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This easy Rotel Dip is a creamy, cheesy appetizer made with ground beef, Velveeta, and tomatoes. With just a few simple ingredients, it comes together quickly and is perfect for game days, parties, potlucks, or any time you need a simple dip that’s always a hit.
“Rotel dip is one of my favorite last-minute appetizers because it’s so quick to throw together. I love serving it for game days and parties because it’s warm, cheesy, and always one of the first dips to disappear.”
-Becky
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Rotel dip is quick to make with just four simple ingredients and is ready in about 20 minutes. It’s warm, cheesy, and easy to customize with your favorite add-ins or toppings. Serve it with tortilla chips for an easy appetizer everyone can dig into.
If you love easy, cheesy dips, try my Sour Cream Dip, Mexican Street Corn Dip, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Blue Cheese Dip, or Homemade Guacamole next.
Table of Contents
Ingredients You Will Need
- ground beef- For those who enjoy a heartier dip, adding cooked ground meat enhances the texture and protein content.
- Velveeta cheese- When melted, gives the smooth, creamy texture that makes this dip so addictive, along with it’s cheddar cheese flavor.
- Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles- The perfect balance of tomatoes and green chilies adds a tangy and mildly spicy flavor.
- chili powder- simple spice that can add heat flavor to a recipe
Optional:
- Salt and Pepper to Taste-Enhances the overall flavor.
- Fresh Cilantro or Green Onions for Garnish (optional)-Adds a fresh, vibrant touch.
A full list of ingredients is in the recipe card below.
Variations
- Make it spicy: Add chopped jalapeños, hot sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Make it vegetarian: Leave out the ground beef and add black beans, corn, diced bell peppers, or mushrooms.
- Use chicken: Substitute shredded cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken for the ground beef.
- Make it extra creamy: Stir in a little cream cheese or sour cream for an even creamier dip.
- Swap the ground beef: Use ground turkey or sausage instead of ground beef for a different flavor.
How to Make Rotel Dip
- In a large skillet on the stove top, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, until browned. Once cooked, drain the excess fat.
- Reduce heat to medium low, then add the chili powder, tomatoes, and cheese to the skillet. Stir the ingredients together continuously until the cheese is fully melted and the dip is creamy.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, then transfer the Rotel dip to a small crock pot and keep on low so it can stay warm. Tip with cilantro, chopped jalapenos, or green onions for garnish.
- Serve immediately with tortilla chips, crackers, sliced baguette, fresh vegetable sticks, or your favorite dippers.
How to Make Rotel Dip in the Slow Cooker
Brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain any excess grease. Add the cooked beef, cubed Velveeta, Rotel tomatoes with the juices, and chili powder to a slow cooker.
Cook on LOW for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the cheese is completely melted and the dip is smooth. Once melted, turn the slow cooker to WARM for serving.
Expert Tips
- Keep the juices: Don’t drain the Rotel tomatoes. The juices add flavor and help give the dip its creamy consistency.
- Cut the cheese into cubes: Cut the Velveeta into small cubes so it melts faster and more evenly.
- Adjust the consistency: If the dip is too thick, stir in a little milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Keep it warm: Serve the dip in a small slow cooker on the warm setting to keep it creamy for parties, potlucks, or game day.
- Try it as a topping: Leftover Rotel dip is delicious on baked potatoes, tacos, burgers, nachos, or quesadillas.
FAQ’S
Yes! You can substitute Velveeta with cream cheese, shredded cheddar, or Monterey Jack cheese. The consistency and flavor will be a bit different, but it will still be delicious.
Yes. Make the dip ahead of time and store it covered in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, reheat it on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, stirring occasionally until warm and creamy.
No. Add the Rotel tomatoes along with the juices from the can. The liquid helps give the dip its creamy, dippable consistency.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
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Rotel Dip Recipe
Equipment
- large skillet
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 16 ounces Velveeta Cheese
- 10 ounces Rotel diced tomatoes and green chiles
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
Optional: Salt and Pepper to taste. Fresh Cilantro, chopped jalapenos, or green onions for garnish
Instructions
- In a large skillet on the stove top, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, until browned. Once cooked, drain the excess fat.
- Reduce heat to medium low, then add the chili powder, tomatoes, and cheese to the skillet.
- Stir the ingredients together continuously until the cheese is fully melted and the dip is creamy.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, then transfer the Rotel dip to a small crock pot and keep on low so it can stay warm. Tip with cilantro, chopped jalapenos, or green onions for garnish.
- Serve immediately with tortilla chips, crackers, sliced baguette, fresh vegetable sticks, or your favorite dippers.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This dip is one of my favorites to serve with tortilla chips!