• About
  • Browse Recipes
  • Recipe Index

Main Navigation

  • Recipe Index
  • About

The Forked Spoon

Eat Healthy • Adventure Often

  • Browse Recipes
  • Breakfast
  • Salads
  • Soups
  • Sides
  • Dinners
  • Desserts
  • By Diet

Home » Appetizers » Rotel Dip

Rotel Dip

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon Jessica Randhawa
November 21, 2022
5 from 5 votes


Last Updated November 21, 2022 | 0 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

51 shares
jump to recipe
Rotel Dip Recipe Pinterest Pin Image
Rotel Dip Recipe Pinterest Pin Image
Rotel Dip Recipe Pinterest Pin Image

Rotel Dip is a flavorful and delicious queso dip made with just 3 simple ingredients – Velveeta cheese, Rotel, and ground beef. Super easy to make on the stovetop or in the slow cooker, enjoy this delicious party appetizer with your favorite crunchy veggies and salty tortilla chips.

Wooden spoon filled with rotel dip resting on top of a white bowl filled with cheesy rotel dip.

Rotel Cheese Dip

This crowd-pleasing Rotel dip recipe is similar to my popular Velveeta Cheese Dip (but is even easier to make!). Made with just three main ingredients, it takes just 20 minutes to make and is the perfect easy appetizer for game days, parties, and holiday celebrations. Creamy, cheesy, and completely irresistible.

Rotel Dip Ingredients

  • Ground beef
  • Velveeta cheese
  • Rotel tomatoes
  • Garlic powder (optional)
  • Onion powder (optional)

What is Velveeta cheese? Velveeta cheese is a “pasteurized prepared cheese product” that was invented in 1918 to extend the shelf life of cheese. Made from a blend of different processed cheeses, other dairy products, and emulsifying salts that hold the product together and help with melting.

What is Ro-tel (Rotel)? Ro-Tel is simply the brand name for a specific line of canned diced tomatoes with green chilies. You will find several varieties with varying degrees of hotness (mild, medium, spicy).

Three images in a collage; image one shows the ingredients needed to make rotel dip - ground beef, velveeta cheese, and rotel salsa, image 2 shows cubes of velveeta cheese, rotel salsa, and browned ground beef in a large nonstick skillet; and image three shows a Large skillet filled with hot queso rotel dip.

How to Make Rotel Dip

  1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet set over medium-high heat. As it cooks, break apart the meat into smaller pieces using a meat or potato masher.
  2. After the meat has finished cooking, drain any excess grease from the pan and season with garlic powder (optional), onion powder (optional), salt, and black pepper.
  3. Add the cubes of Velveeta cheese and the Rotel tomatoes to the skillet with the cooked ground beef.
  4. Cook over medium heat until the Velveeta is melted and all ingredients completely combine.

Crockpot Rotel Dip

Brown the ground beef on the stovetop as instructed, then transfer the cooked beef, Velveeta cheese, and Rotel to your Crockpot. Cook on high for 2 hours or on low for 4 hours. Set it to warm while serving.

Large white bowl filled with warm rotel dip garnished with chopped tomatoes and cilantro served with a bowl of tortilla chips.

Modifications and Substitutions

  • In place of ground beef, try adding ground pork sausage, breakfast sausage, chorizo, taco meat, or ground turkey.
  • Replace the Velveeta cheese with equal amounts of full-fat cream cheese.
  • If you don’t have a can of Rotel tomatoes, add a can of diced tomatoes with a can of green chiles. Salsa is another great alternative.
  • Season your ground meat with 1-2 tablespoons of taco seasoning.
  • Other delicious additions include black beans, chili beans, full-fat sour cream, cheddar cheese, diced bell peppers, and green onions (to garnish).
Single tortilla chip scooping rotel cheese dip from a large white bowl filled with rotel dip.

Frequently Asked Questions

My dip is a little too thick. What should I do?

If your dip is too thick, add a little milk -about a tablespoon at a time – as you stir. You can also add more Rotel to thin it out.

My dip is too thin. What should I do?

If your dip is too thin, sprinkle a couple of teaspoons of cornstarch or flour. Start with one teaspoon and add a second if needed.

Can Rotel dip be prepared in advance?

