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.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
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.
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
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.
- Beat softened cream cheese with mayonnaise, sour cream, and seasonings.
- Stir in shredded cheese (recipe below).
- Chill and enjoy!
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
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.
Equipment
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
- ⅛ 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
Nutrition Information
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© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.
At 9 pm, my dear husband (who doesn’t enjoy or know how to cook) informed me that he would like to bring a dip to his work potluck tomorrow. Thankfully I found this recipe and had everything on hand. The addition of cayenne really elevates this dip’s flavor. I added a bit of parsley as well. I also added bacon bits and served with carrot sticks, cucumbers, celery sticks and crackers. the dip was easy to make and was quite delicious. Even though I was slightly annoyed about being asked about making a dip at 9 pm, this recipe made it easy for me and I still love my husband. :)
So happy to hear that, Keri! I am sure everyone loved it too!
Hi! I’m curious if I could substitute vegan mayo? Think this is okay? I appreciate it your opinion!
That should work just fine.
I’m doing a Carnivore diet and made this using a Carnivore mayo that I make. Added chopped bacon. Great way to up my daily fat intake and is fantastic with pork rinds!
Made this easy cheese dip and it was tasty, followed the recipe without any add-in’s but will try with them next time. Thanks Holly, just love your recipes.
This is a great base recipe…I used fresh shredded Boubon Gouda with Bourbon paprika as well…served on crusty bread and crackers!!
I served this, last night, at family dinner. It was a big hit and there were no leftovers!
I love getting your recipes. They are the best!
Thank you, Ken!
Absolutely yummy!
So quick to mix together and so good.
I was disappointed because it was bland. I added some Franks and it was great! This is amazing melted on hamburgers or chicken sandwich es!
This is the best
Liked the basic recipe very much but added another 1/2 cup sour cream, salt, dried parsley, and an envelope of onion soup. Mixed very well and chilled for one hour. Used fresh garlic instead of garlic powder.
Really extraordinary flavor served with celery and carrot sticks, crackers. Great!
This dip is a winner! Took to friend’s house for Thanksgiving. They loved it! Made another batch this morning for left over veggies. It is so good! Thank you!
I am so happy to hear you loved this cheese dip!
Great recipe, thank you!
What can be substitute for dejon, not a fan.
Hi Kristen, you can replace it with a mustard you enjoy or leave it out.
We don’t have strong cheddar at present so I made this dip without any cheese other than cream. Substituted yogurt for the sour cream and used black pepper since we don’t have cayenne either. We also use mashed garlic so that’s what I put into this dip (requires a bit more than garlic powder). Turned out pretty good! Maybe not as strong as yours, but definitely still great! The only thing I’d recommend adding for texture is some minced chives.
Hi Cynthia, great suggestion. The shredded cheese also helps to add a lot of texture to this dip. If you make it again we definitely recommend adding it!
Will the consistency still be good if I use a stand mixer with the whisk or paddle attachment?
Yea for sure, a whisk attachment would be great!
Why can’t I find this on the website??
Hi Lisa, You can use the jump to recipe button at the top of the page. Hopefully, that helps!
Easy & everyone from 28 months- 60 loves this dip! It’s a WIN !
I am so happy to hear this recipe was such a hit Cheryl!
Can the Mayo be substituted for something else?
I would suggest additional sour cream.
In addition to Holly’s suggestion of sour cream as a substitute, here are some other possibilities I found depending on one’s tastes: mustard, pesto, greek yogurt, avocado and hummus.
Super easy and good! Added some green onion.
Great addition Terry.
I just made this. It was so easy and very good. It’s good even without the cayenne pepper. I did add it though and very good. Not too hot. You can always add more cayenne for more heat. Great with celery.