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Rotel Dip Recipe by Mr. Make It Happen
What is Rotel Dip?
Rotel dip, often known as “Velveeta Rotel dip,” originated in the United States, particularly popular in the Southwestern region. The dip combines Velveeta cheese with Rotel tomatoes (a brand of canned diced tomatoes and green chilies) and is typically made with sausage or ground beef.
Its easy preparation and rich, creamy texture made it a staple at parties, sporting events, and family gatherings, especially in Tex-Mex cuisine. The dish reflects the fusion of traditional Tex-Mex flavors with convenience foods, making it a beloved comfort food across the country.
Today we are taking the traditional classic cheese dip to new heights with some key ingredients. For me, I like to add freshly shredded cheese AND the addition of chipotle peppers in adobo. For the cheese, we are using smoked gouda and cheddar. One other flavor enhancement is the use of Hot Sausage rather than ground beef.
First things first, let’s get organized and measure out our ingredients. Dice your onion and cilantro, shred the cheese, etc.
I like to use both white and yellow Velveeta cheese, but feel free to use what you prefer.
Why shred your own cheese?
Shredding your own cheese has several benefits compared to using pre-shredded varieties. Here are some key advantages:
1. Better Flavor and Texture
- Freshness: Freshly shredded cheese tends to have a more robust flavor and creamier texture.
- Moisture Content: Homemade shreds retain more moisture, which can enhance the overall taste of your dishes.
2. No Anti-Caking Agents
- Purity: Pre-shredded cheeses often contain anti-caking agents like cellulose to prevent clumping. These can alter the texture and flavor of the cheese. Shredding your own means you avoid these additives.
3. Customizable Grate Size
- Control: You can choose the size of the shreds based on your recipe needs—coarse for melting and fine for toppings, for instance.
4. Cost-Effectiveness
- Savings: Buying blocks of cheese is often more economical than pre-shredded options. You get more cheese for your money and can shred only what you need.
5. Healthier Options
- Additives: Shredding your own cheese allows you to avoid preservatives and additives found in some packaged cheeses.
6. Enhanced Melting Quality
- Better Melt: Freshly shredded cheese melts more evenly, making it ideal for dishes like casseroles, nachos, or pizzas.
7. Fun and Satisfying
- Culinary Experience: Shredding cheese can be a fun cooking activity, allowing you to engage more in the preparation of your meals.
Cook the Sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, add the hot sausage. Cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Once done, drain excess fat if necessary and set aside.
Sauté the Onion: In the same skillet, add a little oil if needed and toss in the diced onion. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes, or until the onions are translucent. Add the roasted garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Combine Ingredients: In a large pot or slow cooker, combine the cooked sausage, sautéed onions, Rotel (with juices), milk, chipotle juice, and all the seasonings (Sazon, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika).
Melt the Cheeses: Add the cubed Velveeta, White Velveeta, and shredded smoked Gouda to the pot. Stir until the cheeses start to melt. If using a slow cooker, set it on low and allow the dip to warm through, stirring occasionally.
Add the juice from the chipotle peppers – or for a spicier version, blend the whole can and add it to the dip.
Add Cheddar: Once the dip is creamy and heated through, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and fully incorporated. Adjust the consistency with more milk if needed.
Serve: Transfer the dip to a serving dish or keep it warm in the slow cooker. Serve with tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh veggies for dipping.
Garnish with additional drained ratel and cilantro.
Enjoy!
This Rotel Dip is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. With its creamy texture and bold flavors, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Gather your friends and family, grab some chips, and dive into this cheesy goodness!
Print & Download Rotel Dip Recipe
Rotel Dip
Equipment
- Large Pot or Slow Cooker
- Baking Dish for presentation
Ingredients
- * 1 lb hot sausage
- * 16 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
- * 16 oz White Velveeta cheese, cubed
- * 8 oz shredded smoked Gouda
- * 4-8 oz shredded cheddar cheese, adjust based on your preference
- * 1 can chipotles in adobo, juice only
- * 1/4 cup milk
- * 2 cans Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
- * 1 onion, diced
- * 1-2 tbsp roasted garlic, adjust to taste
* Seasonings:
- * 1 tsp Sazon
- * 1 tsp cumin
- * 1 tsp chili powder
- * 1 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
First things first, let’s get organized and measure out our ingredients.
- Dice your onion and cilantro, shred the cheese, etc.
- I like to use both white and yellow Velveeta, but feel free to use what you prefer.
Cook the Sausage:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the hot sausage.
- Cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
- Once done, drain excess fat if necessary and set aside.
Sauté the Onion:
- In the same skillet, add a little oil if needed and toss in the diced onion.
- Sauté for about 3-4 minutes, or until the onions are translucent.
- Add the roasted garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Combine Ingredients:
- In a large pot or slow cooker, combine the cooked sausage, sautéed onions, Rotel (with juices), milk, chipotle juice, and all the seasonings (Sazon, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika).
Melt the Cheeses:
- Add the cubed Velveeta, White Velveeta, and shredded smoked Gouda to the pot.
- Stir until the cheeses start to melt. If using a slow cooker, set it on low and allow the dip to warm through, stirring occasionally.
- Add the juice from the chipotle peppers – or for a spicier version, blend the whole can and add it to the dip.
Add Cheddar:
- Once the dip is creamy and heated through, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and fully incorporated.
- Adjust the consistency with more milk if needed.
Serve:
- Transfer the dip to a serving dish or keep it warm in the slow cooker.
- Serve with tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh veggies for dipping.
- Garnish with additional drained ratel and cilantro.
