The Cheese Dip
I call this The Cheese Dip that will make you famous because it's guaranteed to be the hit of the party! Serve it at your Super Bowl Party, serve it at a cocktail party, serve it anywhere and you'll get rave reviews! It's super easy, and you'll have everyone asking for the recipe. Try it with jalapeño jack if you like a kick...otherwise, stick to the cheddar.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8
Ingredients
- 1, 8 oz. package cream cheese
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese OR grated jalapeño jack
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 small purple onion diced
- Wheat Thins or Frito's Scoops for dipping
Instructions
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Place all ingredients in a shallow baking dish (a 9" square pan or round quiche pan will be perfect!)
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Microwave on high for about 2 minutes or until the ingredients are melted enough to stir together.
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Stir until combined.
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Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
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Serve with Wheat Thins or Frito's Scoops for dipping
One of the best dips ever
Can this recipe be made in a crock pot?
I didn’t try it but baking in the oven will give it that crispy brown top layer. Not sure if you can get that in crock pot but that doesn’t mean it can’t work. You just have to adjust the temperature and keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
I just made this dip for my a snack after our church service. I made one with 1/2 cheddar 1/2 colby jack cheese and one with pepperjack cheese. Everyone loved it. I am now printing our the recipe for the many people who loved it. I also had a visitor come to me with pen and paper so she could take it with her. I wish there was a way to make it a little less greasy but no one complained. It’s just a yummy snack. I served it with Fritos and Tortilla strips. Love It!
I’m so glad it was a hit, and I like your cheese combo.
Just made this dip today for fathers and it was a hit!!!! Barely have any left trying to pick at what is left lol I will definitely be making this again soon! I followed the directions exactly minus the pepper jack which I will be trying next! And lightly sprinkled some cayenne pepper right after it came out of the oven and than topped with another handful of cheese yumm!! Served with wheat thins and garlic parmesan pretzel crackers and Doritos everyone who ate it with different crackers LOVED it!@ yumm and thanks again
How fun to have all sorts of crackers! Glad it was a hit for Father’s Day.
I think some are not stirring it enough before baking. I basically whipped it with a wooden spoon. Mine did not separate and was not at all greasy. It was a hit.
I do like the suggestions for variations and I will try that next.
I’ve never had that problem with mine separating, and I have been baffled by those comments! Kudos to you for figuring out what some folks are doing wrong!
We loved it, we used sharp cheddar cheese and miracle whip instead of mayonnaise. Very creamy, not greasy at all. Fantastic and flavorful. We used about a whole cup of cut up purple onions. No need to heat up anything to mix it together, just smash it and stir it all together and put it in a glass baking dish. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Whew…it’s nice to receive a positive comment! When I first posted this recipe, I received great reviews, and then there was a rash of “greasy” reviews. I can’t figure out what they were doing wrong…maybe they just enjoyed bashing recipes!
Just made this….. followed the directions to a T. Nothing special about this at all. I was shocked of the comments. It was soooo greasy. I have had much better and more flavorful cheese dips! Umm…. This will definitely NOT make you famous, LOL! Maybe I will try that BLT dip….. sounds yummy!
my mom just got done making this & i haven’t seen any mention it, but my mom stirred it after she got it out of the oven & the dip fell and even worse the grease/oil i guess from the mayo started separating & honestly there about as much oil/grease as there is dip & while it tasted good it looks VERY unappetizing.
so i recommend NOT stirring it lol
no need to stir.
Add diced tomatoes, chopped bacon, sour cream, and exchange the purple onion for green onion and you have a BLT dip. Bacon makes EVERYTHING better. SO SO SO good!
Thanks to readers like you this recipe now has lots of clever variations!
We love this! In this dish, the cheese is the star, so you need to use a strong flavored one like extra sharp cheddar or my favorite, aged Swiss. Mild cheddar and Monterey Jack melt well but have no flavor, especially mixed into cream cheese and mayo. Make sure you don’t skimp on the onion, too.
BTW, the Swiss is great with some added bacon or ham. I also make a version with Smoked provolone, diced pepperoni, a little garlic and Italian seasoning, too.
Thanks for adding a few clever and tasty combos!
The flavor and texture of this dip is excellent when one knows how to properly follow a recipe.
When one substitutes a different cheese, one has to expect a different flavor. Huge difference between Cheddar and Jalapeño Jack over Monterey Jack.
I’ve made this several times and everyone loves it. I also follow the recipe to the letter.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the kind comments! When I first published this recipe…rave reviews! Lately, I’ve been bombarded with “hate comments”…I’m not sure what’s going on!
This dip was very plain. not special at all.
I’m not sure what dip everyone else made, but I can’t believe the good reviews for this dip. I’m so glad I made it before I took it anywhere. It was bland (made with MJ cheese, even added green chilies — didn’t help.
Can you substitute Miracle Whip for the Mayo?
I’m afraid it would give it a sweet taste…not a good combo!
Yes, I went exactly by the recipe. Don’t know what happened but I was so disapointed.
I made this and it was a complete flop. Way too thick, almost like playdough. Flavor was excellent. Will never make again.
Did you use the correct amount of mayo? You’re the first out of 50+ comments to have this problem.
reply to Margie / August 14, 2013,
Margie. I lost 100 pounds on a carb free diet. Big deal. I got bored with meat and I believe that caused me to eat less. But …who knows? I lost 100 lbs. in 8 months.
looking back, I believe I could have done that on any diet I could stick to. Difference was, after ten days (major suffering) carb free, I didn’t want them anymore. This recipe is carb free. I’ll make it with revolution rolls. Yummmmmmm
holy cow, made this for a baby shower and it was devoured. i’m going to make some more for a gathering tomorrow. yum!
