This fast and easy Crock Pot Rotel Dip is the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer, especially when you don’t have much time to cook! The creamy Velveeta cheese paired with zesty tomatoes and rich Italian sausage is so tasty. Plus, it’s super easy to transport to a party in your Crock Pot!
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I love this Crock Pot velveeta cheese dip for potlucks, holiday gatherings, and even movie nights at home with the family. It’s one of our favorite Crock Pot dip recipes because of how delicious all the flavors are.
If you’re looking for more slow cooker easy dip recipes, next you’ll want to try our creamy Artichoke Dip, this zesty Taco Dip, and our hearty Crock Pot Cheeseburger Dip.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- So Simple to Make: With only 4 ingredients and a prep time under 10 minutes, this Rotel cheese dip recipe is so easy and fast to make!
- Amazing Flavor: The combo of creamy Velveeta, zesty Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, savory Italian sausage, and taco seasoning is the perfect balance of cheesy, spicy, and meaty in this easy Rotel dip.
- Versatile: You can serve this dip so many ways! Classic tortilla chips or corn chip scoops, crunchy veggies dipped in, or even spooning this over tater tots or a baked potato– all the options are so good.
Ingredients
- Ground Italian Sausage: I used pork Italian sausage. You can use sweet Italian or spicy. A mix of sausage and lean 80/20 ground beef also works for this Rotel dip recipe.
- Velveeta Cheese: You'll be cutting the Velveeta into cubes. Use full-fat Velveeta for the best texture and creaminess.
- Rotel Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies: These are slightly spicy and slightly tangy in the best way. They have a noticeable kick from the fire-roasted green chilies but aren’t too hot. Don’t drain them. The liquid in the can adds a ton of flavor.
- Taco Seasoning: Taco seasoning adds so much zesty, spicy flavor to this dip!
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
- Vary the Meat: You can use ground beef, beef or pork sausage, or even ground turkey for this recipe.
- Spice Level: To make the dip spicier, add chili powder, cayenne pepper, dashes of your favorite hot sauce, or use spicier tomatoes.
- Mild, Hot or Fire-Roasted Tomatoes: There are a lot of different canned tomato options out there! You can get mild or spicy, or look for different spice mixes.
- Add Cream Cheese: If you want an even creamier, thicker, richer version of the dip, add a block or half a block of regular (not low fat) cream cheese into the mix. Crock Pot Rotel dip with ground beef and cream cheese is even creamier and so tasty.
How To Make Rotel Dip in the Crock Pot
Here’s how to make Rotel dip in a Crock Pot. It’s so easy! You’re going to throw together all the Rotel dip ingredients and let the dip simmer until all the flavors meld together.
- Step 1: Cook the Italian Sausage. Heat a large skillet to medium heat, then throw in the ground meat and cook it until it's brown. It will take around 5-7 minutes and you want to flip the pieces over and move them around as they cook. Drain the excess oil and set aside.
- Step 2: Add All the Ingredients to the Crock Pot. Add in the cubed Velveeta cheese, Rotel, taco seasoning, and cooked Italian sausage to make the Rotel dip in the Crock Pot.
- Step 3: Cover and Cook. Cook on low for 2 hours or on high for 1 hour.
- Step 4: Stir and Serve. Stir everything until it's well combined and serve with your favorite chips and crackers.
Hint: Leave the Crock Pot on Warm
It's perfect for serving the dip at a party! Make it easy for guests to come back for seconds by leaving the slow cooker on the warm setting.
Tips For The Best Dip
- Cube the Velveeta: Cut the Velveeta down into 1-inch cubes rather than leaving them a larger size so it melts evenly.
- Adding Other Cheese: You can also throw in sharp cheddar, pepper jack, or Monterey jack cheese if you want an extra cheesy option.
- Drain the Meat Completely: Use a strainer to get rid of the grease so that the dip isn't too oily.
- Break Up the Meat: Be sure to break up the meat into small crumbles while it cooks so it has the best texture in the dip.
- Thickness: If the dip becomes too thick, add a splash of milk or water. If it's too thin, you can add a cornstarch slurry.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. I do not recommend freezing this recipe, as the leftovers don’t freeze well, and the texture changes when thawed and reheated.
- Reheating: Reheat the dish in the microwave on medium heat for 30-60 second intervals until it is heated through. You can also reheat it in a saucepan on the stove over low heat or in the slow cooker.
Serving Suggestions
This warm, cheesy Velveeta Crock Pot dip is one of those appetizers that everyone gathers around until the bowl is empty! Here are some ideas for how to serve it.
- Set it up with a chip bar including restaurant-style tortilla chips, Frito scoops for maximum dipping, pita chips, and pretzel crisps.
- Pair with bell pepper wedges, toasted baguette slices, or celery sticks.
- Bring these to a game-day gathering with other appetizers like crockpot BBQ meatballs and crockpot kielbasa bites.
- If you really want to impress your guests, hollow out a round sourdough bread loaf and create a bread bowl for the dip. Cut the bread from the center into cubes and use it for dipping.
- You can also serve this as part of a DIY nacho bar. Include other toppings like sliced or pickled jalapeños, diced avocado, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and chopped cilantro. Make some Mexican street corn dip to go with it!
- Transform it from an appetizer to a main dish by scooping over baked potatoes, French fries or tater tots, adding to mac and cheese, or putting it on top of hamburgers or hot dogs.
Recipe FAQs
Sure thing! Place everything in a saucepan and follow the same instructions. Heat over low heat until melted and combined, stirring frequently. This will take about 15-20 minutes.
Yes, you can make this dip up to 24 hours in advance. Just make sure the sausage is cooked and the ingredients are mixed together. Turn the crockpot on to your desired temperature 1-2 hours before serving.
More Delicious Dip Recipes
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Crock Pot Rotel Dip
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground Italian sausage
- 32 oz Velveeta cheese (cut into 2" cubes)
- 1 (10 oz) Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 tbsp taco seasoning
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add Italian sausage and cook until brown. About 5-7 mutes. Drain of excess drippings and set aside.
- Add cubed Velveeta cheese, Rotel, sausage, and taco seasoning.
- Cover and cook on low for 2 hours or on high for 1 hour.
- Stir until well combined and serve with slow cooker left on warm.
Notes
- Drain the sausage so it's not too oily in the slow cooker cheese dip.
- Keep the liquid in the tomatoes as it adds tons of flavor and aids in creating a creamy consistency.
- For extra flavor, add a dash of cumin or smoked paprika along with the taco seasoning.
- Switch the slow cooker to the warm setting to keep the dip at the perfect temperature and texture.
- Serve with tortilla chips, bell peppers, or toasted baguette slices.
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.
Denise says
We make it with cream cheese instead of velveeta and it is yummy. it got the infamous name of 'crack dip' because it is addictive. I never added taco seasoning but I plan to try that tomorrow when we make it for Superbowl Sunday.
Ryan Allen says
Sounds pretty delicious