This easy Rotel dip recipe in the Crock Pot is the ultimate cheesy dip for feeding a crowd, all with natural ingredients! Rotel sausage dip adds a meaty element to this already classic creamy and spicy dip — much like my queso dip recipe — using real food ingredients. And since it’s made in the slow cooker, the prep is almost entirely hands-off. 🙌
What Is Rotel Dip?
The original Rotel dip recipe is a combination of processed Velveeta cheese with a brand of canned green chiles and tomatoes known as Ro-tel (or Rotel). Although most dip recipes usually microwave these two ingredients together, you can easily make stovetop or Crock Pot Rotel dip instead — all with less processed cheese!
Ingredient Notes
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for sausage queso dip, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options (with more in the Variations section below). For measurements, see the recipe card below.
Ground Italian Sausage – Any pork sausage will work if Italian seasoning isn’t your favorite. See more meat ideas below!Cheddar Cheese – You can buy pre-shredded, but shredding yourself will make a smoother texture in your dip.Cream Cheese – This ingredient keeps the dip creamy without using processed cheese. I used a plain variety, but other savory flavored ones will work.Diced Tomatoes With Green Chiles – Rotel is the most common brand, but you can also find other varieties in the grocery store in mild, medium, or hot flavors. You’ll need two cans of Rotel tomatoes for this recipe.Green Onions – They’re optional, but make a fresh and zesty garnish.
How To Make Rotel Dip
This section shows how to make sausage dip with Rotel, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
Variations
Swap the meats – Instead of cream cheese Rotel dip with sausage, try Rotel dip with ground beef, ground turkey, chorizo, or even chicken.Add beans – If your lifestyle allows, include a can of drained and rinsed beans to the pot with other ingredients. Try it with black beans or canned chili beans (with or without meat).Use a different cheese – Although cheddar tastes great, you can substitute with mild, sharp, or smoked varieties — or try a different medium to hard melting cheese, such as pepper jack or Mexican blend.Swap with salsa – No Rotel? Substitute it with an equal amount of your favorite jarred salsa (or homemade salsa, yum!). Use a chunkier variety for extra texture.Add spices – Include homemade taco seasoning or fajita seasoning for an extra kick.Rotel dip with shrimp – Instead of using sausage, toss 1 pound of precooked and thawed salad shrimp with 2 teaspoons of store-bought or homemade Cajun seasoning mix. Add to the slow cooker in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Storage Instructions
Store: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the fridge for 3-4 days.Meal prep: Brown sausage 1-2 days in advance. Assemble dip in the Crock Pot several hours before serving.Reheat: Warm in a microwave on low power until hot, or reheat in a slow cooker on Low until heated through.
Can You Freeze Rotel Dip?
If made with processed cheese products, Rotel dip may freeze and thaw with no issues. However, avoid freezing if you use more natural cheeses, as it will change the texture.
What To Serve With Rotel Dip
Rotel sausage cheese dip pairs well with lots of different foods! Try it with these simple sides for game day… or any day:
Fresh Veggies – Veggies like celery sticks, sliced cucumbers, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, and mini bell peppers are great for dipping.Chips & Crackers – Serve with your favorite gluten-free crackers and pretzels, conventional tortilla chips, almond flour crackers, air fryer zucchini chips, or keto tortilla chips.Game Day Appetizers – Make a full party spread with dishes like Mexican shrimp cocktail, bacon wrapped asparagus, lemon pepper wings, jalapeno poppers, and zucchini pizza bites.
More Cheesy Dip Recipes
Real ingredients make the best easy dips! Once you try sausage dip with Rotel, make these ones next. Share your recipe picture by tagging @wholesomeyum and hashtag it #wholesomeyum on Instagram, or in our Facebook support group, too – I’d love to see it!
