Ingredients
2 (8-ounce) blocks cream cheese, softened
1 (16-ounce) jar salsa (your favorite kind)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for garnish)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional, for garnish)
Tortilla chips, crackers, or vegetable sticks for serving
Instructions
Step 1: Take your two (8-ounce) blocks of cream cheese out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes to an hour before you plan to make the dip to allow them to soften to room temperature. This ensures a smooth, lump-free base.
Step 2: Using a spatula or the back of a spoon, spread the softened cream cheese evenly across the bottom of a serving platter, shallow dish, or pie plate. Aim for a consistent layer about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick.
Step 3: Open your favorite 16-ounce jar of salsa. If it appears very watery, you might want to slightly drain some of the liquid. Carefully spoon the salsa over the cream cheese layer, spreading it gently to cover the cream cheese completely.
Step 4: For an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal, sprinkle 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the salsa layer. Follow this with 1/4 cup of fresh, chopped cilantro.
Step 5: While you can serve immediately, it’s highly recommended to chill the dip in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the cream cheese to firm up slightly. Once chilled, serve with an ample supply of your favorite dippers.
Notes
For the best flavor, allow the dip to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors meld together beautifully. Feel free to adjust the spice level by choosing mild, medium, or hot salsa. Draining watery salsas slightly can prevent the dip from becoming too thin.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizers & Snacks
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: cream cheese salsa dip, party dip, easy appetizer, salsa dip, cream cheese dip, no-bake dip, quick party food, game day dip

