8 Best Cheese Dips to Spice Up the Party
Most of us have been to a gathering that offered mediocre hors d'oeuvres. On the contrary, we've also attended get-togethers that featured an unforgettable display of delicious appetizers. If you're planning a party in the near future and wish to wow your guests' taste buds, focus on a crowd pleaser that never disappoints: cheese!
Whether you're serving Mexican fare or mixing it up with all sorts of snacks, cheese dip is a party favorite. From spicy queso recipes to Velveeta-based appetizers, give guests something to talk about. These eight cheesy dips and spreads will liven up the gathering and leave party-goers wanting more!
Game-Day Queso Dip
What is cheesy, creamy and yummy all over? A tortilla chip that is dripping with this delicious dip! When you think of queso recipes, you likely think of game-day gatherings. This easy-to-make cheese dip will let you focus on what’s most important: the game.
Servings: 24
Ingredients
1 lb.(16 oz.) Velveeta, cut into ½-inch cubes
1-¼ cups of your favorite salsa
Directions
Mix ingredients in 2-qt. microwaveable bowl.
Microwave on high 5 minutes or until Velveeta is completely melted, stirring after 3 minutes.
Serve with assorted cut-up fresh vegetables, crackers or tortilla chips.
Easy-Peasy Cheesy Dip
Just because it’s one of the best queso recipes around doesn’t mean it has to be complicated. This cheese dip is so simple that my 8-year-old could put it together! If you’re trying to keep the party menu low-carb, serve with fresh vegetables like broccoli, carrots, bell peppers and cucumbers.
Servings: 24
Ingredients
1 pkg.(8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 jar(15 oz.) Cheez Whiz cheese dip
½ cupsliced green onions
Directions
Mix all ingredients in 1-quart microwavable bowl until well blended.
Microwave on high 3 to 4 minutes or until heated through, stirring every minute.
Serve warm with tortilla chips, crackers or assorted vegetable dippers.
Bacon & Spinach Queso Dip
Comedian Jim Gaffigan devotes part of his stand-up special, King Baby, to the wonders of bacon, and most of your guests would agree with him: Bits of bacon are like the fairy dust of the food community. Once you throw crumbled bacon in this spinach cheese dip, you’ve officially raised the bar for all queso recipes.
Servings: 32
Ingredients
1 pkg.(10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained
1 lb.(16 oz.) Velveeta, cut into ½-inch cubes
4 oz.(½ of 8-oz. pkg.) cream cheese, cubed
1-¼ cups of your favorite salsa
8 slicescooked bacon, crumbled
Directions
Microwave ingredients in microwaveable bowl on high 5 minutes or until Velveeta is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 3 minutes.
Tailgaters’ Cheese Dip
When you think of tailgating, do you think of beer? If you answered yes, then you’ll love this queso recipe. Blending one-fourth cup of beer and one-fourth cup of ranch dressing with cheddar cheese and cream cheese, the Tailgaters’ Cheese Dip will be a party highlight indeed.
Servings: 5
Ingredients
1 pkg.(8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
¼ cup ranch dressing
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
¼ cupbeer
2 green onions, chopped
Directions
Beat cream cheese and dressing in medium bowl with mixer until blended.
Stir in remaining ingredients.
Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.
Sun-Dried Tomato & Balsamic Cheese Dip
This delightful cheese dip puts a spin on traditional queso recipes with the addition of ricotta and Parmesan cheeses, sun-dried tomatoes and balsamic vinegar. Instead of the typical tortilla chips, offer fresh vegetables for dipping and add a boost of color and flavor!
Servings: 16
Ingredients
1 container(15 oz.) ricotta cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp.chopped sun-dried tomatoes, drained
1 Tbsp.balsamic vinegar
½ tsp.salt
2 Tbsp.sliced green onions
Directions
Place all ingredients except onions in food processor container; cover. Process until well blended. Transfer to serving bowl.
Stir in green onions; cover.
Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Garnish with additional sliced green onions, if desired.
Baked Creamy Cheese Dip
Cream cheese is similar to bacon: it makes everything taste better, including queso recipes! Bake this cheese dip for just 20 minutes and serve warm—your guests will devour it in no time. Whether you’re putting together an informal gathering or a formal affair, this is a winning appetizer.
Servings: 32
Ingredients
2 pkg.(8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
1 pkg.(8 oz.) Mexican style finely shredded four cheese, divided
1 can(4 oz.) chopped green chiles, undrained
1-¼ cupssour cream, divided
¼ to ½ tsp.ground red pepper (cayenne)
Directions
Heat oven to 350ºF.
Beat cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Reserve ¼ cup shredded cheese. Add remaining shredded cheese to cream cheese with chiles, ½ cup sour cream and pepper; mix well.
Spoon into 10-inch pie plate or quiche dish.
Bake 20 minutes or until edge is lightly browned. Top with remaining sour cream and reserved shredded cheese. Serve with tortilla chips or fresh veggies.
Roasted Red Pepper Cheese Dip
Mozzarella cheese and whipped cream cheese unite with roasted red pepper for an out-of-this-world cheese dip. It’s one of the most delicious queso recipes you’ll find this side of party paradise—and your guests will agree. Just be sure to make enough!
Servings: 16
Ingredients
1 container(8 oz.) whipped cream cheese spread
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 jar(7 oz.) roasted red peppers, drained, chopped
¼ cupchopped fresh or frozen chives
Snack crackers
Directions
Mix cheeses, red peppers and chives until well blended; cover.
Refrigerate at least 1 hour to allow flavors to blend.
Serve as a dip with crackers.
Hot Ham & Cheese Dip
This is not just any ordinary cheese dip—it’s one of the most outstanding queso recipes around. The chopped apples and honey ham add a touch of sweetness, and the cinnamon sugar pita chips give each bite a beautiful crunch. So incredibly tasty, this cheese dip could pass for dessert!
Servings: 24
Ingredients
1 pkg.(8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese, divided
4 slices deli honey ham, finely chopped
1 cupchopped apples
1 Tbsp.chopped fresh chives
Stacy’s Cinnamon Sugar Pita Chips
Directions
Heat oven to 350ºF.
Mix cream cheese, ½ cup cheddar and ham; spread onto bottom of 8-inch pie plate sprayed with cooking spray.
Bake 15 minutes. Top with apples and remaining cheddar; bake 5 minutes or until cheddar is melted. Sprinkle with chives.
Serve warm.
About The Author
Sue Colburn believes in new beginnings… After her stint teaching 7th grade Social Studies, she set her sights on breaking into the Food Media industry one delicious recipe at a time. When not writing or cooking, Sue spends time with her 3 children, cats and her high-school sweetheart, who by the grace of God she also married. If you’d like a food article for your site please email her: SusanColburn@gmx.com. Follow her on Twitter:https://twitter.com/#!
