This post is sponsored by the Campbell Soup Company.
The Best Chip Dip Recipe
For a dip lover like me, there was no need for dinner after having my way with this chip dip. I can happily make a meal out of dips, and that’s exactly what happened here. I couldn’t resist. This cream cheese salsa dip is serious comfort food. It’s like amped up nachos meets Mexican-inspired lasagna, and it’s finger-lickin’ good stuff. Below is a photo of my 6-year old hand model. It’s the first time I’ve ever recruited her for blog work. I paid her in warm, cheesy, gooey chip dip. There are three types of cheese used in this easy chip dip (shredded cheese, cream cheese, cheddar soup), and with salsa and tortilla chips baked right in, there’s bold flavors and a variety of textures. It’s an extremely easy dip to make by simply layering 6 ingredients together in a baking dish.
The slightly crunchy texture from the baked-in tortilla chips, along with the gooey browned cheese, reminds me the nachos I used to eat after some late nights out in college. Oh, the memories. The smooth cream cheese contrasted with the chunky salsa gives the dip richness with contrasting textures. It’s a perfect tailgating or party dip. Super Bowl anyone? Or make it as a just because it’s Thursday dip that everyone will love. The leftovers re-heat nicely if you don’t devour it all at once. I served it the next night as a Mexican-themed lasagna. Even your pickiest recipe critics won’t be able to say no.
What’s in Chip Dip?
I remember my mom using Campbell’s Cream of Mushroom Soup in casseroles, and the Cheddar Cheese Soup is a great pairing with the other cheeses in this chip dip recipe. Here’s what else I used in this easy chip dip recipe:
Corn tortilla chips Campbell’s Cheddar Cheese Soup Fajita seasoning Shredded cheese Cream cheese Salsa
How to Make Chip Dip
Begin by adding a flat layer of corn tortilla chips into a pie dish. Allow them to overlap slightly to close up major gaps. This prevents the next layer, the soup, from seeping through. Add one can of Campbell’s Cheddar Cheese Soup. It’s considered a “cooking” soup rather than “eating” soup. It adds cheesy flavor, and as the dip bakes, the soup turns creamier and gives the dip more pizazz. Sprinkle on one packet of fajita seasoning mix. If you can’t find ‘fajita’ mix, most any kind of taco seasoning mix in a packet will work.
Then sprinkle on not quite half of one 8-ounce bag of shredded cheese, before topping with cream cheese. Top with your favorite salsa and the remaining cheese. I used mild salsa because my hand model was partaking, and she’s not a fan of four alarm fires, but use whatever heat level you prefer. Bake until it’s golden, bubbly, and your house smells like a Mexican restaurant.
Can I Add Meat to This Chip Dip?
I’m sure you could, although I haven’t tried it myself. If you decide to add ground meat, I think you’d want to spoon it over the tortilla chip layer so that the cheese on top can still become melted and golden in the oven.
Can I Bacon to This Chip Dip?
Again, I bet you could. You’d want to cook the bacon until crispy and then crumble it up before sprinkling it into this cream cheese salsa dip.
What Type of Shredded Cheese Should I Use?
Any shredded cheese will work in this chip dip recipe, just use whichever is your favorite. Personally, I like using a shredded Mexican cheese blend because I like how it pairs with the salsa and fajita seasoning.
Is There a Cream Cheese Substitute I Can Use?
Not that I’m aware of. If you can’t find cream cheese where you live, I recommend making another one of my easy dip recipes instead.
What Type of Salsa Should I Use?
You can use any store-bought salsa you’d like. You could even use a canned salsa verde if desired. Whatever you normally buy will work!
Can I Use Pico de Gallo Instead of Salsa?
I’m not sure. I recommend using canned salsa to be safe since I know for sure that works well in this chip dip recipe.
Can I Prep This Chip Dip in Advance?
Yes, you can assemble this cream cheese salsa dip up to 12 hours in advance and keep it covered in the fridge until you’re ready to bake, which is what I did, and my step shots were taken at night.
Can I Make This Chip Dip in a Slow Cooker?
I’m not sure how well that’d work since this chip dip has tortilla chips layered on the bottom. I think they’d become soggy if you warmed this chip dip in a slow cooker to serve it.
What to Serve with Baked Chip Dip
This cheesy baked chip dip pairs well with anything savory and crunchy. A few of my favorite things to dip into this cream cheese salsa dip are:
Bell pepper wedges Zucchini sticks Pita chips Tortilla chips Kettle chips Pretzel chips
Tips for Making the Best Chip Dip
It’s a little tricky to spread the cream cheese evenly over the shredded cheese without disturbing it, so it’s important your cream cheese be very well softened to room temp, which makes this easier. Also, make sure you’re using brick-style cream cheese and not the whipped kind that comes in a tub. Brick-style cream cheese is much thicker and creamier and makes for a super hearty dip that’s easy to scoop up onto a chip. A few readers have said they used flavored tortilla chips to make this chip dip (like lime tortilla chips). I used plain corn tortilla chips to make my cream cheese salsa dip, but flavored chips are a great idea too!
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