Creamy Cheesy Bean Dip
- PREP 10min
- COOK 20min
- TOTAL 30min
Perfect for parties, watching the game and family gatherings, this easy bean dip comes together in no time. Start with canned refried beans or use homemade refried beans to make it. If you follow our recipe for refried beans, you may want to reduce the amount of cumin since we already call for cumin in the refried beans recipe.
You Will Need
One 15-ounce can refried beans or use 1 3/4 cups refried beans, see our homemade refried beans
2 teaspoons olive oil
3/4 cup finely chopped onion (half medium onion)
1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
3/4 teaspoon ancho chili powder, try our homemade chili powder
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 cup mild or medium salsa, try our roasted tomato salsa
One 4-ounce can diced green chilies, see notes
1/2 cup (4 ounces) cream cheese
1/2 cup (4 ounces) sour cream
3/4 cup shredded cheese
Salt and fresh ground black pepper
Pinch cayenne or hot sauce, optional for spicy dip
Optional toppings: Fresh lime juice, diced avocado, chopped tomatoes, sliced jalapeño, fresh cilantro, hot sauce
Directions
Heat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176° C).
Heat olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic then cook, stirring occasionally until the onions are soft, translucent, and smell sweet; about 5 minutes. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and coriander.
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together the refried beans, salsa, diced chilies, cream cheese, and sour cream. When they are ready, stir in the cooked spiced onions and garlic.
Taste the dip, and then adjust with salt and pepper as needed. For a spicy bean dip, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce.
Transfer about half of the dip to a small baking dish (see suggestions in the notes below). Scatter half of the shredded cheese over the dip then top with the remaining bean dip. Finish with the remaining shredded cheese.
Bake the dip until hot throughout and the cheese melted, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve warm with a spritz of fresh lime juice on top.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Dish suggestions: Most small (1 1/2 to 2 quart) baking dishes will work. We’ve also used small (8-inch) cast iron pans for baking and serving.
- For vegetarian bean dip, make sure that you use vegetarian refried beans. For vegan bean dip, use vegan refried beans, vegan sour cream and vegan cream cheese (a combination of or use just one), as well as vegan shredded cheese or substitute with 4 to 5 tablespoons of nutritional yeast for sprinkling in the middle and on top.
- Diced green chilies are sold in small 4-ounce cans at the supermarket. We love the Hatch brand and usually purchase mild.
- Nutrition facts: The nutrition facts provided below are estimates. We have used the USDA database to calculate approximate values.
If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag it #inspiredtaste — We love to see your creations on Instagram and Facebook! Find us: @inspiredtaste