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
04 - 1/2 cup sour cream
05 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

06 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
07 - 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
10 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
11 - 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/4 tsp salt
13 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Garnishes

14 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
15 - 1 small tomato, diced

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine refried beans, black beans, 1 cup cheddar cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, jalapeño, red onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and evenly combined.
03 - Spread the mixture evenly into an oven-safe baking dish (about 1-quart capacity).
04 - Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
05 - Bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the dip is bubbling at the edges.
06 - Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with chopped cilantro and diced tomato. Serve warm with tortilla chips, pita chips, or fresh vegetables.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The combination of sharp cheddar and creamy beans creates that perfect restaurant style dip texture everyone craves
  • It comes together in under 10 minutes of prep but tastes like you spent way more effort on it
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day, assuming there are any
02 -
  • Let the cream cheese soften completely at room temperature or you'll end up with lumpy pockets in your dip
  • The dip continues to thicken as it cools slightly, so serve it while it's still hot and at its creamiest
  • A shallow baking dish creates more surface area for that cheesy top layer, which is everyone's favorite part
03 -
  • Spritz a little cooking spray on your baking dish first for easier cleanup, that baked on cheese is stubborn
  • Set the dip on a trivet or hot pad at the table because the dish stays hot for a long time

Return