This easy 4-layer dip is a fan favorite. Layers of cream cheese, chili beans, restaurant-style salsa, and a mixture of Colby and Jack cheeses come together to make a delicious dip that will have your friends and family begging for more.
It’s the time of the year when I really try to step up my snack game, and by “time of the year,” I mean football season. What is it about watching football that gives you the munchies? Seriously, there has to be some sort of science behind it. Maybe all that cheering and fist pumping works up an appetite. When it comes to game-day snacks you can’t go wrong with chips and salsa, but sometimes I like to take it up a notch and make an Easy 4-Layer Dip.
A few of my other favorite game day recipes are Refried Bean Dip, Slow Cooker Pineapple Teriyaki Meatballs and this Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip that will feed a crowd.
I’m such a fan of fresh salsa, but to be honest, I rarely take the time to make my own anymore. I usually pick up a fresh restaurant-style salsa that can be found chilled in the Produce section of your grocery store. I love this stuff. You can really taste the freshness!
You can probably make this 4-layer dip with ingredients you already have in your fridge and pantry.
This layered dip is really great all on its own with some tortilla chips, but sometimes I like to mix things up and use it in a dip. Chips and salsa is one of the few things I could seriously eat every day of the week, and never get tired of it.
Are you ready to step up your game? You’re going to love how simple this recipe is.
Variations (or, What If I Want More Layers?)
So we’ve covered the cream cheese, bean, salsa, and cheese layers, but what if you want more layers? You have a number of options.
- Guacamole layer: Mash avocado with lime juice, diced onion, minced garlic, cilantro, and salt for another creamy layer.
- Hummus layer: Another option for creaminess. Store-bought or homemade, either is good.
- Pico de gallo layer: Siimilar to the salsa layer so you may want to go with one or the other. Mix diced tomato, onion, jalapeno, cilantro, lime juice, and salt.
- Roasted red pepper layer: Blend roasted red peppers with the cream cheese for a tangy and creamy layer.
- Lettuce layer: Shredded lettuce for the cool crunch.
What dish do you use?
While any oven-safe dish will work, if you want a beautiful presentation, this BIA Cordon Bleu Wavy Collection 3-Quart Rectangular Baker with Handles is absolutely beautiful. The handles make it easier to remove from the oven.
How To Store 4-Layer Dip
Cover the dip with a layer of plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can then store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the dip, though the dairy may turn grainy if frozen then thawed. As well, if you use a guac layer, it will turn brown and won’t look as appealing.
Easy 4-Layer Dip
Ingredients
- 8 ounces block cream cheese
- 16 ounces can chili beans
- 16 ounces salsa
- 1.5 cup Colby and Jack cheeses shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a bowl, mix cream cheese until smooth.
- In the bottom of an oven safe dish, spread cream cheese into an even layer.
- After opening chili beans, pour off some of the liquid from the top (approximately half)
- Spread beans over cream cheese layer.
- Sprinkle with cheeses.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until the edges are hot and bubbly and cheese is melted.
- Sprinkle on some chopped green onion, if you like. Totally optional, but I like the bit of color that it adds to the dish. Serve warm with tortilla chips.
This recipe looks so delicious and easy to make. I want to make this and have chips with it for a movie snack. My kids would love it.
This dip is a hit at our get-togethers. Thank you for sharing.
Love the idea for salsa as a snack. I’m a big fan of spicy foods.
So easy and yet sooo good, oh I want to make it asap!
This looks so delcious! Thanks for the recipe!
That looks so delicious! And easy with just four ingredients! Hungry!
Your recipes look & sound yummy!!!
This looks yummy. It looks like a fun dip for Football games.
I love layer dips like this. Sometimes I add a guacamole layer or a shredded lettuce layer.