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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    Rotel Dip

    Published: Mar 25, 2022 · Modified: Feb 14, 2025 by Sherri · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

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    Rotel cheese dip with ground beef in a slow cooker

    This Rotel Dip recipe is smooth, creamy, and just a little bit spicy! Made with chunks of meat, diced tomatoes, green chilies, and two kinds of cheese, this delicious and popular warm dip appetizer is an easy to make slow cooker or stove top recipe that’s perfect for any game day or special occasion!

    Need more easy appetizer recipes? These Sausage Cheese Balls, these Crockpot Little Smokies and this Cranberry Meatballs are all so delicious too

    closeup of a white bowl full of rotel dip with hamburger topped with jalapeno peppers and diced red peppers

    Table of contents

    • Rotel Cheese Dip
    • What is Rotel?
    • Substitute for Rotel?
    • Ingredients/shopping list
    • How to Make this Velveeta Cheese Dip with Meat
    • How to make this Rotel Dip on the Stovetop
    • Variations/Substitutions
    • Tips
    • FAQ’s

    Rotel Cheese Dip

    I’ve been making this slow cooker Rotel dip for as long as I can remember. It’s one of the best if you love a really good cheesy dip with a little heat! With just a few simple ingredients like ground beef and sausage, Velveeta cheese, cream cheese, and of course, Rotel, dumped right into the crockpot, this recipe is virtually effortless.

    It’s an easy appetizer that is perfect for serving game-day crowds, holiday parties, and even potlucks! It stays warm in the slow cooker so the beauty of it is that everyone can grab a plate with some crackers, fresh veggies, or some tortilla chips and serve themselves!

    closeup of tortilla chip with rotel dip over a bowl full of dip

    What is Rotel?

    Rotel is a well-known brand of a canned combination of diced tomatoes with green chili and some spices. You can get it mild or you can get it spicy, so for this recipe, you get to choose! It’s almost like salsa but the flavor of the diced tomatoes is more pronounced.

    Substitute for Rotel?

    You could use actual salsa for sure, however, you’ll have to rename it to salsa dip 😉 The flavor also won’t be quite the same, but oh well, it’ll still be all kinds of delicious!

    several glass bowls filled with ingredients for rotel dip - raw ground beef, ground sausage, velveeta cheese, cream cheese, rotel tomatoes and spices

    Ingredients/shopping list

    Ground beef – You’re going to be draining any of the excess oil from the meat, so use whatever kind you want. Lean, medium, it’s up to you.

    Pork sausage – The combination of pork and ground beef just adds a ton of meaty chunky texture and so much more flavor. You can just use one meat if you prefer.

    Velveeta – A processed cheese that comes in an orange block. It melts extremely velvety (get it?) and smooth. If you’ve ever had queso dip, you’ve probably had velveeta!

    Cream cheese – This will add a rich, thick, tangy element. It balances the Velveeta cheese nicely.

    Rotel – You’ll just need a can of Rotel. Although it’s called Rotel dip, it really isn’t the star of the show. Everything plays a role, the cheese, the meat, and the Rotel work together as one!

    Chili powder – A robust smoky seasoning that deepens the flavor and adds a little extra heat.

    Salt & pepper – To taste!

    How to Make this Velveeta Cheese Dip with Meat

    Easily double or triple this recipe. Just dump, set, and walk away!

    Step 1: Cook the ground beef and sausage in a medium skillet on medium high heat along with the chili powder, salt, and pepper.

    cast iron skillet with ground beef topped with spices

    Step 2: Once it is completely cooked and no longer pink, drain the excess grease by pouring the browned ground beef over a colander into a bowl. Discard the oil into the trash once it has completely cooled.

    black crock pot with ground beef mixture topped with cubes of velveeta and ream cheese

    Step 3: To the slow cooker adds the cooked meat to the bottom and spread it out. Place both cheese cubes on top of the meat, then add the tomatoes. Stir to combine.

    Step 4: Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 2 hours. Remove the lid, give it a good stir and enjoy! If serving at a party, keep the slow cooker on the warm setting.

    rotel dip with meat in a black slow cooker

    How to make this Rotel Dip on the Stovetop

    Grab a large cast-iron or nonstick skillet. Brown and cook the meat along with the seasonings. Drain the grease.

    This time, you’re going to add the meat back into the skillet, followed by the Rotel, and cheese cubes.

    Heat on medium-low heat, stirring until everything has melted.

