Velveeta Chili Cheese Dip

Made with just 2 simple ingredients, this classic Velveeta chili cheese dip is the appetizer of your dreams! It comes together in minutes and delivers the creamiest, cheesiest dip ever, flavored with hearty chili and Velveeta cheese.

And for more tasty dips, try Franks buffalo chicken dip, fried pickle dip, and Jarlsberg cheese dip.

Velveeta chili dip

I’m always a fan of anything super cheesy, and possibly my favorite type of appetizer is tasty, cheesy dip. Don’t get me wrong, baked burrata is lovely, Italian cheese bread is delicious, and who wouldn’t want this microwave buffalo chicken dip?

But a big skillet of hot, cheesy chili dip is such a crowd-pleaser and so simple to serve, even to children. Plus, Velveeta dips are often easier to make than other dishes and take very little time.

And this old-school chili dip recipe might be just the easiest of them all! With only 2 ingredients, it comes together in minutes and gives a flavor explosion: lusciously melty cheese and hearty chili. Yum!

Everyone raves about it every time I serve it, and I’m sure you and your family will love it too! And for a version with cream cheese, try my chili cream cheese dip.

And if you love cheesy dips, be sure to try these tasty pretzel bites with beer cheese!

Ingredients

Let’s talk some more about the 2 magical ingredients in this addictive Velveeta chili cheese dip recipe! It’s just simple items you can find at any grocery store (and may already have in your pantry). Please refer to the recipe card below for exact quantities.

• Velveeta cheese gives the dip an incredibly creamy, velvety texture unmatched by any other cheese. To make one batch of the dip, cut up a big 16-oz block of Velveeta into small (1/2-inch or so) cubes.
• Chili: Next, you’ll need a 15-oz can of your favorite chili. You can use classic chili (for example, Great Value Beef Chili), chili without beans (like Hormel No Beans Chili), or hot chili (such as Stagg Dynamite Hot Chili). Of course, homemade chili is a great option too!

How much does this recipe make?

16 oz Velveeta plus 15 oz chili yield approximately 20 to 24 servings. If you need to feed more mouths, double the ingredients. And if you are serving this dish for a small family, simply cut the quantities in half.

How to make Velveeta chili cheese dip

Velveeta cheese chili dip is often prepared on the stovetop, but you can also make it in the oven, your slow cooker or Crockpot, or even in the microwave. It’s so simple, and this is how you do it:

Stovetop

1. Place the cubed Velveeta cheese and chili in a cast iron skillet, medium saucepan, or non-stick frying pan.
2. Stir everything together over low to medium-low heat until the Velveeta has fully melted and the dip is bubbly.

Oven

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F / 190°C / gas mark 5.
2. Put the cheese cubes and canned chili into an oven-safe baking dish or skillet.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the cheese is melted and everything is well combined.

Microwave

1. Place the Velveeta cheese and chili in a microwave-safe serving dish or bowl.
2. Microwave in 1-minute increments, stirring each time, until melted and incorporated (about 3 to 5 minutes).

Crockpot Velveeta chili cheese dip

1. Combine the cubed Velveeta and chili in your slow cooker or Crockpot and heat on LOW for 30 minutes or so.
2. This option is great to keep the dip warm and melty while serving. Set your slow cooker to warm if the dip isn’t eaten right away.

Recipe tips

• Keep the dip from burning: The trick is to melt the cheese low and slow and stir occasionally. You can also spray your skillet or slow cooker with a non-stick cooking spray before adding the chili and cheese to ensure nothing gets stuck and burns.
• Add seasonings: Velveeta and chili are a flavorful combo, but that shouldn’t stop you from seasoning the dip with salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or garlic powder.
• Add milk to loosen it up: As the dip sits, it will thicken up a bit. Feel free to stir in a tablespoon of milk at a time to keep it loose and creamy.

Variations

Making this chili cheese dip recipe couldn’t be simpler. And as with many other easy appetizer recipes, you can change things up in different ways. This list of ideas has something for every taste.

• Swap the cheese: Use 2% milk Velveeta or queso blanco.
• Salsa: I love adding 1 to 2 small (4-oz) jars of red tomato salsa to this dip. It gives the Velveeta chili cheese dip a slightly sweet, savory flavor that pairs so deliciously with the luscious cheese.
• Green chilis: Fire-roasted Canned green chilis have a mild, somewhat sweet and smoky flavor with a hint of heat. Feel free to add a 10-oz can.
• Rotel tomatoes: Diced Rotel tomatoes with green chilis are a classic. They add so much flavor and a slightly spicy aroma. Pour in a 10-oz can, undrained.
• Cream cheese: For a seriously creamy dip, stir in 8-oz of cream cheese. It is also a great way to soften the heat.
• Veggies: Finely diced, sauteed veggies make a great addition to this dip. Try onions, mushrooms, bell pepper, broccoli, or whatever you like.
• Make it spicy: Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the recipe for an extra kick of spiciness.
• Chili cheese dip without Velveeta: If you aren’t a fan of Velveeta and would prefer to make a chili cheese dip without Velveeta, try our chili cheese dip with cream cheese.

Topping ideas

I like to garnish my chili cheese dip recipe with sliced scallions, diced canned green chilis, and a tablespoon of reserved chili. You could also top your dip with chopped tomatoes or peppers, grated cheddar, crumbled feta cheese, some beans, or sweet corn.

Serving suggestions

What should you serve with this ultra-cheesy Velveeta and chili dip? Just about anything you fancy! Here are a few of my favorite dippers to go with this dip:

• Tortilla chips, especially the ones shaped like scoops
• Pita chips
• Bagel chips
• Toasted baguette slices
• Crackers
• Fritos
• Strips of raw bell pepper
• Raw celery sticks
• Broccoli florets

Storage instructions

How to store and reheat Velveeta chili cheese dip

This chili dip recipe is quick enough to make on the day of serving, but you can save leftovers or make it ahead of time to make things easier.

• Store: Keep your leftover chili dip in an airtight container in the fridge., It will be good for 3 to 4 days.
• Reheat: You can reheat the dip in the microwave or oven. Make sure to heat it until the dip is hot all the way through.
• Serve leftovers: You can also reheat and serve leftovers over cooked pasta or hot baked potatoes.

Can you freeze Velveeta chili dip?

Although some recipes say you can freeze Velveeta chili cheese dip, I don’t recommend it. Velveeta doesn’t freeze well, and if you freeze and thaw the dip, it can split and become grainy.

Reasons to love Velveeta and chili dip

• Just 2 ingredients: If you like easy appetizers with few ingredients, this Velveeta chili cheese dip will be right up your alley. As the name suggests, you’ll only need 2 ingredients, a block of Velveeta cheese and a can of chili.
• Delicious taste + texture: Chili provides plenty of flavor and Velveeta gives this dip a perfectly creamy texture – without the risk of splitting or oiliness.
• Perfect party appetizer: Whether it’s game day, a casual get-together, a friend’s baby shower, or a graduation party, this chili cheese dip recipe is a serious crowd-pleaser, perfect for any occasion, and pairs so well with all kinds of dippers.

More recipes with Velveeta

From pasta to casseroles, here are a few more recipes that feature Velveeta as the star ingredient. They are all beyond easy to make and super family-friendly – just what you want in your recipe box!

• Velveeta Cheese Sauce
• Easy Velveeta Hamburger Helper
• Mac and Cheese with Velveeta
• Velveeta Beef Stroganoff
• Velveeta Broccoli Casserole
• Cheesy Velveeta Scalloped Potatoes