Whip up the ultimate crowd-pleaser with this Easy Cheesy Rotel Sausage Dip Recipe! Perfect for game day or any gathering, this creamy dip combines flavorful Rotel tomatoes, spicy sausage, and melted cheeses for a bold, irresistible bite. Serve with tortilla chips and top with green onions or jalapeños for an extra kick!
There are few things in life as satisfying as a warm, melty, and creamy cheese dip that’s loaded with bold flavors. This Easy Cheesy Rotel Sausage Dip is the ultimate crowd-pleaser, perfect for game day , casual gatherings, or whenever you need an easy appetizer that hits all the right notes. (Note - if you're looking for more easy apps, this quick and easy jalapeno corn dip, and smoked queso dip are total winners!)
With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, it’s a super versatile dip that you can make on the stovetop or in a slow cooker. Plus, the combination of spicy sausage, flavorful Rotel tomatoes, and gooey melted cheeses is next level. It's one of my absolute favorite dip recipes!
In This Post
Key Ingredients
Just a few simple ingredients are all you need to make this deliciously cheesy dip
- Italian sausage. Adds a savory and spicy base. Feel free to substitute with ground chicken, ground turkey, or even lean ground beef for different variations.
- Rotel tomatoes & green chiles. The star ingredient for a flavorful dip. Canned tomatoes with green chilies give that signature kick.
- Sharp cheddar & Mexican cheese blend. I prefer to use real shredded cheese dip vs. the standard Velveeta here. These cheeses melt beautifully, creating a creamy cheese dip that’s perfect for dipping tortilla chips.
- Chili powder, paprika, and cumin. These spices add warmth and depth to the dip, elevating the flavor profile.
- Yellow onions. Provides a subtle sweetness and great flavor to the base of the dip.
- Optional Toppings: Green onions, cilantro, jalapeño slices, and red peppers add a fresh finish to the dip.
How To Make Cheesy Rotel Sausage Dip
You can make this easy rotel dip recipe on the stovetop or in a slow cooker - whatever is more convenient.
On the Stovetop:
- Sautee the onion. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil and sauté the diced onion until softened and translucent (about 4 minutes).
- Add the sausage. Add the Italian sausage, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks. Cook until browned and fully cooked through. (Be sure to drain any oil produced by the sausage before moving on!)
- Add the spice. Stir in the chili powder, paprika, and cumin, ensuring the sausage mixture is well-coated.
- Add the tomatoes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the can of Rotel tomatoes and green chilies (drained) to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Cheese it up! Gradually add the shredded cheese, stirring constantly until the cheese melts into a creamy, smooth consistency.
- Garnish and serve. Transfer the dip to a serving dish and garnish with your favorite toppings like green onions, cilantro, or jalapeños. Serve the creamy rotel dip with tortilla chips and enjoy!
In the Slow Cooker
This is just as easy to make in a slow cooker, and makes this totally hands-off - perfect if you're preparing it for a party!
- Saute the onion and sausage. In a skillet, sauté the onion and cook the sausage as directed above.
- Transfer to crock pot. Transfer the cooked sausage mixture to a crock pot.
- Add the rest of the ingredients & let cook. Add the Rotel tomatoes and shredded cheese to the crock pot. Set it to low heat and cook for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally to ensure the cheese melts evenly.
- Garnish and serve. Once fully melted and creamy, switch the slow cooker to the warm setting to keep the dip at the perfect serving temperature. Garnish and serve directly from the crock pot.
Variations and Substitutions
Looking to switch things up? Here are a few ways to modify this creamy rotel cheese dip recipe
- Velveeta cheese. Ok, I'm not going to shame anyone if they'd rather use Velveeta cheese here. TBH, Velveeta cheese actually melts a little better than real shredded cheese and because it's processed cheese it definitely can hold up better to reheating if you happen to have leftovers. Still, I much prefer the taste of real cheese over Velveeta. But you do you.
- Cream cheese. Stir a block of cream cheese into this delicious dip for some extra creaminess.
- Lean ground beef or ground turkey. Replace the Italian sausage with a leaner protein for a lighter version.
- Add-ins. Canned black beans, corn, or even diced bell peppers are all great options for adding some extra texture and flavor to this spicy queso dip.
- Spice Level. Adjust the heat by using spicy sausage or adding extra chili powder or jalapeños.
- Pico de Gallo. Use it as a fresh topping to add a burst of bright flavor.
Tip for reheating
This cheese dip is great when served fresh, but may become a bit oily when reheated. I love using real cheese vs. something processed like Velveeta, but that means that when reheated (especially at high heat levels, and too quickly), the cheese can break down, separating the fat from the protein and liquid, leaving an oily film on the top. This is especially true if reheating too quickly in a microwave (not recommended).
To prevent this, start the reheating process by adding just a little milk or half & half to a pan and heating it until warm. Slowly add the cheese dip to the pan, stirring frequently while keeping the temperature nice and low. Whisk constantly as it heats to help emulsify the cheese and prevent the fat solids from separating. If you must reheat in a microwave, set the heat to low, and stir every 15-20 seconds to make sure everything is incorporated and the dip is heating evenly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Transfer the remaining dip to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a bit of milk or whole milk to bring back its creamy texture.
Yes! Store the dip in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
This can happen when using real cheese. The best path is prevention. To prevent this, reheat slowly over low heat, stirring frequently. I like to do this on the stovetop, but if you want to use a microwave, just put the power on low and stir every 15 seconds or so. You can also add a splash of whole milk or heavy cream to help emulsify the cheese as it heats.
Absolutely! Prepare the dip as directed, then store it in an airtight container. Reheat on the stovetop or in a crock pot before serving. (See note above about reheating.)
Tortilla chips are a classic, but you can also serve this dip with corn chips, sliced bell peppers, or even warm, soft pretzels.
Whether you’re serving it on game day or need a quick and easy dip recipe for a party, this Cheesy Rotel Sausage Dip is a guaranteed hit.
If you try this easy Rotel Sausage Dip, let me know what you think in the comments below, or tag me with a pic @frontrangefed on IG. I'd love to hear what you think!
More Easy Appetizers
- Artichoke & Spinach Dip (No Mayo)
- Cold Corn Dip With Jalapeno And Cream Cheese
- Easy Pimento Cheese Dip
- Loaded Smoked Queso Dip
- High Protein Cottage Cheese Ranch Dip
- Oven-Roasted Elephant Garlic
Recipe
Easy Cheesy Rotel Sausage Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon neutral oil (grapeseed, avocado, etc.)
- ½ onion diced
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- 10 oz Rotel tomatoes with green chili (original, drained)
- 10 oz sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 6 oz Mexican cheese blend shredded
For Serving
- tortilla chips
- ¼ cup cilantro
- ¼ cup green onions diced
- 1 jalapeno pepper diced, seeds removed
- ½ red pepper diced
Instructions
- Heat a medium-sized skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil and, once hot, add the onion and saute for about 4 minutes, or when the onion starts to soften and turn a translucent color. Add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking up the pieces as you cook. Drain any oil from the sausage.
- Add the chili powder, paprika, and cumin to the sausage mixture and stir well to combine.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the can of Rotel and mix well. Add the 2 cheeses to the skillet and consistently, until the cheese has melted and has blended with the sausage.
- Transfer everything to a serving dish and garnish with cilantro, green onions jalapenos or red peppers. Serve with tortilla chips.
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