Healthier Bean Dip ($0.16 per serving)

$0.16 per serving          84% savings          save $34.44 yearly

Ever since I posted my recipe for Crockpot "Refried" Beans last year, I've gotten requests for recipes that use said beans for something other than burritos, tacos, enchiladas, and the other usual players.

Well.

Let me introduce you to the BEST DARN BEAN DIP you'll ever have the pleasure of tasting.

Of course, it doesn't hurt that it takes all of 5 minutes to come together, and can be made fat free. Seriously.
What... don't believe me?
Prepare to be amazed!
Check it out:

Behold, the fat-free version (aka cheesy-bean-y goodness without any kind of misplaced guilt). You're looking at my refried beans, (there are fat-free cans in the store, too) fat-free sour cream, fat-free cream cheese, and salsa.

Lest you have any kind of doubts that this tastes anything less than divine due to the use of fat-free ingredients, let me tell you something:
You're wrong.
That is all.


If, however, you can't handle the idea of bean dip without some variety of shredded cheese involved, here ya go:

It's your bean dip, after all. You can always toss a little cheddar, or colby, or pepper-jack into the bowl if you want. Not quite fat-free, but still, pretty stinkin' harmless. Definitely amazingly delicious. 

You're gonna love it! And so will everyone you share it with... er... if it lasts that long... not that I've ever experienced that problem, personally... ahem...

Of course, you don't have to use fat-free sour cream and cream cheese. I've gone both ways before. Just be re-assured that the difference in taste is next to unnoticeable.

Also, be warned: if you bring this to a party, you might as well come prepared with recipe cards, because you're going to have more recipe requests than you know what to do with...

And who wants to spend their party time getting carpal tunnel writing out a billion copies of a recipe for heaven's sake?

Just sayin'.

Bean Dip
Printable Version 

*yields about 14 (1/4 cup) servings, or about 3 1/2 cups total

INGREDIENTS
2 cups refried beans (or 1 can)
2/3 cup salsa (If you prefer your bean dip to be smooth, you can blend you salsa before you add it, or use a variety that isn't chunky... I happen to adore chunky.)
4 oz. cream cheese (I use fat free)
1/2 cup sour cream (again... I use fat free)

*optional: up to 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese


DIRECTIONS
Combine all ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat on HIGH for 1 minute. Stir. Continue heating in increments of 30 seconds until completely combined. Serve warm with tortilla chips. Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

~ Savings ~

Cost Breakdown:
Crockpot "Refried" Beans - $0.19/cup = $0.380
64 oz. salsa - $5.58 = 114 T = $0.049/T = $0.522 
8 oz. cream cheese - $1.69 = $0.211/oz = $0.845
8 oz. sour cream - $1.68 = 30 T = $0.056/T = $0.448
Total Recipe Cost = $2.20
Cost Per 1/4 Cup Serving = $0.16

The Contender:
Fritos Bean Dip (9 oz.) = $3.42
Cost Per 1/4 Cup Serving = $0.98

Savings:
84%

"Over a Year" Scenario:
Make Bean Dip 3 times = $6.60
Use equivalent Frito's Bean Dip (9 oz.) = $41.40

*Money Saved = $34.44