Description
Rotel Cheese Dip is a creamy, spicy, and crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring melted processed cheese blended with diced tomatoes and green chilies. Perfect for parties, game days, or casual gatherings, this easy-to-make dip can be served warm with tortilla chips, veggies, or pretzels. Optionally enhanced with browned ground beef or sausage and garnished with fresh cilantro or jalapeños for extra flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 1 lb (16 oz) processed cheese (such as Velveeta), cubed
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel), undrained
Meat (Optional)
- 1/2 lb ground beef or sausage
Seasonings & Garnish
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- Chopped cilantro or jalapeños for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Meat: In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef or sausage until browned and fully cooked. Drain any excess fat and set the meat aside.
- Melt the Cheese and Tomatoes: In a saucepan or slow cooker, combine the cubed processed cheese and the entire undrained can of Rotel tomatoes with green chilies. Heat over low heat, stirring frequently, until the cheese is completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Add Meat and Seasonings: Stir in the cooked meat (if using), garlic powder, and onion powder. Continue heating the dip for another 2 to 3 minutes until all ingredients are well incorporated and heated through.
- Keep Warm and Serve: Reduce the heat to warm. Garnish with chopped cilantro or jalapeños if desired. Serve the dip hot with tortilla chips, fresh vegetables, or pretzels for dipping.
Notes
- To keep warm during parties, transfer the dip to a slow cooker set on the warm setting.
- For a spicier dip, use hot Rotel tomatoes or add diced jalapeños to the recipe.
- This recipe can also be made in the microwave by heating in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until fully melted and smooth.
