Bean Dip with Cheddar Cheese (Printable Version)

Smooth beans combined with sharp cheddar cheese and spices for a warm, savory treat.

# What You Need:

→ Bean Base

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 & Toppings

12 - 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
14 - 1 small tomato, diced
15 - 2 tablespoons sliced green onions

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine refried beans, sour cream, and cream cheese. Mix until smooth and creamy.
03 - Stir in red onion, garlic, jalapeño, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until well incorporated.
04 - Fold in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture.
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 surface.
07 - Bake for 18–20 minutes until hot and bubbly with melted cheese on top.
08 - Remove from oven and let cool for 3–5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro, diced tomato, and green onions.
09 - Serve warm with tortilla chips, vegetable sticks, or crackers for dipping.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • This dip comes together in under 10 minutes of prep, then the oven does all the work
  • The combination of creamy beans and sharp cheddar creates the kind of addictive flavor that keeps people coming back for just one more chip
02 -
  • I learned the hard way that this dip holds heat forever, so let it cool for at least 5 minutes unless you want to burn the roof of your mouth like I did
  • The cheese layer on top acts as insulation, so the dip underneath stays hot much longer than you would expect
03 -
  • Mix everything thoroughly but gently once the cheese is added to keep the texture smooth and creamy
  • Use the smallest holes on your grater for the topping cheese so it melts into that perfect golden crust

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