This Charleston cheese dip will start off any party with a big bang. It’s cheesy and more-ish, easy to make, and its flavor is absolutely divine.
Let’s admit it…who doesn’t love a gooey, ooey cheese dip? Most Southerners will queue up to the table to munch down on a good creamy cheese dip. Serve it with bread, corn chips, bagel chips, pita chips, or your favorite cracker!
I know in my family our love of cheese started with my grandfather, Papa. He would buy old-fashioned “hoop” cheese by the block and slice off a piece whenever he felt the urge.
Then my grandmother, Mema, would whip up a big pot of cheese grits and feed us grand kids when we visited. My love of cheese grew from there. I even remember one time eating an entire block of cheddar cheese.
Watch How to Make Charleston Cheese Dip
Psst… this pineapple cheeseball appeziter is a fan fave too!
Am I the only one who’s eaten a whole block of cheese?
Admittedly that probably wasn’t the wisest idea I ever had, but it was good while I was eating it. My children today absolutely love Queso dip and chips.
By the time they have finished a bowl of the dip, there are streams of cheese dip from the bowl to each child’s plate and smiles on their cheesy faces.
I think you get the idea…..we LOVE our cheese. What better way to enjoy it than in a crowd-pleasing dip!
What’s in a name?
The Charleston Cheese Dip name originated when Trisha Yearwood (who actually creates tons of fun Southern recipes) made a tour stop in Charleston, ate a great cheese dip, then created a recipe around it.
Apparently, a hotel left a basket with yummy crackers and cheeses and, of course, bacon, and – voila! – Trisha’s recipe for Charleston Cheese Dip was born!
It also makes it that much more interesting to have the delicious dip you serve originated from a country music singer, am I right? Can’t get more Southern than that!
Charleston Cheese Dip
Why not take a yummy cheese dip and elevate it with crispy bacon (a Southern favorite), mayonnaise, and a dash of cayenne for a little kick. It takes cheese dip to another level.
Also, kudos for you if you are from South Carolina and make this dip!
Ingredients for Charleston Cheese Dip
- 1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 lb. bacon, browned and crumbled
- Dash of cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup onion, finely diced
- 1/2 to 3/4 sleeve of Ritz crackers, crushed
Directions for making Charleston Cheese Dip
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Blend together the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, Jack cheese, mayo, and cayenne pepper until smooth.
- Stir in the crumbled bacon and onion.
- Pour into an 8 X 8 inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.
- Top with crushed Ritz crackers.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Serve with corn chips, pita chips, bagel chips, or your favorite cracker.
This recipe was first published in Cancer Freeze: Cookin’ For A Cure. Printed with permission.
Charleston Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese shredded
- 1 lb bacon browned and crumbled
- Dash of cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup onion finely diced
- 1/2 to 3/4 sleeve Ritz crackers crushed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Blend together the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, Jack cheese, mayonnaise, and cayenne pepper until smooth.
- Stir in the crumbled bacon and onion.
- Pour into an 8 X 8 inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.
- Top with crushed Ritz crackers.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Serve with corn chips, pita chips, bagel chips, or your favorite cracker.
