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This easy Rotel Dip recipe is the creamy, cheesy favorite that turns game day, holiday parties, or last minute get togethers into instant hits. Made with just ground beef, Velveeta, and a can of Rotel tomatoes, it comes together in minutes and is gone in seconds!
Why You’ll Love This Rotel Dip
- Only 3 ingredients – Ground beef, Rotel, and Velveeta keep it simple and budget-friendly.
- Quick prep – Ready to serve in about 20 minutes.
- Perfect for parties – Crowd-pleasing for potlucks, tailgates, or casual get-togethers.
- Versatile – Serve it as an appetizer, spoon it over nachos, pile it inside baked potatoes or tuck it into tacos.
- Family favorite – Creamy, tangy, spicy, and hearty all in one delicious cheesy dip.
Ingredients Notes
- Ground beef – Swap with ground chicken, turkey, or spicy sausage.
- Rotel tomatoes – Substitute with chunky salsa or canned diced tomatoes with green chiles.
- Velveeta cheese – Replace with cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese or a Mexican blend.
- Optional add-ins – Stir in green chilies, jalapeños, or taco seasoning for extra flavor. For a fresh burst, add chopped cilantro or sliced green onions just before serving.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Rotel Dip
Stovetop instructions
- Cook the beef: Brown the beef in a large pot over medium heat. Drain excess grease.
- Add ingredients: Cut Velveeta into cubes and add to the pan along with the entire can of Rotel (do not drain).
- Melt and stir: Cook on medium-low, stirring frequently, until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Transfer the Velveeta Rotel dip to a bowl and serve warm with tortilla chips, pretzels, or fresh veggies.
Crockpot Rotel Dip Instructions
- Brown the beef: Cook ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat and drain the grease.
- Add to crock pot: Combine the cooked beef, Velveeta cubes, and undrained Rotel in a slow cooker.
- Cook: Cover and cook on low for 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Switch to “warm” to keep the rotel cheese dip hot and gooey while serving.
Tip: Spray the crockpot with nonstick spray for easy cleanup.
How to Store and Reheat Rotel Dip
- Store: Let cool, then store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days
- Reheat: Warm on the stove or microwave in 30-second intervals. Stir in a splash of milk if needed to restore creaminess
- Freeze: Store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating
More Party-Perfect Recipes
- State Fair Lemonade
- Crab Pasta Salad
- Giant Party Sub
- The Best Dessert Dips
- Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Keto Pickle Chips
If you’ve tried this Rotel Dip Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it turned out in the comments below.
Rotel Dip
Serves — 8
This creamy Rotel dip combines savory ground beef, melty Velveeta, and zesty Rotel tomatoes for a quick, crowd-pleasing appetizer. Perfect for parties, game days, or any time you need a cheesy, scoopable snack in minutes.
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 10-ounce can Rotel tomatoes 10 oz
- 1 16-ounce box Velveeta cheese 16 oz
Instructions
- Place the ground beef in a large pot on the stove over medium heat. Brown the beef until no longer pink.1 pound ground beef
- Cut the Velveeta into chunks (this will help it melt faster)1 16-ounce box Velveeta cheese
- Add the whole can of Rotel tomatoes and stir in the Velveeta cheese. Stir frequently until the cheese is completely melted.1 10-ounce can Rotel tomatoes
- Transfer to a serving bowl and serve warm along with your favorite dipping foods!
Jenn’s Notes
To store Rotel Dip, first let it cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will keep well for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, you may need to add a splash of milk to maintain its creamy consistency.
Nutrition Info
Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 39mg | Potassium: 196mg | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg
I use a lb of hot sausage instead of hamburger. so good
I use sausage instead of hb It’s great
We have made this for over 30 years but we also add a can of Hormel Chili (no beans version). Perfect for the crockpot.
When browning the meat is it safe to assume you drained the grease before putting in the other ingredients?
It’s awesome good with chili with beans
I use this recipe all the time. I would use taco meat instead. It’s even BETTER!!!
Has anyone made and served this in crockpot?
I am make this in my crockpot all the time. This is my “go to” for parties, and potlucks. Truth be told, I don’t think I have made this on my stove top more than once in all the years I’ve been making this. 😃
Any reason I couldn’t use a jar of salsa in place of the Rotel?
You can definitely use salsa instead of the Rotel, but I wouldn’t recommend it as it changes the taste of this dip. I am a huge lover of the flavor of Rotel, and I favor that over the flavor of salsa. Personal preference. 🙂
This recipe is exactly how I learned to make it and made it this way for many yrs. I’ve taken it to many events over the yrs & always bring home an empty container. Overtime, I have played around with the recipe as my husband and I like some heat to it. I use 1 can of Rotel in “original/mild” and 1 can of “hot”. We also like it with sausage better than hamburger. The 2 cans Rotel vs 1 can also fixes the problem of the dip being too thick from the cheese. My friend uses 1 can Rotel and 1 can cream of mushroom soup & we like that for a little change. The original recipe as you’ve stated it is the best dip for something quick, easy & very tasty & provides a great base to get creative. Thanks for posting- think I will make a batch for the Auburn game today! WAR EAGLE, GO TIGERS!
I used to make this all the time. So, so good. Also a quick and easy go to! I started to chang it up and replaced the hamburger with maple flavored sausage, added half a block of cream cheese and one can of chili beans. So many ways to change it up a bit if you want!