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Get It NowThis 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. And since it’s made in the slow cooker, the prep is almost entirely hands-off. 🙌
Why You’ll Love This Sausage Rotel Dip Recipe
- Zesty, cheesy flavor
- Melty, meaty texture
- Just 4 simple ingredients
- No processed cheese
- Only 10 minutes of hands-on prep
- Naturally gluten-free and low in carbs
- The best easy dip recipe that’s easy to customize!
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!
Ingredients & Substitutions
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. You can also substitute other shredded cheeses that melt well, such as Mexican cheese blend, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack for a kick.
- 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.
- Brown the sausage. Add sausage to a large skillet on the stove top and cook over medium-high heat, until browned. Drain excess grease as needed.
- Combine the ingredients. Add meat to the slow cooker with remaining Rotel dip ingredients (except for green onions, if using).
- Slow cook. Turn slow cooker to High heat and cook the sausage dip until it’s hot and bubbly, and the cheese melts. Stir before serving.
Recipe 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. Or, use it as a stuffing option for stuffed portobello mushrooms.
- 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.
- Freeze: If made with processed cheese products, Rotel dip may freeze and thaw with no issues. However, since this recipe is made using natural cheeses, I don’t recommend freezing it because its texture will change.
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, asparagus wrapped in bacon, lemon pepper wings, a jalapeno poppers recipe, and zucchini pizza bites.
- Stuffing – Use this dip as a stuffing option for stuffed tomatoes or peppers.
More Cheesy Dip Recipes
Real ingredients make the best easy dips! Once you try sausage dip with Rotel, make these ones next.
Tools To Make Rotel Dip In The Crock Pot
- Skillet – For browning the sausage. This one conducts heat very well.
- Slow Cooker – This is my recommended slow cooker for this Rotel dip Crock Pot recipe.
- Mini Slow Cooker – Put this smaller one out for parties to keep your sausage Rotel cheese dip hot the entire time.
Sausage Rotel Dip Recipe (4 Ingredients!)
Learn how to make Rotel dip in the Crock Pot with 4 ingredients! This Rotel sausage dip recipe is loaded with meaty, spicy, cheesy flavor.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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In a large skillet, add sausage and use a wooden spoon or spatula to break up the sausage. Cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes, until browned. Drain the grease from the sausage.
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Add all the ingredients to a crock pot and stir until combined.
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Cook on high for 1 1/2 – 2 hours, until ingredients are melted and dip is bubbling.
Did You Like It?
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1/4 cup
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂
15 Comments
Rhonda
0So very yummy! My guests loved it tonite around the bonfire with some peppers and celery to dip and the hi-carbers used Frito Lay Scoops. There was NONE left 😋😋😋
Glenda
0One of our favorite game day snacks! Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe!
Swathi
0Looks delicious
Av
0So yummy. Perfect for a weeknight.
Kristyn
0I keep rotel around for this kind of recipe!! It’s super simple & the crock pot does all the work!
Natalie
0Yes, please!! I could sit & it this all day!! It’s the perfect appetizer!!
Alisha
0We love this recipe! I put it on top of homemade zucchini chips and my family eats it with a tortilla. It’s wonderful as a dip or for nacho topper!
Paula
0This was perfection!! So flavorful and versatile!
Soniya
0Wow! This looks and sounds so delicious! Can’t wait to make it tomorrow!
Angela
0This is a great dip and made so easily in the crockpot. I will definitely be making it again soon!
Jessica Formicola
0I’m always looking for new dips to try, and this one is amazing! I love that it’s made in the crock pot!
Jane
0Love this! So delicous.
Tracy
0Now this is my kind of dip! This is so perfect for any kind of chip or vessel – I might be guilty of eating it with a spoon, too! So yummy!
Pam
0I love how easy this is to make in the slow cooker! Perfect for get togethers!
Scarlet
0I have never had it with Italian sausage before but this rotel dip was so delish. A big hit at our get together. Thanks!