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If you’re looking for the ultimate easy game day appetizer, you can’t go wrong with Rotel Dip Recipe! Just 3 ingredients – Velveeta, Rotel, and sausage – a little heat, and a whole lot of cheesy goodness. This Velveeta Cheese Dip with Sausage is always the first thing gone at parties, right alongside Buffalo Chicken Dip and Velveeta Queso Blanco Dip.
Why You’ll Love This Game Day Recipe
⭐️ Only 3-Ingredients – Velvetta, Rotel, and sausage.
⭐️ Quick and Easy – Ready in under 15 minutes.
⭐️ Crowd Favorite – Best Rotel Dip With Sausage for game day snacks, tailgates, or family-get togethers.
⭐️ Multiple Cooking Methods – stovetop and slow cooker instructions.
Looking for more game day dips? Try my Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip or Velveeta Chili Cheese Dip.
Table of Contents
Rotel Dip Ingredients
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
For this Velvetta Cheese Dip you only need three ingredients – that’s it!
- Velvetta Cheese – the creamy, melty base for this dip.
- Rotel Original diced tomatoes – Rotel Tomatoes, are petite diced tomatoes with green chilis and spices. I also love using them in my Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole for a little kick! There’s so much you can do with can Rotel!
- Sausage – pork sausage ( I like spicy the best and love it in my Sausage Balls, too!
TIP: If you like spicy recipes, you can also add in some green chiles as well as an extra can of rotel tomatoes. Some people even add in some taco seasoning for a little bit of extra flavor.
Variations
- Rotel Cheese Dip with Ground Beef – change up the sausage with lean ground beef for a milder version of this easy Rotel dip, or try ground turkey.
- Rotel Dip with Cream Cheese – you can substitute cream cheese for the Velvetta cheddar cheese in this recipe.
- Serve with veggies – Leave the chips in the bag and use chopped-up veggies to serve with this dip instead.
Stovetop Method:
- Brown the Sausage: Cook the sausage in a skillet over medium heat until browned.
- Add the Ingredients: Stir in the Rotel tomatoes and cheese, mixing them with the browned sausage.
- Melt the Cheese: Continue cooking on low heat, stirring frequently, until the cheese is fully melted and smooth.
Pro Tip: This dip is just as delicious made in the crockpot buffalo chicken dip style — slow cooker set-and-forget convenience!
Serve with tortilla chips, veggies, or even over baked potatoes. For a full Tex-Mex spread, pair it with Black Bean and Corn Salsa and Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips.
Slow Cooker Method (Game Day Favorite!)
- Brown sausage: Cook it separately on the stovetop.
- Combine Ingredients: Add sausage, Velveeta cubes, and Rotel to a slow cooker.
- Cook: Cook on LOW for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally. Switch to warm to keep dip ready all day.
Serving Suggestions
- Tortilla chips
- Crackers
- Pretzel bites
- Fresh veggies like celery or bell peppers
Try spooning leftovers over a Perfect Baked Potato or using it as a nacho topping!
Frequently Asked Questions
Classic Rotel Dip has just 3 ingredients: Velveeta cheese, Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, and ground sausage. That’s it!
Rotel Dip gets its creamy, smooth texture from Velveeta cheese. Unlike shredded cheese, Velveeta melts evenly without separating, giving the dip that silky, rich consistency everyone loves. If you want it even creamier, you can stir in a little cream cheese or a splash of milk to adjust the thickness. You’ll notice a similar effect in my Homemade Mac and Cheese.
No – traditional Rotel Dip doesn’t require cream cheese. But adding it makes the dip extra thick and creamy, so it’s a great variation if you want more richness. A little richer like my Million Dollar Chicken Casserole.
Skip the flour! To thicken naturally, add more Velveeta, stir in cream cheese, or let the dip cook a little longer so excess liquid evaporates.
More Delicious Dip Recipes
Appetizers & Snacks
Crock Pot Sausage Cheese Dip
Appetizers & Snacks
Queso Dip
Appetizers & Snacks
Million Dollar Dip
Appetizers & Snacks
Creamy and Cheesy Refried Bean Dip
Rotel Dip is one of those family favorite dip recipes you’ll come back to again and again. Simple, quick, and always a hit. For more crowd-pleasers, don’t miss my full roundup of easy crock pot appetizer recipes.
Rotel Dip
Equipment
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 16 ounces Velveeta
- 10 ounce Rotel
- 1 pound sausage
Instructions
- Brown sausage in a skillet on the stove.
- Add Rotel tomatoes and cheese to the skillet with the sausage.
- Continue to cook on low, stirring often until the cheese is melted.
- Serve with cut-up veggies, crackers, or tortilla chips!
Video
Notes
- Sausage Options – Use regular, spicy, or Italian sausage. Ground beef or turkey also work well.
- Velveeta Substitutes – If you don’t have Velveeta, try cream cheese + shredded cheddar or Colby Jack.
- Spice Level – Choose mild, original, or hot Rotel depending on preference. Add diced jalapeños for extra heat.
- Slow Cooker Tip – After melting, keep dip warm in the slow cooker on low or warm – perfect for parties and game day.
- Thinner Dip Fix – If dip is too thick, stir in a splash of milk or cream until it reaches your desired consistency.
I’ve been making this dip for over 15 years and it’s STILL a family favorite! It’s a super easy appetizer recipe that even your kids can put together. Make this Rotel Dip for your next game day party and I PROMISE everyone will ask you for the recipe! 🙂
Wonderful rotel dip Thanks
I make this, but instead of Velveeta, I use 12 ounces of cream cheese. Yummy.
I’ve been making a similar dip for several years. I am vegetarian, so instead of sausage, I use 1 large can (27oz) of Bush’s Best Chili Beans (drain off some of the juice and mash with a potato masher). Everyone loves my cheesy bean dip.
What about draining the grease off the sausage?
We don’t find it necessary for this recipe, but you definitely can!
Amazing!!!
Thank you! We’re so glad you enjoyed it!
Can I use cheez whiz??
We don’t recommend it! The taste and texture won’t be the same.
16oz of cheese or 32oz?
16 oz for one batch!