This cream cheese Rotel dip is a classic Rotel dip made in a slow cooker to keep it warm and scoopable for hours. It’s my go-to for game day, potlucks, and last-minute guests because it’s dump-and-melt easy.
Holly’s Recipe Highlights
- Flavor: Rich, creamy, and savory with a little kick of spice from the Rotel and sausage, balanced by melty cheese in every bite.
- Recommended Tools: You’ll need a skillet and a small slow cooker, plus a sturdy spoon for stirring everything together.
- Serving Suggestions: For parties, serve with Fritos Scoops, tortilla chips, and pretzel bites, but the Fritos hold up the best and can handle all that creamy, cheesy goodness without breaking.
3 Simple Ingredients
- Sausage: Mild sausage keeps the dip classic and crowd-friendly, but hot sausage adds a nice kick, and maple gives it a surprisingly good and slightly sweet twist. Ground beef or turkey sausage works too!
- Cream Cheese: Use full-fat cream cheese as it melts the smoothest, but cube it first so it melts faster.
- Tomatoes: Use Rotel tomatoes with chiles and seasonings already added in. Bring even more heat to the recipe and add extra green chiles, jalapenos, or salsa. Use Rotel undrained for a looser, scoopable dip. Or drain it first for a thicker dip.
Favorite Variations
- Swap the Cheese: Add a cup of shredded cheese like Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or a Mexican blend at the end so it melts smoothly and helps thicken. For a more saucy-style dip, melt in some cubes of Velveeta cheese.
- Add-Ins: Add drained corn kernels, sliced black olives, crumbled bacon pieces, chopped green onions, or finely diced bell peppers for a bit of colorful crunch.
- Meatless Version: Switch out the meat for black beans (drained and rinsed).
From Skillet to Crockpot
- Brown sausage in a skillet, then drain well (full recipe below).
- Combine everything into a small slow cooker.
- Cover and heat, stirring occasionally until warmed through. Add mix-ins as desired.
Holly’s Party Dip Tips
- Stir every 20 to 30 minutes. It prevents hot spots and helps it turn silky.
- If it’s too thick, thin with a splash of milk and stir until smooth.
- If it’s too thin, add shredded cheddar or let it sit uncovered on warm for 10 to 15 minutes to thicken.
- Keep it scoopable, switch it to warm once melted, and give it a quick stir before guests dig in.
Leftovers Made Easy
Cool quickly, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze in an airtight container for about 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat slowly on low, stirring well (texture can be slightly looser after thawing). Add a splash of milk if it needs loosening.
Keep it warm for serving and stir occasionally. Don’t leave it out longer than 2 hours at room temperature.
Game Day Spread Ideas
Have you tried this Cream Cheese Rotel Dip? Leave a comment and rating below!
Cream Cheese Rotel Dip
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ pound sausage , or ground beef
- 8 ounces cream cheese , cubed
- 1 (10 ounce can) canned diced tomatoes with chilies such as Rotel, undrained
Optional Add Ins:
- 1 cup sharp cheddar
- 3 tablespoons finely diced jalapenos
- 3 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- In a large skillet, cook sausage until no pink remains. Drain fat.
- In a small slow cooker, combine meat, cream cheese, and Rotel tomatoes with juice.
- Cook on low 2 hours stirring occasionally. Stir in add-ins of choice.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Nutrition information uses sausage and does not include optional mix ins.
- Serve with tortilla or corn chips.
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 days and in the freezer for 3 months.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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