This Chili-Cheese Dip is a classic warm appetizer bursting with Southwestern flavor. With a creamy base of cream cheese and Monterey Jack, and a mild heat from green chilies and hot pepper sauce, it’s the perfect blend of comfort and spice. Popular at game days, potlucks, or casual family nights, it’s an easy one-pan recipe that comes together in under 20 minutes. Spread it onto soft tortillas for roll-ups or serve it hot with tortilla chips or fresh-cut veggies for a nostalgic party favorite.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 onion (medium, chopped)
- 4 oz green chilies (1 can, drained and chopped)
- 1 cup tomato (chopped and peeled )
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp pepper
- 3 drops hot pepper sauce
- 2 oz cream cheese (cut into ½-inch cubes)
- ½ cup Monterey Jack cheese (shredded, about 2 oz)
Instructions
Step 1: Sauté Base
- Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and cook until tender, about 5–7 minutes.
Step 2: Add Vegetables & Seasonings
- Stir in green chilies, chopped tomato, salt, pepper, and hot pepper sauce.
- Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Melt the Cheese
- Reduce heat to low.
- Add cream cheese and shredded Monterey Jack gradually, stirring constantly until melted and smooth.
Step 4: Serve
- Serve hot as a dip or spread onto warm tortillas and roll up.
Tips
- Serve immediately to maintain smooth, creamy texture
- Keep warm in a small slow cooker or fondue pot for parties
- Substitute Monterey Jack with mild cheddar for a sharper flavor
- Add extra hot pepper sauce for more heat
- Stir in cooked ground beef or sausage for a heartier dip
- Use fire-roasted tomatoes for deeper flavor
- Serve with tortilla chips, crackers, or sliced baguette
- Excellent as a filling for soft tortillas, rolled and sliced
- Can be doubled easily for potlucks
- Best enjoyed fresh; reheating may require gentle stirring
Nutrition
Calories: 78kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 3gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 14mgSodium: 197mgPotassium: 84mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 306IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 73mgIron: 0.2mg
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