The Best Dip in the World is a hot, bubbly baked dip of cream cheese, sour cream and sharp cheddar loaded with crispy bacon and green onions. It takes 10 minutes to stir together and 30 minutes in the oven, and this easy party dip is usually the first bowl emptied at game days, holidays and potlucks.
How to make the best dip in the world: Stir softened cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheddar, crumbled bacon and sliced green onions together until smooth. Spread it in a 1-quart baking dish and bake at 400°F for 25 to 30 minutes, until bubbling. Serve hot with crackers, bread or vegetables.
Why You’ll Love It
- Five ingredients: cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar, bacon and green onions.
- Ten minutes of prep: one bowl, one baking dish.
- Crowd favorite: cheesy, smoky and creamy in every scoop.
- Make-ahead friendly: mix it early and bake it when guests arrive.
Ingredient Notes
Cream cheese: Eight ounces, softened. Soft cream cheese blends smoothly with the sour cream; cold cream cheese leaves lumps. I take it out of the fridge about an hour before I start.
Sour cream: Two cups of light sour cream keep the dip creamy and scoopable without being too heavy. Full-fat sour cream works too and makes it richer.
Cheddar: One and a half cups of shredded sharp cheddar. Sharp cheddar gives the most flavor. Shredding your own from a block melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese, which is coated to stop it clumping.
Bacon: Six slices, cooked until crisp and crumbled. Crisp bacon keeps a little crunch in the hot dip.
Green onions: Half a cup, sliced. They add a fresh, mild onion bite; save a spoonful to sprinkle on top after baking.
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Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups light sour cream
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 0.5 cup green onions, sliced
How to Make the Best Dip in the World
1. Preheat. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix. In a large bowl, combine 8 oz softened cream cheese, 2 cups of light sour cream, 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar, 6 slices crumbled bacon and ½ cup sliced green onions. Stir until well blended and smooth.
3. Bake. Spoon the mixture into a 1-quart baking dish and spread it evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling and the dip is heated through.
4. Serve. Once the dip is hot and bubbly, remove it from the oven. Serve right away with bread slices, crackers or fresh vegetable sticks.
What Makes This Dip So Good
It balances three things that people love in a party dip: creamy, cheesy and salty. The cream cheese and sour cream make a smooth, tangy base, the cheddar melts into it and browns on top, and the bacon adds smoky, salty crunch in every bite.
Baking it at a high temperature is what gives it that bubbling, golden top. The edges turn slightly crisp where the cheese touches the hot dish, and those are the bites everyone goes for.
It is also forgiving. There is nothing to cook on the stove except the bacon, nothing to thicken, and nothing that can split or curdle, so it comes out the same every time.
How to Make It Ahead
Mix the dip, spread it in the baking dish, cover it and refrigerate it for up to a day. When you are ready, take it out while the oven heats and bake it a few minutes longer than usual, since it starts cold. I add a little extra cheddar on top just before it goes in, so the top browns nicely.
Cook the bacon ahead too. Crumbled bacon keeps in the refrigerator in a covered container, so on party day all that is left is to stir and bake.
Tips for Success
Why is my dip greasy?
The bacon was not drained or the cheese got too hot. Drain the bacon on paper towels and take the dip out as soon as it bubbles.
Why is it lumpy?
The cream cheese was cold. Soften it first and stir until completely smooth before baking.
Why did the bacon go soft?
It was not cooked crisp enough. Cook it until very crisp, and sprinkle some on top instead of stirring it all in.
Variations
- Spicy: add diced jalapeño or a few dashes of hot sauce.
- Different cheese: swap half the cheddar for pepper jack or Monterey Jack.
- Ranch: stir in a spoonful of dry ranch seasoning.
For another baked dip for game day, try Buffalo Chicken Dip, with shredded chicken, cream cheese, ranch and hot sauce.
Storage & Reheating
Do not leave the dip out for more than 2 hours. USDA FSIS says to refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use them within 3 to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until hot all the way through, to 165°F, stirring halfway.
What to Serve With It
Serve it with crackers, toasted baguette slices, pretzel crisps, tortilla chips, celery and carrot sticks or bell pepper strips. For more hot party dips, try white queso dip, 4-ingredient cheese dip or slow cooker crab dip. To round out a snack table, add mini pepper poppers, fried cheese bites and pumpkin whipped feta dip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the million dollar dip?
A cold dip of mayonnaise, cheddar, bacon, green onions and slivered almonds. This dip shares the cheddar, bacon and green onions, but it is baked and made with cream cheese and sour cream.
What are the most popular party dips?
Cheesy baked dips like this one, spinach artichoke dip, queso, buffalo chicken dip, French onion dip, guacamole, salsa and seven-layer dip are some of the most common.
Can I make it in a slow cooker?
Yes. Cook it on low, stirring now and then, until melted and hot, then keep it on warm for serving.
Final Notes
Soften the cream cheese, cook the bacon crisp and take the dip out as soon as it bubbles. If you have a question or make it, tell me how it turned out in the comments.
The Best Dip in the World
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Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 cups light sour cream for creaminess
- 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese for a sharp cheesy flavor
- 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 0.5 cup green onions sliced, for garnish and flavor
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a large bowl, combine 8 oz softened cream cheese, 2 cups of light sour cream, 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, 6 slices crumbled bacon, and ½ cup sliced green onions. Stir until well blended and smooth.
- Spoon the mixture into a 1-quart baking dish and spread evenly. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and the dip is thoroughly heated.
- Once the dip is hot and bubbly, remove it from the oven. Serve right away with bread slices, crackers or fresh vegetable sticks.
Notes
Nutrition
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Nutrition values are estimates based on the listed ingredients and serving count. Actual values vary with brands, cuts and portion sizes.
