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Layered Mexican Cheese Dip

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Easy Cheesy Mexican Dip is the ultimate game day snack or party appetizer recipe! Just layer 4 ingredients and bake until hot and melty. Then rip open that bag of tortilla chips and get ready to scoop up ooey gooey layers of cheese and salsa and more cheese and more salsa.

Looking for more gluten-free Cinco de Mayo food? Try Skillet Chicken Enchiladas and Mexican Hot Dog Taquitos!

scooping up a cheesy dip with a tortilla chip

Originally published January 21, 2014. Updated with new photos and more helpful information on February 4, 2021.

Easy Cheesy Mexican Dip – a Most-Requested Recipe

My mom and I have a thing for cheesy dips. My most-requested recipe by family and friends is my Honey Nut Baked Brie recipe. When my mom gets invited to a party, she is always asked, or dare I say, begged to make her Mexican cheese dip.

She is always happy to make a batch because it literally takes just minutes to assemble. Then she just pops it in the oven before she is ready to leave for the party, or even once she arrives.

Friends and family are thrilled because oh, the cheese. THE CHEESE!

It’s at the point that instead of waiting to be asked, she just offers to bring it because she knows it will get devoured. And it’s so easy to make with only 4 ingredients.

It’s like an extra cheesy, simplified version of a Mexican Seven Layer Dip but with only four layers – the four best layers!

hot dip with melted cheese on top in a white baking dish

Easy Mexican Dip Recipe

Here is a brief overview so you can see just how easy it is to make. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for the full quantities and details.
But don’t skip my PRO TIPS below!

What You’ll Need

  • Cream cheese – regular or light both are good. I do NOT recommend fat free, as it doesn’t melt well. Let it soften to room temperature to make spreading easier.
  • Salsa con Queso – choose your favorite brand, and feel free to use hot, medium or mild.
  • Salsa – choose your favorite brand, and feel free to use hot, medium or mild.
  • Shredded cheese – I usually use just sharp cheddar, but feel free to use Monterey Jack, pepper Jack, or a combination. Grate it yourself or use a bag of pre-shredded cheese.

What to bake it in

  • Casserole Dish
  • Rectangular or square glass baking dish
  • Aluminum pan – if you are taking the dip to a party and don’t want to reclaim your baking pan, just spread the layers in an aluminum pan so you can toss it in the trash when it is gone.

How to layer Mexican dip

  1. Spread the cream cheese in an eve layer in the bottom of the pan.
  2. Pour the queso over the stop and spread evenly.
  3. Gently spoon the salsa over the top to cover the queso completely.
  4. Scatter shredded cheese on top of everything.

Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until hot and melty. Then just rip open a bag of tortilla chips and dig in!

Dipping a tortilla chip into layered Mexican dip

Toppings for Mexican dip

We like to scoop up this dip just as it is, but you can customize with toppings:

  • Shredded lettuce
  • Chopped tomatoes
  • Sliced jalapenos
  • Red onions or green onions
  • Cilantro
  • Sour cream
  • Guacamole
  • spooning mexican cheese dip into a bowl
  • hot mexican dip in a baking dish and spooned into a bowl
  • dipping a tortilla chip in a cheesy dip in a bowl

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mexican dip gluten free?

You can make a gluten free Mexican dip. Cream cheese, salsa, and cheese are all gluten free. You’ll need to make sure you buy a jar of gluten free queso, though.

Please confirm by reading labels or contacting the manufacturer, but at the time of writing this post, the following information was available:

  • Tostitos Salsa con Queso – contains no gluten ingredients, but may be manufactured in a facility that handles other wheat products.
  • Mission Salsa con Queso – not clearly listed on the company website.
  • Wise Salsa con Queso – listed as gluten free on the company website.
  • On the Border Salsa con Queso – listed as gluten free on the company website.
  • Chi-Chi’s Salsa con Queso – listed as gluten free on the company website.

Can I use homemade queso?

Yes, you’ll need about 1 1/2 cups if you want to use your own queso recipe.

Can I make this in advance?

You can definitely layer the ingredients in the pan the night before or early in the day. Just cover and store in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake it. It may need a couple of extra minutes in the oven to get hot all the way to the middle.

You can reheat it in the oven or microwave, too. The cheese doesn’t get quite as gooey, but it is still delicious.

layered hot salsa and cheese dip in a casserole dish

Make it a Party

More Mexican appetizer recipes

And don’t forget the Grapefruit Margaritas or Pina Colada Mules!

dipping a chip into mexican dip
Tablet displaying cover of Simply Gluten Free Holiday Appetizers eBook

More cheesy dip recipes

dipping a chip into mexican dip
Print Recipe
4.47 from 32 votes

Easy Cheesy Mexican Dip

Get your tortilla chips ready to scoop up ooey gooey layers of salsa and cheese in this simple appetizer recipe. Just layer four simple ingredients and bake until hot and melty. Then it's party time!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time25 mins
Course: Appetizer, Dip
Cuisine: Mexican, Tex Mex
Keyword: cheese dip, mexican dip
Servings: 12
Calories: 222kcal
Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

