Spicy Frito Chili Cheese Dip

Growing up, our family game nights always meant one thing: Frito chili cheese dip. Mom would grab a bag of Fritos, a can of chili, and that brick of yellow cheese from the fridge. It wasn’t fancy, but it was our tradition.

I never knew there were other ways to make it until my neighbor brought her version to a block party. She used different cheeses and added a few simple ingredients that changed everything. That’s when I realized this simple dip could be so much more than just dumping and heating – though let’s be honest, even the basic version still hits the spot every time.

What Kind of Ground Beef Should I Use?

For a dip like this, you’ll want to start with ground beef that has a lean-to-fat ratio of 80/20 or 85/15. This balance gives you enough fat to keep the meat flavorful and juicy, but not so much that your dip becomes greasy. If you use meat that’s too lean (like 93/7), your dip might end up a bit dry and less flavorful. When cooking the ground beef, make sure to break it up into small, even crumbles – this makes it easier to scoop up with chips. After browning, don’t skip the draining step, as this helps prevent a layer of grease from forming on top of your dip.

Options for Substitutions

This dip is pretty forgiving and you’ve got plenty of options for switching things up:

• Ground beef: You can easily swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat alternatives. Just make sure to drain well after cooking to avoid a greasy dip.
• Cream cheese: Neufchatel cheese works great as a lighter option. You could also use a mix of sour cream and cream cheese (use 4 oz cream cheese and 1/2 cup sour cream).
• Rotel tomatoes: Any brand of diced tomatoes with green chilies will work. You can also use regular diced tomatoes and add a small can of diced green chilies.
• Canned chili: If you can’t find Bush’s Chili Magic, any canned chili without beans will work. Or use a packet of chili seasoning mixed with 15 oz of tomato sauce.
• Cheddar cheese: Feel free to mix it up with Monterey Jack, Colby, or a Mexican cheese blend. Just avoid pre-shredded cheese as it doesn’t melt as smoothly.
• Bacon: Turkey bacon works fine, or you can leave it out. For a vegetarian option, try using crushed potato chips or extra Fritos for that crunchy element.
• Fritos Scoops: While Fritos Scoops are perfect for this dip, tortilla chips, corn chips, or even thick potato chips can work as alternatives.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when making chili cheese dip is dealing with excess liquid, which can make your dip runny and unappetizing – be sure to drain both the ground beef and tomatoes thoroughly, letting them sit in a colander for a few extra minutes to release all excess moisture.

Temperature control is crucial: adding cold cream cheese directly to hot ingredients can create unwanted lumps, so let it come to room temperature first and blend it in gradually while your mixture is warm but not piping hot.

When layering your toppings, resist the temptation to add them all at once – instead, add the cheese first and let it melt slightly, then follow with the bacon and green onions just before serving to maintain their crispy texture.

For the best dipping experience, serve your Fritos on the side rather than on top of the dip, as they’ll quickly become soggy when sitting in the warm mixture, and consider keeping some extra heated dip in a slow cooker set to warm for longer parties.

What to Serve With Frito Chili Cheese Dip?

While Fritos are the classic choice for scooping up this hearty dip, you can set up a fun chip station with different options like tortilla chips, corn chips, or even thick-cut potato chips. To balance out all that richness, try serving some fresh veggies on the side – celery sticks, baby carrots, and sliced bell peppers work great and add a nice crunch. If you’re hosting a party, consider putting out some other game day favorites like chicken wings, sliders, or a veggie platter to round out your snack spread. Remember to keep the dip warm in a slow cooker or heated serving dish so it stays perfectly dippable throughout your gathering!

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This tasty dip stays good in the fridge for up to 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container. Just keep in mind that the Fritos should always be served fresh on the side – nobody likes soggy chips! The cheese might solidify a bit in the fridge, but don’t worry about that.

Make Ahead: You can prep this dip a day before your party! Make the entire recipe except for the Fritos and final toppings (green onions and extra cheese). Store it covered in the fridge, then when you’re ready to serve, just warm it up and add your fresh toppings.

Warm Up: To bring leftover dip back to its creamy glory, warm it up in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each round. Or pop it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until it’s hot and bubbly again. Add a splash of milk if it seems too thick after reheating.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	15-20 minutes
Total Time	25-35 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2600-2900
• Protein: 150-170 g
• Fat: 170-200 g
• Carbohydrates: 100-120 g

Ingredients

• 1 pound cooked and drained ground beef
• 1 block softened cream cheese
• 10 ounces of canned diced tomatoes, well drained (such as rotel)
• 15 ounces canned chili mix (like bush’s chili magic)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 to 2 teaspoons hot sauce (like louisiana)
• 1/2 medium white onion, chopped
• 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 5 crispy bacon strips, chopped
• 2 chopped green onions (use both green and white parts)
• Frito’s scoops for serving

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

This ensures your oven is at the right temperature when you’re ready to bake the dip.

Step 2: Prepare the Dip Mixture

In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cooked hamburger, and all remaining dip base ingredients.

Mix thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well-blended.

Take a moment to taste the mixture and adjust the seasonings according to your preference.

Step 3: Assemble in the Skillet

Grease or butter an oven-safe skillet; a 10″ cast iron skillet works well for this recipe.

Add the prepared dip mixture into the skillet and spread it evenly.

Top with an additional layer of cheddar cheese for extra cheesy goodness.

Step 4: Bake the Dip

Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until the cheese is melted and the dip is heated through.

Step 5: Add Toppings and Finish Baking

Remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle chopped bacon over the top.

Return to the oven and continue cooking for another 3-4 minutes, or until the dip is bubbly around the edges and the bacon has warmed.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Once the dip is done cooking, take it out of the oven and finish it off by adding diced green onions on top for a fresh kick.

Serve the dip warm along with your choice of dippers, such as chips, crackers, or sliced veggies.