Does Velveeta have to be in Rotel Dip?

No, you can use Cheddar mix, Monterey Jack, or Mexican cheese blend. Almost any cheese will work, but Velveeta is the easiest to melt.

Can I make Rotel dip spicier?

For more heat, you can also stir in jalapeños, hot sauce, or spicy Rotel varieties.

Which type of meat goes well with the recipe?

We always have good here in the US, preferably 80-20 ground beef or sausage, which will add a little extra flavor, but keep it healthy and make these stuffed peppers with leaner meats or chicken.

Why does Rotel dip get too thick?

Return to the heat and warm through, diluting with milk if it thickens. It also helps to have a slow cooker or warming tray.

How do you make Rotel dip without using meat?

Healthy vegetarian chili from Sweetphi (Yes, no meat, or add black beans and corn for a veggie version.

How Long Does Rotel Dip Keep in the Fridge?

It keeps well in the refrigerator for three to four days. When reheating, add a little milk to it, and its creaminess will be restored.

Best Rotel Dip Recipe for Game Day {15 minutes}

Jump to Recipe

Do you need that perfect snack for game day or the party? Rotel Dip is a no-fail crowd-pleaser. It’s a real crowd-pleaser with all that rich, creamy cheese and spicy tomatoes mixed in — if you haven’t made it in years, this is the time to get back on board. It’s also a super-fast, simple, and effortless recipe. In this post, we will break down the process of making a classic dip so that every bite is like eating it straight at home!

What is a Rotel Dip?

Rotel dip is a creamy and cheesy version of Velveeta that has been melted with a can or two (or sometimes just the equivalent) of Rotel tomatoes. Rotel tomatoes are diced tomatoes with green chilies, adding some extra somethin’ to this queso. From Texas — where the dish became a warm, spicy treat with chips, I served it for game days, potlucks, and parties. Learn more about the Rotel Tomatoes varieties here.

Why You’ll Love This Rotel Dip Recipe

This Rotel dip is different from any other recipe for several reasons. It is also one of the most straightforward recipes, with few ingredients. In less than 15 minutes, your dip will be ready to serve. It is also flexible–you can customize the ingredients to spicy, mild, meaty, or vegetarian. And, of course, it can never go wrong with this one. To conclude, they taste great and are always loved by everyone too (I guarantee!). These are a creamy, spicy, and cheesy combination — what is there not to love?

Rotel Dip Recipe Ingredients

All you need for this tasty dip are great ingredients:

Velveeta cheese: Melts are creamy and so good for a dip. You can find more about Velveeta cheese here.
Rotel tomatoes: The diced tomatoes and green chilies come from a can of Rotel.
Ground beef or sausage: Some people like to add 1.5-2 lb of cooked crumbled ground meat for a more substantial dip, whether it’s accessible floor red meat or sausage.
Optional seasonings: You can also sprinkle more spices, such as garlic powder or cayenne pepper, to taste.

Types of Cheese to Use in Rotel Dip

While Velveeta is the quintessential dip cheese, and you will never beat that melty goodness, we also use some fun others. If you like real cheese, use cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend scratches; it’ll work fine! Reminder: grate the cheese for an even melt!

Best Meat Options for Rotel Dip

Throw some meat in there and get a nice, hearty, flavorful dip. Ground beef is one of my favorites since it can be cooked quickly and delivers a soft texture. A slightly spicier, heartier sausage is also highly recommended. You can even mix both meats for an extra thick dip. Use ground turkey or chicken in place if you want a healthier version.

Making Rotel Dip Vegetarian

For a vegetarian version, omit the meat. The Rotel dip recipe is still delicious without it. Throw in some black beans or corn for a little more body. Cheese is so flavourful that it properly complements the tomatoes, not to miss any meat.

Spicing Up Your Rotel Dip

Are you looking for an extra kick? Add a little kick to your Rotel dip recipe by incorporating either jalapeños, chili powder, or even a few drops of hot sauce. Add some chipotle pepper or smoked paprika for a smokey flavor. Spice it up for yourself according to your preference, but not too much if this is dinner and you’re serving a more wimpy-eating crowd like me! For more tips on spicing up your food, check out this guide.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Rotel Dip

Cook the meat: If you use ground beef or sausage, crust it in a skillet on the stovetop until browned and cooked. Drain the excess fat.
Melt the cheese: Cut up the Velveeta and place it in a large pot over medium heat.
Add Rotel: Stir in a can of not-so-sullen tomatoes once the cheese melts.
Combine: Stir meat into melted cheese if using. This is where you would add any special seasonings or spices.
Serve: Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and serve with chips or fresh vegetables.

Quick and Easy Rotel Dip Recipe

Recipe by Chef SarahCourse: AppetizersCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Calories

180

kcal

Ingredients

1 lb Velveeta cheese
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 lb ground beef or sausage (optional)
Spices (optional)

Directions

Brown the meat and drain the fat.
Melt cheese in a saucepan over medium heat.
Add Rotel tomatoes and stir until thoroughly combined.
Serve warm with chips.

