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Rotel Dip is an easy 3 ingredient dip that’s cheesy, flavorful, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Perfect for game day or holiday parties, this cheesy dip can be whipped up in just 20 minutes.

For more party favorites, try my Spinach Artichoke Dip next.

tortilla chips dipped into a white bowl of rotel dip
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Why We Love This Recipe

  • 3 Ingredients – I love making this dip because it requires little to no prep! With only 3 ingredients (and 2 that can be stored in the pantry), it’s about as easy as an appetizer can get.
  • Perfect Party Dip – Everyone loves this cheesy Rotel Dip! Serve it with tortilla chips, and it will disappear in no time.
  • Ready in Minutes – Cook some ground beef, stir in a can of Rotel and a block of Velveeta until it melts for the easiest cheesy dip ever. You can also make this in the slow cooker.

RECIPE WALK-THROUGH

Ingredient Notes

  • Ground Beef – I prefer a lean cut (like sirloin), so it is not greasy. You can also substitute this for spicy sausage if you want something with a little more heat.
  • Velveeta – Velveeta cheese product, cubed. Chopping it into small pieces helps it to melt more evenly and quickly. If you prefer, you can replace the Velveeta with 8 ounces of cream cheese and 8 ounces of freshly shredded cheddar cheese.
  • Rotel – Rotel is seasoned canned tomatoes with green chiles. Since Rotel comes in varying degrees of heat, you can choose whichever version you prefer: mild, original, or hot. I like to use the original version for this recipe.

How To Make Rotel Cheese Dip

See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions

  • Cook the meat. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet. I like to use a meat chopper to easily break apart the meat as it cooks. Drain any grease that’s left in the pan. You can sprinkle in some chili powder or taco seasoning if you want to spice it up, but that is optional.
  • Stir in cheese and tomatoes. Add in the cubed Velveeta and can of Rotel to the skillet and stir it all together until it’s creamy and totally melted. Be sure to keep the heat at medium-low so the dip doesn’t scorch.
overhead shot of ground sirloin, cubed velveeta, and rotel in a skillet

Recipe Tips

  • If Rotel Dip is too thick, you can thin it out with a bit of milk.
  • Prefer a meatless dip? Just follow the instructions and skip the meat. Rotel and Velveeta combined will still make a delicious, flavorful dip!
  • Instead of ground beef, you can also use a spicy sausage, ground chicken, or ground turkey.
  • Want to increase the heat? Add taco seasoning, cayenne, or chili powder to the meat as you cook it.
  • Want even more heat? Use the hot variety of Rotel or add jalapenos.
  • Don’t want to use Velveeta? You can replace the Velveeta with 8 ounces of cream cheese and 8 ounces (about 2 cups) of freshly shredded cheddar cheese.
  • If you have a big crowd, you can easily double this recipe.

Make it in the Slow Cooker!

You can also brown the meat on the stove, then add the cooked meat, Rotel, and Velveeta to a 3-quart slow cooker and cook on low until melted. This is a great way to serve Rotel cheese dip as a party appetizer and keep it warm the whole time. Just give it a stir occasionally.

Serving Suggestions

Rotel Cheese Dip is best served warm because Velveeta quickly solidifies when cooled down. I like to serve it out of a slow cooker set on WARM.

Serve it with tortilla chips, pretzels (Rotel Dip would be amazing with my Homemade Pretzels!), cut-up veggies, or your favorite crackers.

Storage Tips

Make Ahead, Storage, & Freezing

Make Ahead: You can cook the meat up to 24 hours in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready, you just need to mix everything together and heat it on the stove until the cheese is melted.

Storing Leftovers: If there are any leftovers (there aren’t often!), you can store the dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It will heat up best in a slow cooker or stovetop, but the microwave will also work.

Freezing: If you want to freeze leftovers, add the dip to an airtight, freezer safe container and store up to 3 months. When you’re ready to use it, move it from the fridge to the freezer the night before to thaw, then heat on the stovetop or in a slow cooker.

close up of cheesy rotel dip in a skillet

More Dip Recipes

Recipe

Rotel Dip

5
With only three ingredients, this quick and easy Rotel Dip will be a favorite at any party. The perfect blend of cheesy, spicy goodness, this dip always gets eaten quickly.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 12 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound Lean ground beef like sirloin
  • 16 ounces Velveeta cubed
  • 10 ounces Rotel canned tomatoes and green chiles
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Instructions
 

  • Add the ground beef to a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat until browned.
  • While the beef is cooking, cube the Velveeta.
  • Once the beef is cooked, drain any grease, if any, then add in the cubed Velveeta and can of Rotel tomatoes and chiles. Stir together.
  • Heat over medium heat until fully melted and smooth.

Notes

Slow Cooker Version – Brown the meat on the stove, then add the cooked meat, Rotel, and Velveeta to a slow cooker and cook on low until melted. This is a great way to serve Rotel dip as a party appetizer and keep it warm the whole time. Just give it a stir occasionally.
Storage – Store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Keyword rotel dip

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 169kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 15gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 627mgPotassium: 286mgFiber: 1gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 399IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 230mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.

Melissa Williams

Melissa Williams is the creator of Persnickety Plates where she shares simple, family friendly recipes with everyday ingredients. She especially loves to bake and rarely meets a cookie she doesn’t like. This wife and mom of two girls aims to share recipes that are quick and easy because even though life is busy, there’s always time for good food.

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Comments

  1. Rebecca Payne says:

    Looks so good. I can’t wait to try it.

    1. Kristin says:

      Thanks for stopping by Rebecca!