Rotel Dip Recipe
60 Comments Jun 14, 2020
Updated May 29, 2025
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Make this easy Rotel Dip in just two steps with melty cheese, seasoned meat, and canned tomatoes. Perfect for parties, game day, or anytime you need a quick appetizer.
Why you’ll love this dip
Rotel dip has been around for a long time, but this version adds a few key upgrades to the classic Velveeta-and-Rotel combo. (Do you remember the commercials?).
- Only 5 ingredients
- Serves 12 as an appetizer
- Easy to double for parties
- Can be made in the crockpot or on the Stove-Top
Magic Ingredients for Rotel Cheese Dip
This creamy, meaty dip comes together with just a few pantry staples. Check the recipe card below for exact amounts and instructions.
- Velveeta Cheese – Melts down into a smooth, rich base for the dip.
- Ro-Tel Tomatoes – Two cans (undrained) add flavor, spice, and the perfect consistency.
- Ground Beef – Browned and drained before mixing in.
- Seasonings – A mix of chili powder and garlic powder adds just the right amount of heat.
How to make Rotel Dip:
To make this easy crockpot dip, just brown the ground beef on the stove, then add everything to your slow cooker—cheese, Rotel, and seasonings. Let it cook until melted and creamy. Stir, switch to warm, and serve it right from the crockpot.
Variations
Make this dip your own with a few easy swaps:
- Swap ground beef for Jimmy Dean sausage
- Use mild Rotel or canned diced tomatoes to reduce spice
- Omit beef and add black beans for a meatless version
- Stir in cream cheese for a richer dip
My Serving Tips
We make this dip often, here is how we like to serve it:
- Rotel dip is best served with corn tortilla chips, which can be store-bought or homemade. Here is the recipe I use: Homemade Tortilla Chips Recipe.
- You can also use “Frito” corn chips – buy the larger kind labeled “Fritos Scoops”.
- For a lower-carb or healthier option, you can serve the dip with vegetables such as carrot chips, sugar snap peas, cucumber, or celery.
- If your dip thickens, add a splash of milk.
Featured Comment
“I followed your recipe and it turned out marvelous! My daughter said it was the best rotel dip I have ever made. I think adding the chili powder gave it that extra flavor it needed .
– Lizzie
Rotel Dip Recipe
How to Video
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 16 oz. Velveeta cheese, (the small box)
- 20 oz. Rotel® diced Tomatoes with & Green Chiles, (TWO 10-oz. cans, undrained)
- 2 tsp. chili powder
- 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
For serving
- corn chips
- chopped cilantro, optional
Instructions
Crockpot Instructions
- Set a large skillet over medium high heat on the stove top. Brown and crumble the ground beef, drain the fat.
- Add the cooked ground beef to the slow cooker, cube the velveeta and add on top of the beef.
- Pour over the can of rotel and sprinkle over the chili and garlic powder. Stir.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 2 hours or until cheese is melted and the dip is hot.
- Tip: Keep the slow cooker on warm and stir occasionally to prevent sticking as it sits.
Stove Top Instructions
- In a large skillet or pot, brown the beef and crumble over medium high heat, drain off fat.
- Add remaining ingredients and let melt together. When warmed, serve and enjoy.
- Note that cooking on the stove top will evaporate more liquid so you may have to add milk to thin the rotel dip.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Other great dip recipes:
- From Crockpot Queso Dip, made with creamy white cheese and green peppers, to Chili Cheese Dip, these crowd-pleasing recipes are perfect for any occasion.
- Bacon Cheeseburger Dip and Velveeta Bean Dip bring bold, cheesy flavors with minimal effort. For a smoky twist, try Slow Cooker Smoked Queso or the rich and savory Slow Cooker Sausage Dip.
- Slow Cooker Nacho Cheese is a must for nacho lovers, offering a smooth, melty texture that’s perfect for dipping. Slow Cooker Taco Dip has a zesty kick that is one of my most popular dips.
Make this all the time just for the fun of it! With the Velveeta, i use the queso blanco 16 oz and instead of hamburger I use 1 lb of cooked Jimmy Dean sausage. I CANNOT get enough!!!!
I have a diabetic in my family. In the nutrition session, what is the serving size for the Rotel dip? Thank you
I don’t have serving measurements, I apologize.
How many does this recipe feed??
About 12
Can you make with manchego cheese and some heavy cream instead of the velveeta?
That would need to be tested, I apologize.
Have you ever baked in the oven? after you brown the meat of course….
What is the serving size?
I don’t measure, I apologize. It’s just an estimate.