Ingredients

  • 8 oz. package cream cheese, light or regular
  • 15-16 oz. jar of salsa con queso
  • 15-16 oz. jar of salsa, mild, medium, or hot
  • 1.5 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper Jack, or a combination)
  • Toppings, if desired, such as jalapenos, onions, tomatoes, cilantro, etc.
  • Tortilla chips

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Spread cream cheese in an even layer in the bottom of a square or small rectangular (about 11 x 7 inches) baking dish.
  • Pour the salsa con queso over the cream cheese layer and spread evenly.
  • Gently spoon the salsa over the queso layer to cover completely.
  • Sprinkle the cheese over the top of the salsa.
  • Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through and cheese is melted and lightly browned.
  • Scatter toppings on top, if desired and serve with tortilla chips for dipping.
Tried this recipe?Mention @cupcakekalechip or tag #cupcakesandkalechips!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 1034mg | Potassium: 235mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 775IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 236mg | Iron: 1mg

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Comments

  7. Soni says

    My favorite appetizer has to be Kebabs! I also always serve some kind of dip with chips and yours look like the next one to try 🙂 Delicious!

    Reply

  9. Constance Smith (@FoodieArmyWife) says

    My favorite would be a tie between Drunk Moose Meatballs, Chicken Wings or Artichoke Spinach Dip 🙂

    Reply

  26. Rachel says

    I pinned this make it later, my husband and I love anything with cheese! In fact, if I had cream cheese at home right now I’d scrap tonight’s dinner plan and make this!

    My two favorite appetizers are buffalo chicken dip and jelly meatballs. The meatballs are my super easy requested recipe.

    Reply

  27. Cassandra says

    I love bbq meatballs in the crockpot… or the mexican dip that is just layered cream cheese, canned chili and shredded cheese. Yum Yum.

    Reply

  36. Rebecca says

    We have a family recipe called “Seafood Pizza” that is actually a dip! The base is cream cheese and other seasonings spread on a plate, topped with a layer of cocktail sauce to look like tomato sauce and baby shrimp and crab meat for “cheese.”

    Reply

  42. Wild Orchid says

    I love 7 layer mexican dip.

    Entered the rafflecopter as “Wild orchid”

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  46. Laura says

    3 stars
    My family loves the cocktail smokies wrapped in bacon then covered in brown sugar and baked for about 45 min. Doesn’t matter where I take them, they disappear very quickly!

    Reply

  48. Rebecca D says

    Our favorite app is simply potato chips with onion dip made from Lipton Onion Soup Mix and sour cream. Family fav that goes way back!

    Reply

  51. Cindy Dupin says

    I so need new pots and pans, mine are all hand me downs and I can’t find the lids to most of them… These are pretty enough to put on the table as well !!!! Love them !!! Thanks for the opportunity to win them !!!! Good luck everyone !!!!!!!!!! BTW: thanks for all the wonderful recipes, I so enjoy your page !!!!!!!!!! 🙂

    Reply

  53. Alison says

    This is such an amazing giveaway! I go for the classic chips and salsa/guacamole appetizer, but I like to make at least the guacamole from scratch.

    Reply

  56. Laurie says

    My favorite appetizer for game day is the min hot dogs in a sweet and spicy sauce that I cook in a crock-pot! Yum!

    Reply

  70. Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says

    5 stars
    I adore guacamole! Still feel a tad bit healthy when I eat a lil too much! Its all healthy fat right?

    Reply

  77. Nancy A. says

    I just usually cut up Velveeta cheese in a bowl, add a can of Rotel tomatoes and microwave. Quick, warm and yummy!

    Reply

  81. Amy Lewis says

    My favorite game day appetizer would have to be Jalapeno Poppers and Jalapeno Popper Dip! The best and you can’t go wrong with them!!!

    Reply

  85. K. Jones says

    I am ALL ABOUT ANYTHING with CHEESE!!!!! This is a great idea for my little Superbowl gathering I will be having. My plan was the spinach/artichoke dip, but this is it!!! Thank you. #Cheesenista

    Reply

  97. Beva Bradford says

    5 stars
    My favorite game day appetizer is Homemade Queso! This recipe looks delicious, will have to add it to the menu.

    Reply

    • Chris says

      before, You r amazing!!! []Patty Rodriguez Reply:April 28th, 2011 at 10:40 pmThanks so much finerd!!![]Patty Rodriguez Reply:June 5th, 2011 at 5:22 pmthanks for your comment Rebecca, looking forward to cooking with you![]

      Reply

  102. Diana Cote says

    5 stars
    I love making little chili cups topped with sour cream, guacamole, cheese and chives. I also love making wings with a creamy buffalo dip, served with cheese fries.

    Reply

  105. Christie Cotty says

    4 stars
    My favorite recipe for game day is cheesy spinach and artichoke dip with chips. delicious!

    http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/spinach-and-artichoke-dip-10000000230886/

    Reply

  109. Dani H says

    Definitely Buffalo chicken wings with celery & carrots sticks and blue cheese dressing!

    Thanks for a chance at the giveaway!

    Reply

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