Cheese Dip
A hot dip of cream cheese, grated cheddar, garlic and a little hot sauce, heated until smooth. Six servings in 15 minutes.
Photograph credit: Cheese dip - not like proper queso by sarahstierch · CC0 1.0 · Flickr
Storing and Planning Ahead
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of milk.
Making Cheese Dip
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Put the cream cheese and milk in a saucepan over low heat and stir for 3 minutes until smooth.
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Add the cheddar in handfuls, stirring until each melts.
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Stir in the garlic powder, mustard powder, hot sauce and salt.
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Cook for 2 minutes more, stirring, and serve warm.
Tips for Success
- Keep the heat low to prevent splitting.
- Add more milk if the dip gets too thick.
- Grate the cheese yourself; pre-grated cheese has an anti-caking powder.
Behind the Recipe
Cream cheese is the base, since it melts smoothly where plain cheddar goes stringy or oily. The cheddar adds flavour and bite.
Soften the cream cheese first, in a saucepan over low heat with a splash of milk, stirring until it loosens. Add the grated cheese in handfuls, waiting for each to melt before the next.
Keep the heat low. Cheese sauces split above a gentle simmer, and a split dip is greasy and grainy.
Garlic powder, mustard and hot sauce supply the seasoning. Taste and add more hot sauce if you want it spicy. Serve warm, in a bowl set on a plate of crisps, tortilla chips or vegetable sticks. It thickens quickly as it cools, so keep it over a low flame if you can. The dip is good for a small crowd and takes only moments to make. Keep it warm over a very low heat while it is being served, and stir occasionally, since cheese sauces thicken and set quickly as they cool.
Serving Ideas
Tortilla chips · Celery sticks · Crusty bread · Pretzels
Quick Answers
How long does Cheese Dip take to make?
About 15 minutes in total — 5 minutes of preparation and 10 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 6.
What are the key tips for making Cheese Dip?
Keep the heat low to prevent splitting. Add more milk if the dip gets too thick. Grate the cheese yourself; pre-grated cheese has an anti-caking powder.
What should I serve with Cheese Dip?
Tortilla chips; Celery sticks; Crusty bread; Pretzels.
How should Cheese Dip be stored?
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of milk.
Is Cheese Dip suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian, low-carb, keto and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Cheese Dip?
About 263 kcal per serving, with 11 g protein, 3 g carbohydrate and 23 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Cheese Dip Nutrition Facts
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
Reader Reviews
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.
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