    Variations/Substitutions

    1. Different meat. Use one pound of all ground beef or all sausage if preferred. You could also use spicy sausage, Italian sausage, chorizo, andouille sausage or even ground chicken or ground turkey.
    2. For a vegetarian Rotel dip. Skip the meat altogether like this delicious poblano queso dip or toss in some black beans or pinto beans instead.
    3. Use all Velveeta instead of the cream cheese portion, if preferred. You could also decide to replace the cream cheese with a yummy sharp cheddar cheese or even pepper jack cheese.
    4. Switch up the seasoning. Use taco seasoning, smoked paprika, or cayenne pepper instead of chili powder.
    white bowl of rotel dip with meat surrounded by tortilla chips, sliced red peppers and zucchini

    Tips

    • Top with sliced jalapeno peppers if desired.
    • If the dip gets too thick, add a tablespoon of milk at a time until it reaches desired consistency.
    • Serve with tortilla chips, soft homemade pretzels, crusty bread, cheese crackers, or a fresh veggie platter.

    FAQ’s

    How to store leftover Rotel dip?

    As long as it’s covered in the fridge, any leftover dip can be kept for up to 4-5 days.

    How to reheat this cheesy dip?

    Toss it back in the slow cooker and allow it to warm up on the low setting or warm setting before serving. Or place in a microwave safe bowl and heat at 20 second intervals, stirring until desired temperature is reached.

    Can you Freeze Rotel Dip?

    Yes! If you’ve got leftovers or you’ve doubled your batch for this very reason, go ahead and keep it stored in the freezer. Transfer it to a freezer-friendly Ziploc bag or keep it in an airtight container, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat as desired.

    What else can I do with Rotel dip?

    I don’t know about you, but I love pouring any kind of cheese sauce over my nachos! Movie night just got a lot more fun 🙂 Some people like it on their hotdogs, or a dollop into their bowl of chili.

    If you like this recipe, please leave us a comment and rate the recipe below. You can also find us on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram!

    closeup of rotel cheese dip topped with jalapenosin a white bowl

    Rotel Dip

    This Rotel Dip recipe is smooth, creamy, and just a little bit spicy! Made with chunks of meat, diced tomatoes, green chilies, and two kinds of cheese, this delicious and popular warm dip appetizer is an easy to make slow cooker or stove top recipe that's perfect for any game day or special occasion!
    5 from 20 votes
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    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 2 hours hours
    Total Time: 2 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 16 servings
    Calories: 211kcal
    Author: Sherri Hagymas

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound ground beef
    • ½ pound ground pork sausage
    • 1 pound Velveeta
    • 8 ounces cream cheese
    • 10 ounce can Rotel
    • 1 Tablespoon chili powder
    • Salt and pepper
    • Chips and/or veggies for dipping

    Instructions

    • In a medium skillet, add the ground beef sausage, chili powder, salt and pepper and brown until completely cooked.
    • Pour cooked meat into a colander and drain excess oil. (I like to drain it over a bowl to collect the oil and then let it cool and pour into the trash can)
    • Add the meat to the bottom of a slow cooker
    • Place the Velveeta and cream cheese cubes on top of the meat mixture.
    • Add in the tomatoes and stir to combine well.
    • Cover the crockpot and cook on low for 2 hours.
    • Stir and serve warm with chips and veggies.

    Notes

    Nutritional information does not include chips or fresh veggies.
    Use all ground beef or all sausage instead of a combination of both.
    Top with sliced jalapeno peppers if desired.
    If the dip gets too thick, add a tablespoon of milk at a time until it reaches desired consistency.
    Use all velveeta instead adding the cream cheese portion, if preferred. You could also replace the cream cheese with sharp cheddar cheese or pepper jack cheese.
    Use taco seasoning, smoked paprika, or cayenne pepper instead of chili powder or leave out the additional seasoning all together.
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 211kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 620mg | Potassium: 288mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 536IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 197mg | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional Disclosure

    Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Linda Johnson

      December 25, 2023 at 7:50 pm

      5 stars
      Very simple followed recipe the dip was delicious. Will make again.

      Reply
      • Sherri

        December 26, 2023 at 5:09 pm

        I”m so glad you enjoyed it too! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Hilda

      October 31, 2022 at 7:49 am

      Show me the recipe

      Reply
    3. Ethel

      October 29, 2022 at 7:19 am

      Looks delicious

      Reply
    5 from 20 votes (19 ratings without comment)

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