This oven baked 3-ingredient beef chili dip is the kind of no-fuss appetizer that disappears fast, especially during football season. It has that classic, nostalgic game day feel with just ground beef, cream cheese, and chili baked together until hot and bubbly, making it perfect for busy weekends when you want something hearty, crowd-pleasing, and almost effortless.
Serve this dip hot with sturdy tortilla chips, corn chips, or toasted baguette slices for scooping. If you're putting together a full game day spread, it also fits right in next to veggie sticks, jalapeño poppers, sliders, or a simple tray of pickles and olives to balance the richness.
Oven Baked 3-Ingredient Beef Chili Dip
Servings: 8
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 can (15 ounces) chili, with or without beans
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a small glass casserole dish or baking dish.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until fully browned, breaking it up into crumbles as it cooks. Drain off any excess grease.
3. Add the cream cheese and chili to the skillet with the beef. Stir over low heat just until the cream cheese begins to melt and everything is combined.
4. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer.
5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbling around the edges. Serve warm.
Variations & Tips
Beanier version: If you like a little more texture and stretch from your dip, use canned chili with beans. It makes the dip feel a bit heartier and is a good option when you want it to go further for a larger group.
Make-ahead tip: Brown the beef and mix everything together earlier in the day, then cover the baking dish and refrigerate it until you're ready to bake. This is one of those appetizers that makes hosting feel much easier when the house is already busy.
Heat level upgrade: Use hot chili if you want more kick, or stir in a pinch of cayenne or diced jalapeños if you do not mind moving beyond the original three-ingredient idea. A spicier version is especially good with sturdy corn chips.
Serving tip: Keep the dip warm for parties by transferring it to a small slow cooker after baking. If it thickens as it sits, just give it a good stir before serving.