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This rich and cheesy cream cheese snack is a hit at laid-back hangouts or festive spreads. It’s quick to put together and packed with a tasty combo of sharp, tangy, and fresh flavors that folks can’t get enough of.
I first grabbed onto this dish as a quick pick-me-up for busy night get-togethers. Now it’s a go-to for when I need a fast and popular snack that everyone enjoys.
What You’ll Need
- Softened cream cheese: one cup gives the base a nice creamy feel, full fat makes it richer
- Shredded cheddar: one cup for that sharp taste and smooth melt, freshly grated is best
- Sour cream: half a cup adds a light tang that balances the cream cheese
- Diced bell peppers: quarter cup adds sweet crunch and bright color, choose firm ones
- Chopped green onions: quarter cup brings a fresh onion bite, pick crisp stalks
- Garlic powder: one teaspoon brings warm, savory flavor, adjust to your liking
- Crackers: one pack perfect for scooping and giving a crunchy contrast, pick sturdy but easy to bite
Step-By-Step How-To
- Mix The Creamy Stuff:
- Grab a medium bowl and blend your softened cream cheese with the sour cream. Use a spatula or mixer until it’s smooth and no lumps remain, making a creamy base ready for the other ingredients.
- Add The Fresh Bits:
- Stir in the shredded cheddar, chopped green onions, diced bell peppers, and garlic powder. Fold them gently so everything’s well mixed but the veggies keep their crunch.
- Cool It Then Serve:
- You can eat it right away but chilling it first with a side of crackers makes it firmer and extra refreshing.
This dish means a lot to me because it was one of my first crowd-pleasers when I started hosting friends at home. That combo of creamy and crispy always wins.
How To Store It
Keep your mix in a sealed container in the fridge for up to three days to hold its flavor. If it gets too thick after chilling, just stir in a little sour cream to loosen it. Keep crackers separate till right before you serve to keep them crunchy.
Switch It Up
Try swapping cheddar for pepper jack if you want a mild spicy twist or smoked gouda for a richer taste. Toss in some finely chopped jalapeños for fresh heat. You can also mix cream cheese with Greek yogurt for a tangier, lighter dip that still pairs great with all the veggies.
Tasty Pairings
Enjoy this cheesy dip with white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or chilled sparkling rosé for a cool match. If you skip alcohol, cucumber water or mild iced tea works beautifully. Crunchy veggie sticks like celery or carrots are great low-carb options instead of crackers.
Let the cream cheese mix rest about 15 minutes before serving to really let the flavors blend nicely.
Frequently Asked Cooking Questions
- → Which cheese is best for this dish?
Sharp cheddar really brings a rich and tangy flavor that works great with the creamy base.
- → Can I make this ahead of time?
Definitely, it actually tastes better after chilling for a few hours so the flavors come together nicely.
- → What crackers go well with this mix?
Crunchy crackers like water crackers or whole grain ones add a nice texture contrast.
- → How do I spice this up?
Just add some red pepper flakes or a little hot sauce for a bit of a kick.
- → Is there a substitute for sour cream?
You can swap in Greek yogurt. It gives a similar creamy feel with a tangy twist.