Leftover Chili Dip
Leftover chili dip is one of those genius, no-fuss ways to turn yesterday’s dinner into today’s snack-time win.
Whether you’ve got a big container of chili hanging out in the fridge or just a few spoonfuls to spare, this dip recipe is the ultimate way to give those leftovers new life.
It’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with bold flavor — perfect for game day, movie night, or any time you need a quick appetizer recipe that doesn’t feel like a repeat meal. Serve it with tortilla chips, crusty bread, or even fresh veggies for dipping.
The best part? No one will ever guess it started with leftovers.
You will be shocked at how easy it is to whip this up — you’ll want to make extra chili just so you can make this recipe!
This easy chili cheese dip comes together with just three simple ingredients and a whole lot of flavor! You’ll want to scroll down to grab the full printable recipe with all the details, but here’s the quick rundown.
Start with your favorite chili. Use what you have. Leftover homemade chili is perfect, but canned chili works great too.
Mix it with softened cream cheese in a skillet over medium-low heat until it’s creamy and combined.
Then transfer to a greased baking dish, top it with plenty of shredded cheddar or pepper jack, and bake until it’s bubbly and golden.
Want a little kick? The spice level in this dip totally depends on your chili and cheese— keep it mild with cheddar, or turn up the heat with pepper jack, green chilies, or a splash of hot sauce.
Add your favorite toppings like green onions, sour cream, hot sauce, or black olives.
Your dip will stay good in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days when stored in an airtight container. Just let it cool completely before transferring it to the fridge. When you’re ready to reheat, pop it in the microwave in 30-second bursts (stirring in between), or warm it in the oven at 350°F until it’s hot and bubbly again.
Yep! Just mix everything in your slow cooker, cover, and cook on low for 1–2 hours until melted and bubbly. Stir occasionally.
Tortilla chips are the classic, but you can also use toasted bread, pita chips, pretzels, or even fresh veggie sticks.
If you’re loving this quick dip using leftover chili, don’t miss this football dip recipe — it’s a game day favorite packed with bold, crowd-pleasing flavor!
Chili Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 2 cups Chili
- 4 oz Cream Cheese
- 2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese (shredded)
- Scallions (diced for garnish)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, mix together chili and cream cheese.
- In an oven safe skillet or dish, spoon the chili mixture over the bottom.
- Top with shredded cheese.
- Bake 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove chili cheese dip from oven and top with scallions.
- Serve your chili cheese dip warm with corn or tortilla chips.
My entire family would wolf this down in a heartbeat! This will be perfect for our next game night party that we are planning. It looks so good.
Add this to the “So many delicious snacks for the holidays” list! I love another variation of chili cheese dip, and this one looks good too.
Game Day is going to get an upgrade with this delicious dip recipe. I love chili and cheese together. It’s a great combo!
WOOT! I have to make some of this for our next game night! I need all that cheesy goodness in my life.
This is a great use for the leftover chili that no one wants to eat. Make this, put out some chips and chicken tenders and dinner is done!
My husband loves his chili cheese. In fact that is one of his favorite foods ever! Looks good!
I love a great dip for chips. This sounds amazing too. Chili is great, so I bet this dip is too.
This sounds like a tasty dip! I love chili sauce with cheese, so this would be a winner in our home.
This looks yummy. My husband and I could eat this like a meal. Perfect for watching a great movie or a ball game!
YUM! I’ve been looking for a good side dish to bring to a neighborhood party, I’m going to have to give this a try! Looks fantastic.
Great ideas. My kids love chilli and this way they can eat it all without even realizing they are eating leftovers
This looks so good! I love chili cheese dip, it’s one of my favorite appetizers at parties.
I love the fact that this is not complicated at all to make! It’s something that the kids and I will enjoy during a movie night! I definitely would love to try this.
Chili and Cheese? Sign me up! That looks delish, I’m always up for some good dip.
Your Chili Cheese Dip looks so good. I could make a meal out of it.
This would disappear so fast at my house. I need to make this really soon.
This looks amazing! I love Chili dips and this one sounds really good and easy to make! I love Hunts and Bush’s so I know this is going to be delicious!
This looks like a really delicious chili cheese dip! I am going to have to try this for my next party.
YUMMY! This looks really super yummy. I am going to have to make this asap. I am a huge fan of cheese dips like this.
Yummo!! One thing I love about the cold weather is CHILI!!! Its pretty much perfection lol!! But dips have a way to my heart and this looks seriously perfect!! Must try it!
I bet this is a favorite to every place you take it! we make one similar and it’s gone in minutes!
This looks super delicious. I am going to have to try it for some of our upcoming get togethers.
yum! This looks so good and would be perfect for a holiday party!
I haven’t made chili in a really long time. But you’ve inspired me to make it soon. Now that the weather is getting cooler, it is perfect chili weather! Your chili looks so yummy!
This looks so yummy! My husband always tells me that him and his college buddies used to make something like this for game days. I should surprise him with it!
Cheese always makes chili taste better, so does sour cream and tortilla chips. This dip would be perfect for all the upcoming bowl games or holiday get togethers.
This looks so delicious. My husband and son would devour this dip and want more.
Oh wow! That looks so yummy and cheesy! Chili cheese dip would be an excellent game day dish!
This looks like a recipe my family would devour! I can’t wait to try it.
I’m a huge fan of chili cheese dip. This looks satisfying. I need to make this for the whole family!
This is a fantastic dip recipe!! I’d have to make chili specifically for this because there is rarely leftover chili.
This sounds delicious, I love dips! This would definitely be perfect for all of the cold weather and rain that we have been having lately too. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Getting ready to make this but what is the oven temp??
I am so sorry, 350 degrees. I made the update.