Bean Dip Cheddar Cheese (Printable)

Creamy blend of refried beans and sharp cheddar, perfect for parties or casual snacks.

# What You Need:

→ Beans and Dairy Base

01 - 2 cups refried beans (one 15 oz can, pinto or black beans)
02 - 1/4 cup sour cream
03 - 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened

→ Vegetables and Aromatics

04 - 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
05 - 1 tablespoon minced garlic
06 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced

→ Spices

07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Cheese

12 - 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided

→ Optional Toppings

13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
14 - 1 small tomato, diced
15 - 2 tablespoons sliced green onions

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
02 - Combine refried beans, sour cream, and cream cheese in a mixing bowl. Mix until completely smooth and creamy.
03 - Stir in red onion, garlic, jalapeño, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until well incorporated.
04 - Fold in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, leaving 1/2 cup reserved for the topping.
05 - Spread the mixture evenly in a lightly greased 1-quart baking dish or pie plate.
06 - Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the dip.
07 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until hot and bubbly with melted cheese on top.
08 - Remove from oven and let cool for 3 to 5 minutes. Top with cilantro, diced tomato, and green onions if desired.
09 - Serve warm with tortilla chips, vegetable sticks, pita chips, or crackers.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The combination of creamy beans and melted cheddar creates this addictive texture that keeps everyone hovering around the bowl
  • It comes together in about five minutes of prep time but tastes like something that simmered all afternoon
02 -
  • Letting the dip rest for those few minutes out of the oven is not optional. It thickens up slightly and makes serving so much easier
  • The dip continues to thicken as it cools, so while it looks loose right out of the oven it will be perfect once people start digging in
03 -
  • Room temperature ingredients combine so much more smoothly than cold ones straight from the fridge
  • A microplane makes prep work with garlic and onion so much faster and ensures they are practically undetectable in the final dip

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