Easy Crockpot Chili Cheese Dip Recipe

Chili and cheese are a classic flavor pairing that really shines in this easy crockpot dip.  Just toss your ingredients in the crockpot and give it a bit of time until you’re ready to enjoy this cheesy and spicy tasty dip.  Give it a try.

Now let’s get right to the good stuff…

how to make chili cheese dip

INGREDIENTS:

Gather your ingredients and get ready to make this amazing dip, good enough to eat as a meal. This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 1 lb ground beef
• 14.5 oz can petite diced tomatoes drained
• 8 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 can red kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 packet chili seasoning
• 16 oz Colby Jack cheese cubed
• 8 oz package cream cheese
• Optional: Small diced onion

ingredient information:

• Ground beef: Any ground beef or ground beef substitute (vegetarian, ground turkey, etc.) will work in this dish. Just cook it down and crumble it. Then drain any grease before placing it in the crockpot.
• Petite diced tomatoes: You can choose to leave this ingredient out and double the tomato sauce instead. You can also replace it with fresh diced tomatoes in the same ratio.
• Kidney beans: I have found that kidney beans can be a slightly controversial ingredient in chili. Some of my guests love them and others hate them. If are one of the latter, feel free to leave this ingredient out. If you do, add about another 1/2 pound of cooked ground beef as a replacement.
• Colby Jack cheese: If you buy a block of Colby Jack cheese, take a minute to chunk it up before adding it to the crockpot. We saved ourselves a smidge of effort by purchasing already cubed cheese. This cheese has a mellow and slightly nutty flavor that melts easily, making it perfect for this dip. For this recipe, you can swap out the Colby Jack for other cheeses that also melt well, like Cheddar, Gouda, Muenster, Gruyere or even Velveeta.
• Chili seasoning: Choose your favorite brand of chili seasoning and the desired spice level. There are lots of options in most grocery stores. When in doubt, go with the McCormick’s mild chili seasoning. It should suit everyone at the party. Those that like more spice can always add some hot sauce to their own serving.
• Cream cheese: We prefer using Philadelphia brand cream cheese for this dip, though any brand will work. Honestly, I hesitated to add this ingredient but ultimately decided to use it to both increase the volume of the dip and to make it a bit lighter. You can choose to leave this out or replace it with more Colby Jack cheese in the same ratio.

instructions:

Stick around to the end, and I’ll tell you how to customize it to your own tastes.

1. Cook the ground beef to a crumble and drain it. Place the cooked ground beef into the crockpot.
2. Cube the Colby Jack cheese and also place it in the crockpot.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients to the crockpot.
4. Turn to low and cook 2 ½ to 3 hours, stirring occasionally throughout the cook time.
5. When finished, all of the cheese will be fully melted and the ingredients will be well incorporated.

my recipe tips

• Spice it up: If you’re a person who likes your food a bit spicier, you can add some red chili flakes or even a splash of hot sauce of your choice. You can also choose a chili seasoning pack that fits your taste.
• Sweeten it: When we serve chili in our home, we often add some sugar, and you can feel free to do the same with this dip. The spices and sugar are a nice flavor contrast that work well together.
• Platter it up: Everyone likes their chili served in different ways. Create a platter of accessories to go with your chili cheese dip, like sour cream, jalapenos, guacamole or diced onions.

recipe video

🍽️ serving ideas

There are lots of things that you can dip into this delicious chili cheese dip, but our favorite is some toasted crusty garlic bread. I have the perfect recipe that you can check out HERE. You can also just use chunks of rustic bread, crackers, store made toasties, bagel chips or tortilla chips. If you want a healthier version, use celery sticks or baby carrots.

If you’re having a get together with lots of appetizers, this dip recipe is great alongside this layered taco dip and this creamy key lime pie dip. Then there will be a little something for everyone.

equipment you’ll need

If you don’t already have one at home, this is the perfect time to grab yourself a crockpot. Believe me, they’re a lifesaver. Ours is on a constant rotation for family meals and party favs. For this recipe, we used a 3 quart size like THIS ONE. In all honesty, if you’re making this for a party I would double the recipe and use a 6 to 8 quart crockpot instead, like THIS ONE or THIS ONE.

If you don’t have a crockpot and still want to make this dip, cook it on the stovetop in a pot on medium heat. Be sure to stir it regularly to keep it from burning on the bottom. Once all of the cheese has melted and the ingredients are incorporated, transfer it to a serving dish.

recipe notes

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the best results for this super yummy dip.
• Storage: Keep leftovers (if you even have any) covered in plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days. I don’t recommend freezing this dip.
• Dip prep: You can prepare this dip ahead of time. Just heat it back up and garnish with a little fresh grated cheese when it’s time to serve.
• Reheat: You can use the microwave, oven, crockpot or stovetop. My preference is to place it in the oven until warmed through and the cheese is melty when dealing with the dish as a whole. If just spooning out a single serving, pop it into the microwave and warm it through.