Cheesy Shrimp Dip

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Cheesy Shrimp Dip makes a delicious hot appetizer that your guests will devour in seconds! This cream cheese shrimp dip combines three different types of cheese — cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese — with a sautéed shrimp scampi.

Looking for a little inspiration for your next holiday party menu? This is IT — my baked shrimp dip is SO easy, SO cheesy, and SO TASTY!

This easy shrimp dip recipe is made with a half pound of fresh shrimp, but you can add more if you would like your dip to be chunkier.

Bake until hot and bubbly, then serve this deliciously creamy hot shrimp dip with pita chips, assorted crackers, or a sliced and toasted baguettes and dig in!

Love hot appetizers? Hot Pepper Jelly Cheese Dip with Bacon is sweet, salty, and spicy and is irresistible at holiday parties. Or, try my Baked Brie Appetizer — it’s simply elegant and sure to impress — and everyone raves over Bacon Wrapped Shrimp!

Key ingredients & substitutions for Hot & Cheesy Cream Cheese Shrimp Dip

• Fresh shrimp | Purchase from the seafood counter already peeled and deveined to save yourself some prep time. Medium-size shrimp is fine for this recipe.
• Garlic and green onions | for flavor
• Fresh lemon juice | to brighten up the dish
• Cream cheese | Be sure to let it soften adequately to make mixing up the dip easier. You can use the low-fat variety if you like.

• Shredded Parmesan | Don’t use grated, you want some texture from this cheese.
• Shredded mozzarella | You could also use fresh mozzarella.
• Mayonnaise and sour cream | A dollop of mayo gives the dip some tang!
• Smoked paprika —for garnishing

How to make shrimp dip with cream cheese

One thing I love about this hot appetizer is that it can be mixed up ahead of time. Just do all the stove top steps in the recipe, then cover and refrigerate. Thirty minutes before your party guests arrive, pop the dip into a preheated oven and bake until hot and bubbly.

STEP 1 | Prep the shrimp

Save yourself a little time by purchasing shrimp that’s already been shelled and deveined. You’ll need a half pound (or more) of fresh shrimp for this dip recipe.

Rinse the shrimp under cool running water, then pat dry with paper towels. Use a chef’s knife to give it a rough chop leaving some big chunks — we want this dip to be meaty and hearty.

STEP 2 | Chop green onions and garlic

Cut the tips off the green onion and slice it up into thin pieces. Either chop or mince the garlic and set aside for the moment.

STEP 3 | Cook the shrimp

Select a large skillet and add a couple tablespoons of butter. Set the skillet over medium heat and once the butter has melted, add the shrimp, onions and garlic.

Sauté the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes, until they are nice and pink. Frankly, you could stop right here and just soak up the scampi with a big piece of crusty bread — I mean this buttery shrimp is delicious!

STEP 4 | Melt the cheese

Reduce the heat to low, the add the block of cream cheese right into the pan with the shrimp. Cook and and stir until it’s all melted.

Now you’re ready to add the rest of the ingredients — the remaining cheeses, mayo and sour cream — and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

STEP 4 | Bake until bubbly!

Once all the cheese is melted and the mixture is creamy, pour it into a lightly greased baking dish and sprinkle with more Parmesan cheese if you like. Garnish the top with a sprinkle of smoked paprika and pop it into the preheated oven for about 30 minutes.

Once the dip is heated through, hot and bubbly, you’re ready to dive in! How can you go wrong with a warm and cheesy dip?!

Frequently asked questions

Serving suggestions

Before serving, garnish the hot dip with a few sliced green onions or fresh chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley, if you like. This will give the dip a touch of freshness and finesse.

Serve the shrimp dip with crackers, toasted baguettes, or pita chips.

More hot and cheesy appetizers

If you’re still searching for just the right appetizer to take to the holiday pot luck, you can’t go wrong with any of these delicious options!

• Baked Brie Appetizer — This EASY Baked Brie Appetizer with apples and molasses is a tasty, simply elegant appetizer recipe that’s sure to impress every guest at your party.
• Hot Pepper Jelly Cheese Dip with Bacon  — Sweet and salty with a little bit of heat, this Hot Pepper Jelly Cheese Dip with Bacon is irresistible at holiday parties.
• Baked Jalapeño Pimento Cheese — Adjust the heat to your tastes by adding more roasted jalapeño peppers to this lightened up Baked Jalapeño Pimento Cheese.
• Easy Spinach Artichoke Dip — This hot dip requires just five basic ingredients!
• Sausage, Bean, and Spinach Dip — Serve with corn chips because this hearty dip demands a hearty chip!
• Warm and Cheesy Crack Dip — Be careful; this dip is addictive!
• More appetizer recipes!