In-law’s requested this!!! A first for me! Used half cheddar and half pepper jack. Also added an extra 1/4 cup of each, too mayo-tasting otherwise. Kristal Story, you’re my hero of the day!
I’m honored to be your hero of the day!
Just made this and am eating it as I type. It’s very good! My family loves the onion in it. I love the cream cheese and the onion 🙂 I’m wondering what this would be like with the addition of chopped up shrimp? Me thinks it would be delicious! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Great recipe! I can’t wait to make it at the next family function
Don’t know how to break this to you Jaywalker – removing natural fat from foods IS NOT healthy! We need good healthy fats for absorbing vitamins, hormonal balance, and satisfaction both in taste & fullness among many other benefits. There’s been this long term low-fat, no-fat, only-use-polyunsaturated fats mission and the issues fat supposedly caused haven’t gone anywhere (increases every year it seems). Instead of using philly cream cheese use an organic and/or grass-fed version. There are plenty of raw milk cheeses, grass-fed cheese, even yogurt cultured cheeses. I do agree about the mayo as most brands are made with soy and/or canola oil – no bueno. Since I am not up for the task of making my own I use the soy-free veganaise.
Can you freeze the dip and reheat it.
I’ve never tried, but it’s so quick and easy to make that it’s probably not worth it.
You could just use the cream cheese and half of the cheese and make a spread for crackers or roll it for a cheese ball!
I really think the taste comes from baking it!
This is not a healthy recipe. I made some changes and it tasted fine.
1, 8 oz. package 1/3 the fat knudsens cream cheese
2 cups grated low fat cheddar cheese OR low fat grated jalapeño jack
1 cup Veganaise
1 small purple onion, diced
Wheat Thins or Frito’s Scoops for dipping (used a low fat cracker)
Do you have the label contents….calories, fat, carbs?
I’d like to see how many points with weight watchers!
You can enter the ingredients on MyFitnessPal.com, and it will calculate the calories, etc. This is not a low-calorie or low-fat dip, but it’s yummy!
sounds like a Paula Deen recipie with all that mayonnaise. does sound yummy though. don’t like onions, use onion powder or flakes maybe?
I didn’t proclaim it to be healthy…just yummy! The onions really make it, but onion flakes should be a good substitution.
Not a big hit with my guests. Little or no flavor. I used sharp cheddar and I’ll try again using pepper jack as I feel that will add additional “zip”. I do like the ease in putting this together and will keep experimenting!
Hmmm…you’re the first one that didn’t find this recipe to be a huge hit! Pepper Jack will certainly add the zip you’re looking for.
Woderfull recipe, a large hit !!
We have to go to a pool party and I’m going to make this! Sounds yummy!
Donna
Just made this. Added a little hot sauce, Amazing…!
Fantastic recipe. Served it at a gathering and it was devoured in nothing flat. Everyone wanted the recipe so it is being shared now all over central and southwestern Ohio.
Now you too are famous for your cheese dip!
I make this dip all the time – we call it the “to die for dip” and the only difference I do is use chipolte cheddar cheese or pepper jack – I adds just a little kick!
Thanks for adding another variation to this dip! No matter how you make it, everyone seems to agree it’s THE BEST!
Can this be made ahead of time or is it best served ‘fresh’ out of the oven.
You would have to reheat it which could be done in the microwave. Another option is to make it, and keep it warm in one of those casserole carriers.
What is with people rating a recipe they haven’t made? i’d like to try this but I rely on previous cook’s success.
This looks so delicious.
I’m definitely a person who LOVES cheese, and if I made this, I might have to make two dishes. One for me, one for the guests!
Love this recipe. Thanks so much for sharing.
This cheese dip sounds awesome.
I have a friend from work who bakes this in a bread bowl and serves it with the hollowed out bread pieces, it was AMAZING!!
Love that idea! Thanks for sharing!
sounds yummy…. and super simple to make. thanks for sharing.
Looks really good! I will try it someday, maybe at my son’s graduation party.
Wow, I can’t wait to make this. I’m sure it’s going to be a huge hit with my daughter.
I love recipes like this! You always need a dip for an easy appetizer, huh;)
This recipe is super easy to make and absolutely delicious! I had several people ask for the recipe after they ate it. It is even quite tasty reheated the next day! Thanks for the recipe!!!! 🙂
and isn’t everyone surprised when they discover that it’s only a few simple ingredients???
Donna, if you don’t add cream cheese, then you don’t make THIS all the time, as one of the main components in THIS is the cream cheese. You may make cheese dip, but not this particular one. I haven’t tried making this yet, but I assume the cream cheese makes it super creamy and delicious.
I’m rating this 5 stars anyways, because just reading the recipe makes my mouth water.
Thanks Dave!
This looks super good. I may have to make it. They might have a coupon for some of the ingredients over at
I always stock-up on cream cheese when it’s on sale!
Hey, I liked this recipe i added some things at the time I don’t have purple onions so i used chives and i put hot sauce in with the cheese dip it is super Delicious.
I think I’ll add a dash of hot sauce next time! Thanks for sharing!
I make this all the time but have never added the Cream Cheese -(EVER) and don’t intend to. I have had the recipe for years and if you don’t make it, you just may regret it. I use celery and carrots to dip in it.. GOOD
Do you think you can replace the onion with bacon bits? Most of my family doesn’t like onion.
hmmm…the onion really makes it yummy! There’s no reason the dip won’t work without the onion, so give it a try, and please let me know how it tasted. Enjoy!
I made this and added thinly sliced almonds and it was delicious!! Thanks for sharing!
Yummy…I’ll have to make a note to try it that way next time!