Description
This Baked Cheesy Bean Dip is the quintessential appetizer for game days, potlucks, or casual family gatherings. It features a rich, velvety base of cream cheese and sour cream mixed with savory refried beans and a generous double-layer of melted cheese for the ultimate crowd-pleasing snack. Served warm and bubbly right out of the oven, this dip is infused with zesty taco seasoning and finished with a golden-brown crust of Monterey Jack and Cheddar.
Ingredients
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 (16 ounce) cans refried beans
- 1 (8 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 (8 ounce) package shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley
- 1/2 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
- 5 drops hot pepper sauce
Instructions
Step 1: Cream the Base
Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese and sour cream until the mixture is completely smooth and well blended. Use an electric mixer for the smoothest results.
Step 2: Mix the Filling
Stir in the refried beans, half of the shredded Cheddar, half of the Monterey Jack, the chopped green onions, dried parsley, taco seasoning, and hot pepper sauce. Mix until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Step 3: Assemble and Top
Transfer the bean mixture to an 8×12-inch baking dish, smoothing it out with a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining half of the Cheddar and Monterey Jack evenly over the top.
Step 4: Bake until Bubbly
Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 30 minutes. The dip is ready when it is hot throughout and the cheese on top is melted and golden brown.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Remove from the oven and serve warm with your favorite sturdy dippers.
Notes
Storage and Reheating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, place individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or reheat the entire dish in a 350°F oven until bubbly.
Spice Adjustment: For those who prefer a ‘hot’ dip, stir in a 4-ounce can of diced green chilies or use a ‘spicy’ variety of refried beans. You can also double the hot pepper sauce or top with pickled jalapeños before baking.
Freshness Tip: Shredding blocks of cheese at home rather than using pre-shredded bags will result in a much smoother melt, as pre-shredded cheese contains anti-clumping agents that can lead to a grainier texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 315
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: baked bean dip, cheesy refried bean dip, mexican appetizer, game day dip, easy bean dip recipe, hot cheesy appetizer