More Recipes to Try

What Can I Serve with Rotel Dip?

It goes great with tortilla chips, but there are many different things to dip into this. Enjoy it with some cut-up and washed veggies such as carrot, celery, or bell peppers to make a pakora chat of sorts. You could also serve chips, pretzels, or homemade soft pretzels warm and for dipping. Get the creative juices flowing: pour it on top of nachos or a baked potato.

Tips for the Perfect Rotel Dip Consistency

It will also scorch the bottom portion if not stirred constantly. If the dip becomes very thick, add a small splash of milk or cream to help thin it. Be careful to avoid overheating it, or your cheese might get grainy! Warm in a pan over low heat (pulling off gas as necessary and stirring constantly to prevent scorch) until you get an excellent pot of smooth yumminess!

Can You Make Rotel Dip in a Crockpot?

Yes, you can! We’re rolling with the crockpot party and signed up for some Rotel dip. Stir occasionally until the cheese has melted. Place it on ‘warm’ to keep your dip friendly and bubbly for hours.

Rotel Dip In The Microwave

Rotel dip can also be made in the microwave to shorten cooking time. Cube the cheese in a microwave-safe bowl, and add Rotel tomatoes. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, stirring well between intervals until the cheese is melted completely. If adding meat, cook your desired protein in advance and toss it with the finished dressing.

Serving Ideas for Rotel Dip

Serve this dip with pita chips or crackers for parties and game days. You can offer it in individual cups for dipping or layering it with guacamole and sour cream. You can also mix it in jalapeno poppers or as a quesadilla filler.

How to Keep Rotel Dip Warm for Parties

Serve Rotel dip in a slow cooker or on the top of a low-heat warming tray so it stays warm all evening. If you don’t have one, put the dip into an oven-safe dish and keep it in a shallow oven (about 200°F) while people nosh throughout your festivities.

Can You Freeze Rotel Dip?

You may get a slightly different texture once it thaws, but you should still have some good Ro-tel cheese dip. To freeze: Cool the dip completely, then transfer to an air-tight container. You can freeze smoothie packs for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight, and gently reheat on a stovetop or microwave to serve.

How to Reheat Rotel Dip

Reheat your slow cooker rotel dip in the microwave and stir after every 30 seconds. Wrap or reheat in a skillet over deficient heat. If your dip comes out too thick once reheated, whisk in some milk to make it creamy.

Make-Ahead Tips for Rotel Dip

Plus, Rotel dip is a fantastic make-ahead recipe. You can brown the meat, melt the cheese, and stir in the Rotel up to two days before, then keep it refrigerated. When you are ready to serve it, reheat it and eat it!

Rotel Dip Variations

Are you looking to mix things up? Toppings: Throw a small handful of black beans, corn kernels, or diced avocado, and extra additions for delicious texture. It can be customized with your choice of meat; you already know how much I love spicy sausage, or you could make it with ground turkey. Serve with taco seasoning mixed in or on the pile, garnishing each dish with jalapeño slices for a Tex-Mex flair.

Is Rotel Dip Gluten-Free?

And YES, this Rotel Dip recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use an excellent Colby jack cheese and get the right brand of Rotel. Besides that, look at the labels (especially if you add spices or other ingredients separately) and ensure no hidden gluten.

Low-Carb or Keto-Friendly Rotel Dip Options

There are very minimal tweaks to be made to make this Rotel dip keto or low-carb. Ditch the tortilla chips and celery for pork rinds or fresh veggies instead. Rich and nearly carb-less, the dip is a keto-friendly treat.

Rotel Dip for Game Days and Parties

Rotel dip is a game day and party staple for a good reason: it’s quick to prepare, crowd-ready, and always a hit. It is to be served as an appetizer, in a crockpot, or something you munch on while watching the game – it keeps your guests coming back for more.

Conclusion

Rotel dip is perfect for a game day party, family get-togethers, or when you want something delicious to snack on. It is fast, it can be tailored to what you like (or need), and most people you make will love it. Have it just once; this will surely be a staple dish at all your potlucks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rotel Dip Recipe

Does Velveeta have to be in Rotel Dip?
No, you can use Cheddar mix, Monterey Jack, or Mexican cheese blend. Almost any cheese will work, but Velveeta is the easiest to melt.
Can I make Rotel dip spicier?
For more heat, you can also stir in jalapeños, hot sauce, or spicy Rotel varieties.
Which type of meat goes well with the recipe?
We always have good here in the US, preferably 80-20 ground beef or sausage, which will add a little extra flavor, but keep it healthy and make these stuffed peppers with leaner meats or chicken.
Why does Rotel dip get too thick?
Return to the heat and warm through, diluting with milk if it thickens. It also helps to have a slow cooker or warming tray.
How do you make Rotel dip without using meat?
Healthy vegetarian chili from Sweetphi (Yes, no meat, or add black beans and corn for a veggie version.
How Long Does Rotel Dip Keep in the Fridge?
It keeps well in the refrigerator for three to four days. When reheating, add a little milk to it, and its creaminess will be restored.

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