Bean Dip Cheddar Cheese (Print Version)

Smooth mix of beans and cheddar cheese, baked to warm, melty perfection with spices and fresh toppings.

# What You Need:

→ Beans

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

→ Vegetables & 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

→ Toppings

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

# Preparation Steps:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 10 minutes of prep time
  • The combination of melted cheddar and warm spices creates that addictive comfort food quality that keeps people hovering around the serving dish
02 -
  • The dip continues to thicken slightly as it cools, so removing it while still bubbling gives you the ideal texture
  • Room temperature cream cheese incorporates much more smoothly than cold, preventing those tiny lumps
03 -
  • Mixing the spices directly into the beans before adding the dairy helps them distribute evenly
  • Grating your own cheese from blocks melts better than pre-shredded, which contains anti-caking agents

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