This delicious Pioneer Woman Chili Cheese Dip is a quick and creamy appetizer perfect for any gathering. With savory ground beef, melty cheese, and a zesty kick, it’s a simple, crowd-pleasing dip you can easily customize with ingredients you have on hand. Serve with crispy tortilla chips for the ultimate snack!
Ingredients Needed
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 8 oz. ground beef
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1/2 small red onion, chopped
- 1 Tbsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 8 oz. processed cheese (such as Velveeta), cubed
- 8 oz. sharp yellow cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
- 1/2 cup homemade or store-bought pico de gallo
- Tortilla chips, for serving
How To Make Chili Cheese Dip
- Cook the Beef: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ground beef, garlic, and onion. Season with chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through.
- Add Liquids and Beans: Stir in the beef broth, tomato sauce, and pinto beans. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens and flavors meld. You should have around 2 1/2 cups of chili.
- Add Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and add the cubed processed cheese, stirring until melted. Add the shredded cheddar cheese, a handful at a time, stirring after each addition until fully melted.
- Serve: Top the dip with pico de gallo and serve with tortilla chips.
Recipe Tips
- Brown the Beef Well: Make sure to cook the ground beef thoroughly until it’s nicely browned. This adds more flavor to the dip.
- Stir Cheese in Gradually: Add the cheeses in small handfuls and stir well after each addition. This helps the cheese melt evenly for a smooth dip.
- Use Full-Fat Processed Cheese: For the creamiest dip, use full-fat processed cheese like Velveeta. It melts better and gives the dip a smooth texture.
- Adjust Spice Level: If you like your dip spicier, feel free to add a pinch of cayenne pepper or more chili powder to kick it up.
- Let the Dip Simmer: Let the chili simmer for a few minutes to blend the flavors. This makes the dip richer and more flavorful.
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers chili cheese dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Freeze leftovers chili cheese dip for up to 2 months in an airtight container. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat before serving.
- Reheating: To reheat leftovers chili cheese dip, warm the dip on the stove over low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until hot and creamy. Add a splash of beef broth or water if needed to restore the creamy texture.
Nutrition fact
Serving Size: 1/4 cup (approximately 71 grams)
- Calories: 140
- Total Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sodium: 280mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 5g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 1g
- Protein: 6g
More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
Pioneer Woman Chili Cheese Dip
Description
This delicious Pioneer Woman Chili Cheese Dip is a quick and creamy appetizer perfect for any gathering. With savory ground beef, melty cheese, and a zesty kick, it’s a simple, crowd-pleasing dip you can easily customize with ingredients you have on hand. Serve with crispy tortilla chips for the ultimate snack!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Cook the Beef: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ground beef, garlic, and onion. Season with chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through.
- Add Liquids and Beans: Stir in the beef broth, tomato sauce, and pinto beans. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens and flavors meld. You should have around 2 1/2 cups of chili.
- Add Cheese: Reduce the heat to low and add the cubed processed cheese, stirring until melted. Add the shredded cheddar cheese, a handful at a time, stirring after each addition until fully melted.
- Serve: Top the dip with pico de gallo and serve with tortilla chips.
Notes
- Brown the Beef Well: Make sure to cook the ground beef thoroughly until it’s nicely browned. This adds more flavor to the dip.
- Stir Cheese in Gradually: Add the cheeses in small handfuls and stir well after each addition. This helps the cheese melt evenly for a smooth dip.
- Use Full-Fat Processed Cheese: For the creamiest dip, use full-fat processed cheese like Velveeta. It melts better and gives the dip a smooth texture.
- Adjust Spice Level: If you like your dip spicier, feel free to add a pinch of cayenne pepper or more chili powder to kick it up.
- Let the Dip Simmer: Let the chili simmer for a few minutes to blend the flavors. This makes the dip richer and more flavorful.