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Rotel Sausage Dip

This Rotel sausage dip is easy and cheesy! Made with just 4 ingredients including sausage, cream cheese, Velveeta and Rotel, it’s an addicting game day party appetizer.

Party dip recipes are always a favorite including this cottage cheese queso dip, hot crab dip and taco dip!

Rotel dip in a white bowl.
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Cheesy Rotel Sausage Dip

This Rotel sausage dip is simple to make yet incredibly delicious! It’s similar to Velveeta queso made with Velveeta and Rotel, but it includes a few extra ingredients for added flavor and creaminess. 

Cheesy sausage dip with Rotel is one of the easiest crockpot appetizers for game day. It’s one of our favorite Super Bowl appetizers and it’s also great at holiday parties, potlucks, movie nights and more!

Why I Love This Recipe

  • An all-around party dip. Cream cheese sausage dip is perfect for just about any game day or gathering from a Super Bowl party to an easy appetizer for the holidays.
  • Addictive. It’s the type of dip that draws in a crowd who will ask you for the recipe or ask you to make it again next time. Bacon cheddar ranch dip is another favorite!

Ingredient Notes

Rotel dip ingredients on counter.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Sausage: Use either breakfast sausage or Italian sausage. Use mild pork sausage unless you like a little extra heat, like spicy Italian sausage or Jimmy Dean’s hot sausage.
  • Onion: It may seem obvious, but knowing how to cut an onion quickly and easily can save you a lot of tears! 
  • Velveeta: This is a processed cheese known for its velvety smooth melting properties. It’s what makes the sausage cream cheese Rotel dip orange!
  • Cream cheese: No need to bring it to room temperature ahead of time. It will melt as it cooks adding to the tanginess and the creaminess of this dip.
  • Rotel: Or diced tomatoes with green chilies and seasonings. It comes in original or spicy, so use what you prefer.

How to Make Rotel Sausage Dip

In a medium skillet, cook the sausage and onions over medium heat. If you plan on doubling this recipe, grab yourself a large skillet. Use a wooden spoon to crumble the meat and cook on the stovetop until no longer pink. Remove it from the heat and drain any excess grease.

Browning sausage in a skillet.

Add the sausage and onions to the crock pot. Top with Velveeta, cream cheese, and Rotel.

Sausage, velveeta, Rotel and cream cheese in a slow cooker.

Cover with the lid and then cook on low heat for 2 hours until the sausage rotel dip is melted and combined.

Stirring rotel sausage dip.

Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve immediately while hot or keep it on the warm function until you’re ready to serve. Stir the sausage cream cheese Rotel dip just before serving.

Rotel sausage dip in a crockpot.

Tips and Variations

  • Protein. Use ground beef instead of sausage. Be sure to drain the excess grease before adding it to the dip.
  • No cream cheese. Omit the cream cheese altogether. It adds a ton of creaminess and a bit of tang, but if you don’t have any, you don’t need to run to the store to get it. Just add more Velveeta to the Rotel sausage dip.
  • Cheese. Cheddar cheese is an option to use if you don’t like, or don’t have any Velveeta.
  • Seasoning. Chili powder, cayenne, and smoked paprika are additional spice options. Taco seasoning is great too. Extra flavor with a kick!
  • Spicy salsa. Swap the Rotel for spicy salsa. It tastes different but still yum!
  • Thin dip. Add in up to 1/4-1/2 cup evaporated milk for a thinner dip. This is great for when you want to pour it over nachos!
  • Spice it up! Add in chopped bell peppers or jalapenos for a little kick. To ramp up the heat, you can also choose to use spicy Rotel and spicy sausage.
  • Garnish. Top with chopped cilantro, if desired. It’ll add a nice pop of color while cutting through the heaviness of the dip.

Serving Suggestions

An assortment of crackers, veggies, homemade tortilla chipshomemade pretzel bites, pita bread, and fresh-cut vegetables is what we usually serve.

Any leftover dip also tastes great on sheet pan nachos or on to make-your-own nacho bar as an easy dinner for your family.

Dipping chip into rotel dip.

Love dips? Try my queso blanco dip, cream cheese chili queso dip, and 7-layer dip for your next game day party!

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Chip dipping into sausage cream cheese rotel dip.

Rotel Sausage Dip

5 from 22 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
This Rotel sausage dip is easy and cheesy! Made with just 4 ingredients including sausage, cream cheese, Velveeta and Rotel, it's an addicting game day party appetizer.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 12

Video

Ingredients 

  • ½ pound breakfast sausage , or Italian sausage
  • ½ cup chopped onion , optional
  • 1 (8-ounce) package Velveeta , cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 (10-ounce) can RO*TEL

For serving: Tortilla chips, Crackers, Vegetables

Instructions

  • Brown meat. In a medium skillet, cook 1/2 pound sausage and 1/2 cup onions, if using, over medium heat. Break up with a wooden spoon and cook until browned. Remove from heat and drain any grease.
  • Add the sausage mixture to a slow cooker. Top with 8 ounces Velveeta, 4 ounces cream cheese, and 1 can RO*TEL. Set to low heat and cook for 2 hours, or until melted. Alternatively, heat all ingredients in a skillet over low heat until melted.
  • Serve hot or set slow cooker to warm until ready to serve. Stir just before serving.

Notes

Variations: 
  • You can omit the cream cheese and use more Velveeta. 
  • Add in up to 1/4-1/2 cup evaporated milk for a thinner dip. 
  • Add in chopped bell peppers or jalapenos for a little kick. 
  • Add in a teaspoon of taco seasoning or chili powder to amp up the flavor. 
  • Top with chopped cilantro, if desired. 
Storage: Store in a covered container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave. 

Nutrition

Calories: 139kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 452mg | Potassium: 179mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 354IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 128mg | Iron: 0.5mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Mexican
Diet: Gluten Free

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this cheesy Rotel sausage dip ahead of time?

You can cook the meat and onions ahead of time and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to add them to the slow cooker.

Can I make this Rotel sausage dip on the stove without a slow cooker?

You can make this a stove top sausage cream cheese dip by melting everything in the skillet over low heat. In this case, I would start with a large skillet.

Does this dip need to be kept in the refrigerator?

The dairy in this dip won’t keep for too long outside of the fridge. If you’re keeping it on the warm function, it will last a little longer but do not keep it out much longer than 2 hours at room temperature.

How to store leftovers?

To store leftovers, cool then add to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave, a skillet, or the slow cooker. It just depends on how much you have left.

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