Cheese dip is perfect for dipping chips, veggies, or pretzels.

With just a few ingredients that you likely have on hand, this dip comes together in minutes.

plated 5 Minute Cheese Dip with chips

You’ll Love This Cheesy Dip Because…

  • The name says it all: it’s easy, cheesy, and ready in 5 minutes.
  • This dip only gets better the longer it sits and has lots of real cheese flavor (it’s perfect to make ahead).
  • Leftovers can be used as a dip but taste great on a sandwich or toast too.
ingredients to make Easy Cheese Dip with labels

What You’ll Need for Cheese Dip

  • Cream Cheese: Cream cheese is the base of this dip.
  • Sour Cream/Mayonnaise: Sour cream and mayonnaise balance out this dip so it’s scoopable and not too right.
  • Cheese: We love to add in sharp cheddar. Since the cheese isn’t melted, pre-shredded cheese works great in this recipe.
  • Seasonings: Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and cayenne are added for extra flavor and a bit of a kick!

Using a hand mixer makes the base fluffy and keeps your chips from breaking when you dip them into the mixture. This dip can also be pulsed in a food processor if you’d prefer.

Variations

Ranch dressing mix or fresh herbs make great additions.

  • jalapenos or mild green chiles
  • chopped bacon
  • green onions or cilantro
  • seasonings such as chili powder or a dash of hot sauce
  • Pepper jack or cojita
ingredients in a bowl to make Cheese Dip

How to Make Cheese Dip

This cheese dip recipe can be mixed and served immediately, but the flavor is even better if you have time to allow it to sit for at least 1 hour.

  1. Beat softened cream cheese with mayonnaise, sour cream, and seasonings.
  2. Stir in shredded cheese (recipe below).
  3. Chill and enjoy!

To quickly soften cream cheese – simply remove the foil wrapping and microwave on the lowest power setting in short bursts, checking frequently. Or, leave it sealed in the foil wrapper and immerse it in warm water until soft.

adding cheese to bowl to make 5 Minute Cheese Dip

To Serve

Serve this easy dip as the center of a dip platter or alongside a bowl of potato chips for game days!

  • Veggies: celery sticks, carrots, broccoli or cauliflower florets, and cherry tomatoes
  • Bread & Crackers: pita, potato chips, bagel chips, toasted baguette rounds, crackers, and tortilla chips
cheese dip in a bowl with chips and veggies for dipping

Tips for the Best Cheese Dip

  • Use a hand mixer or food processor. This will make the cheese nice and soft, perfect for scooping.
  • Use pre-shredded cheese to save time.
  • Cheese dip can be made well in advance to allow the flavors to blend. It will keep in the refrigerator for as long as the shortest expiration date on the ingredients used.
  • Make Leftovers into Pasta! Melt the dip into a cheese sauce in a large skillet or saucepan with a splash of milk. Stir in some cooked pasta and enjoy!

More Cheesy Dips

We love cheesy dips form a homemade queso to a ground beef packed velveeta dip. Here are a few of our favorites!

Did you make this Easy Cheese Dip? Leave us a comment and a rating below.

image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text
dipping a chip in Easy Cheese Dip
4.99 from 121 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Easy Cheese Dip

Creamy, rich, and tangy, this 5-minute cheese dip is perfect for a crowd!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Chill Time (if time allows) 1 hour
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 12 servings

Equipment

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Ingredients  

  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • teaspoon cayenne pepper optional

Instructions 

  • Combine cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise in a bowl with a hand mixer until fluffy.
  • Add remaining ingredients and stir until smooth.
  • For the best flavor, refrigerate 1 hour before serving.

Video

Notes

Optional Add-Ins include jalapenos, pimentos, chopped artichokes, bacon bits.
This dip can be mixed in a food processor if desired. Pulse just until combined. If you don’t have a food processor or hand mixer, mix well with a spoon.
This dip will last up to a week in the fridge (as long as the dairy used is fresh). Leftovers make a great filling for celery sticks or can be melted and tossed with pasta.
4.99 from 121 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 223 | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 249mg | Potassium: 58mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 517IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 165mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Appetizer, Dip, Party Food, Snack
Cuisine American
5 Minute Cheese Dip in a bowl and close up with a chip and a title
easy 5 Minute Cheese Dip in a bowl with a chip and a title
extra creamy 5 Minute Cheese Dip in a bowl with writing
bowl of creamy 5 Minute Cheese Dip with a title

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About the author

Holly Nilsson is the creator of Spend With Pennies, where she creates easy, comforting recipes made for real life. With a passion for nostalgic flavors and simplified techniques, Holly helps busy home cooks create delicious meals that always work. She is also the author of “Everyday Comfort,” which promises to inspire even more hearty, home-cooked meals.
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Comments

  1. Hi Holly. I love your recipes and this one is no exception! Delicious
    I added a bit of Franks Buffalo sauce and Parmesan cheese but it was great as is!5 stars

    1. Hi Sherri, this recipe should be okay to freeze but the texture might be slightly off. Be sure to give it a good stir once thawed.

  2. Is that 2 cups of shredded cheddar 16 ounces of cheddar ( before grating) or 8 ounces shredded to make 2 cups?