Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip

Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip is a game day standard when it comes to appetizers. It’s hot and spicy and loaded with creamy cheese flavor. Just a handful of grocery staples and you can whip up this dip recipe in minutes.

Whether you make it for your Super Bowl Party or just a quiet night at home, this  easy popper dip is one to keep in your repertoire alongside Jalapeno Artichoke Dip and Easy Jalapeno Poppers.

this …

Jump to:

• Why Make This
• Ingredients
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• What to do with leftovers?
• FAQs
• Tasty Jalapeno Recipes
• Tell us what you think!
• Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip

As when many good cheap eats this Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip began with Shopping the Kitchen. We were getting out of debt, so I was trying to be smarter in the kitchen.

I had leftover jalapenos and bell pepper  to use up and started adding things until something delicious was ready to go. 

It is delicious cold with veggie dippers, but cozily warming if served hot from the oven with tortilla chips or cocktail breads. We’ve enjoyed it as a filling for poppers and quesadillas as well as a topping for pizza and nachos. It’s one of my favorite dip recipes.

Why Make This

It’s delicious. With fresh jalapenos and bell pepper, this cream cheese dip is loaded with goodness. Cream cheese, sour cream, and sharp cheddar cheese bring enough creaminess to balance out the heat.

It’s make-ahead. You can prep this dip a day or two in advance and chill it in the fridge. Then slide it in the oven shortly before you want to serve it.

It’s a great alternative to commercial dips. One of the beauties of this dip is how fresh it is! There are no preservatives or additives to cloud the fresh flavors. Be sure to use any leftovers on my yummy Jalapeno Pizza.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip:

olive oil – You just need a bit of oil for sauteeing the veggies. You can use butter or another oil if that’s what you have.

Fresh peppers – This dip calls for both jalapeno and red bell peppers. You can use another color bell pepper if you need to. Likewise, if you only have canned or pickled jalapeños, those would be a fine substitute as well. Remember you can freeze jalapeños and bell peppers if you have extra.

garlic and green onion – These aromatics bring great flavor to the Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip.

cream cheese – You’ll need one brick of softened cream cheese, it can be either neufchatel or full fat cream cheese. Cream cheese lasts awhile in the fridge, so buy extra when you see a sale and stash it for your next cheese dip craving.

cheese – I like using shredded sharp cheddar cheese, but you can use pepper jack or parmesan cheese if you prefer.

sour cream – Some people use mayonaise, but I like the creaminess of sour cream. Try to use full fat sour cream.

Optional topping – I like to top this Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip with cheese, just some people like to add panko bread crumbs. Feel free to do so if you prefer.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to make Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip:

• Preheat the oven to 400°. Spray a 4-cup baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• In a small saute pan, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the jalapeno, red pepper, and garlic. Saute for several minutes until the peppers and garlic are soft. Allow to cool slightly.
• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a plastic blade, place the pepper mixture, cream cheese, half the shredded cheese, the sour cream, and scallions. Blend until smooth. 
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish. Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
• Bake for 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Serve with tortilla chips.

How to make it without a food processor:

If you don’t have a food processor, you can still make this tasty Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip. Prior to sauteing the vegetables, chop them very fine. Blend the ingredients together in a stand mixer or with a hand mixer and mixing bowl.

FAQs

Tasty Jalapeno Recipes

This post was originally published on February 9, 2012. It has been updated for content and clarity.