Bean Dip with Cheddar (Printable)

Zesty bean blend with melted cheddar and fresh herbs, ready in minutes for easy serving.

# 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. Let cool slightly, then garnish with chopped cilantro and diced tomato. Serve warm with tortilla chips, pita chips, or fresh vegetables.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The combination of three cheeses creates an incredibly creamy texture that coats every bean perfectly
  • It comes together in just 10 minutes of prep time but tastes like something you simmered all day
  • The smoked paprika adds this subtle depth that keeps people guessing the secret ingredient
02 -
  • I once made this without softening the cream cheese first and ended up with tiny lumps throughout the dip
  • Letting the baked dip rest for just 5 minutes makes a huge difference in the texture and helps it set slightly
03 -
  • Grating your own cheese from a block makes a huge difference in how smoothly it melts
  • If the dip seems too thick after baking, stir in a splash of milk or cream before serving

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