Family Secret Cheese Dip
Dive into creamy, melty perfection with our Family Secret Cheese Dip—a crowd-pleasing appetizer that's bound to steal the spotlight at your next gathering. This indulgent dip combines cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and Monterey Jack for a rich and velvety base, elevated with diced tomatoes and green chiles, a hint of smoked paprika, and the zesty kick of fresh jalapeño. Perfumed with ground cumin and finished with a burst of fresh cilantro, it’s a perfect marriage of bold flavors and comforting textures. Ready in just 25 minutes, this easy cheese dip pairs beautifully with tortilla chips, crisp veggies, or warm crusty bread. Whether you're hosting game night or bringing appetizers to a potluck, this homemade cheese dip recipe will quickly become a family favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese
- 10 oz diced tomatoes with green chiles
- 0.5 cup whole milk
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 0.5 tsp ground cumin
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 medium jalapeño, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Place the cream cheese, diced into smaller cubes for easier melting, into a medium-sized saucepan.
Add the unsalted butter and place the saucepan over medium heat.
Stir occasionally until the butter melts and the cream cheese softens to a smooth consistency.
Gradually stir in the milk to create a creamy base, ensuring the mixture doesn’t scorch.
Add the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese a handful at a time, stirring constantly to melt each addition fully before adding more.
Once the cheese has melted and the mixture becomes smooth, add the diced tomatoes with green chiles (do not drain), granulated garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
Stir in the finely chopped jalapeño and continue to cook over low heat for about 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
Once fully combined and heated through, taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or spices as needed.
Remove from heat and stir in the chopped fresh cilantro just before serving.
Pour the cheese dip into a serving bowl and serve immediately with tortilla chips, fresh vegetables, or crusty bread.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2515 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 221.5 g | 284% | |
| Saturated Fat | 134.1 g | 670% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 665 mg | 222% | |
| Sodium | 4549 mg | 198% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 47.9 g | 17% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.0 g | 14% | |
| Total Sugars | 22.7 g | ||
| Protein | 106.3 g | 213% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 7% | |
| Calcium | 2910 mg | 224% | |
| Iron | 3.0 mg | 17% | |
| Potassium | 1193 mg | 25% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
