Rotel Cheese Dip – An Easy Crock Pot Dip Recipe

When someone asks me for a recipe to take to a tailgate party or to bring to a pot luck gathering with family and friends I often suggest this Rotel Cheese Dip recipe. It is an easy to make dip that is heated and served in a crock pot.

This makes it ideal to serve on those occasions when everyone will be enjoying it at different times throughout the day. It will stay warm in the slow cooker for hours.

However it is also a great appetizer that travels well. Simply place the lid on the slow cooker and plug it in when you get to your destination.

But what I really love about this recipe is the versatility of the ingredients. You can make it taste mild, medium or hot and spicy by the type of ingredients that you choose.

For instance, if I am bringing this nacho dip to a family function where there will be a lot of children, I will use ingredients that are more on the mild side. However, when I am making this as part of our Super Bowl spread where I know everyone likes spicy foods, I will increase the heat level.

Ingredients That Are Needed

1. Ground Sausage

This Rotel cheese dip recipe requires 1 pound of ground sausage. You can use a package of plain ground sausage, or use uncooked sausage links and remove the casings.

However, you can switch up what type of ground sausage that meets the needs of you and your guests. For example, you can purchase hot and spicy pork sausage to kick up the heat level in this easy crock pot dip.

Or if you would like to make it a little healthier, you can use turkey or chicken sausage instead. The choice is up to you.

2. Onion

Choose between white, yellow or a sweet onion to add to this popular tailgate dip. The size of the onion really doesn’t matter, but when in doubt purchase a medium size onion.

And to make dicing it easy, use a food chopper or food processor whenever possible. It will save you a ton of time and effort when it comes to chopping the onion.

3. Jalapeno Pepper

Even if you don’t like spicy foods, you can still add a jalapeno pepper the Rotel Cheese Dip. However, to make the dip less spicy, be sure to remove the ribs and seeds before adding it to the crock pot.

And for those who like it spicy, dice the pepper, including the ribs and seeds. Want more heat? Add an additional pepper or two!

4. Taco Seasoning Mix

The taco seasoning mix is what gives this dip that iconic Nacho dip flavor. This recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning.

However most of us will purchase taco seasoning in those little packets. Fortunately, 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning = 1 packet of taco seasoning.

5. Velveeta Cheese

The cheesy flavor of this dip comes from a large block of Velveeta cheese. For those who aren’t familiar with Velveeta cheese it is a shelf-stable processed cheese that is very similar to American cheese.

It melts down smoothly and is often used in crock pot cheesy dips. It comes in various sizes, so be sure to write down that you need 32 ounces before heading to the grocery.

Depending on what flavor that you choose you can alter the taste of the dip. Standard Rotel Cheese Dip uses plain Velveeta cheese.

However, you can spice it up and use the Mexican variety. Or give it a whole new taste by using Queso Blanco or Sharp Cheddar processed cheese instead.

6. Ro-Tel Tomatoes

Ro-Tel is actually a brand name of a company that produces a blend of diced tomatoes and green chilies. Although their original tomatoes included only tomatoes and diced green chilies, they have expanded to included different types of chili peppers and also different heat levels.

As you can imagine, you can use the original Ro-Tel in your cheese dip, or you can use another one of their popular combinations. One of my favorite substitutes includes diced tomatoes with fire roasted Hatch green chilies.

Crock Pot Rotel Cheese Dip Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb. ground sausage
• 1 yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 large jalapeno, seeded and finely diced
• ⅔ cup water
• 2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix
• 32 ounces Velveeta cheese, cut in chunks
• 20 ounces Rotel tomatoes, drained

Be sure to read the above recommendations on various substitutions that you can use.

INSTRUCTIONS

In a large skillet, brown the ground sausage and onion over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink. Drain and return the meat and onion mixture back into the skillet.

Add the diced jalapeños, water and taco seasoning to the cooked ground sausage and onions. Then continue to cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until the liquid has evaporated.

Add the beef mixture in a 4-quart (or larger) slow cooker. Then add the cubes of Velveeta cheese and the cans of drained Rotel tomatoes and diced green chilies.

Cook Time

Stir the mixture well and cook on High Power until the cheese is completely melted. This will take approximately 1-2 hours.

Then once the cheese has melted smoothly, place the slow cooker on the keep warm setting (or on low) until ready to serve. Once it is time to eat, simply stir the dip and serve with tortilla chips!

However, all slow cookers cook at different rates. Therefore, be sure to start this Rotel Cheese Dip in the crock pot well ahead of your planned serving time.

Serve with tortilla chips, nacho chips or corn chips. For a low carb option served with sliced celery, carrots, or green bell peppers.

Other Delicious Crock Pot Dip Recipes

• Chicken Enchilada Dip
• Philly Cheesesteak Dip
• Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Spinach Artichoke Dip

Enjoy! Mary

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