Yes. Prepare as outlined in the recipe card below and then transfer to an airtight container and keep stored in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, remove from the fridge and reheat on the stovetop, microwave, or slow cooker over low heat.

Wooden spoon filled with rotel dip resting on top of a white bowl filled with cheesy rotel dip.

What to Serve with Rotel Dip

This easy dip is fantastic with fresh veggies like carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower, but I typically serve it with tortilla chips, pita chips, or pretzels. You can also add it to your favorite Mexican recipes like burritos and quesadillas.

More Easy Dip Recipes

  • The Best Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe
  • Velveeta Cheese Dip with Sausage
  • Hot Crab Artichoke Dip Recipe
  • Easy Black Bean Dip Recipe
  • Garlic Aioli

If you try making this Rotel Dip Recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know! I always love to hear your thoughts.

Wooden spoon filled with rotel dip resting on top of a white bowl filled with cheesy rotel dip.

Rotel Dip

5 from 5 votes
Chef: Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked SpoonJessica Randhawa
Rotel Dip is a flavorful and delicious queso dip made with just 3 simple ingredients – Velveeta cheese, Rotel, and ground beef. Super easy to make on the stovetop or in the slow cooker, enjoy this delicious party appetizer with your favorite crunchy veggies and salty tortilla chips.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Course Appetizer, Beef
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 277 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder - optional
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder - optional
  • salt and black pepper - to taste
  • 16 ounces Velveeta cheese - sliced into cubes
  • 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions
 

  • Add the ground beef to a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Using a meat masher or potato masher to break apart the meat into smaller pieces.
  • Brown the ground beef until cooked through. Drain any excess grease. Season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper, if desired.
  • Chop the Velveeta cheese into small cubes. Add the Velveeta and the can of Rotel (no need to drain the liquid) to the skillet with the cooked ground beef.
  • Stir thoroughly until the Velveeta has melted and all of the ingredients have completely combined. Serve it with tortilla chips or fresh veggies like carrots and broccoli.

Jessica’s Notes

  • Instead of ground beef, you can use ground sausage, spicy sausage, breakfast sausage, taco meat, and even ground turkey.
  • Leftovers: Keep leftovers stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
  • Freezing: Transfer any leftover dip to an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
  • Thawing/Reheating: Thaw frozen Rotel dip in the refrigerator before reheating. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave at 30-second increments until heated through. If the dip is too thick, add a little milk, about one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency.
  • Alternative to Velveeta cheese: Full-fat cream cheese.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 941mg | Potassium: 419mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 598IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 347mg | Iron: 2mg

(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)

Keyword Rotel Cheese Dip, Rotel Dip, Rotel Dip Recipe
Did You Make This Recipe? Tag it Today!Mention @theforkedspoon or tag #theforkedspoon and please leave your star rating in the comment section below.

About Jessica

Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

Jessica Randhawa is the head chef, photographer, and recipe developer of The Forked Spoon. Jessica fell in love with cooking while traveling through Asia and Europe, where she discovered her passion for good food and new adventures. Her recipes have been featured on Yahoo, MSN, USA Today, FeedFeed, and many more. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California.

51 shares
Profile photo of chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

About Jessica Randhawa

Jessica Randhawa is the head chef, photographer, and recipe developer of The Forked Spoon. Jessica fell in love with cooking while traveling through Asia and Europe, where she discovered her passion for good food and new adventures. Her recipes have been featured on Yahoo, MSN, USA Today, FeedFeed, and many more. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Chef Jessica Randhawa of The Forked Spoon

I’m Jessica! Aka mom, wife, chef, and travel-obsessed photographer. Welcome to The Forked Spoon. Here you can browse hundreds of incredible family-friendly recipes covering dozens of diets, courses, and cuisines. Learn more about me.

Reader Favorites

  • Perfect, clear, beef bone broth in a large stockpot. Bone Broth Recipe (How to Make Bone Broth)
  • Acai bowl topped with fresh fruit and granola. Acai Bowl Recipe – How to Make Your Own Acai Bowl
  • A close up of a bowl Chimichurri Chimichurri Recipe (How to Make Chimichurri Sauce)
  • White bowl filled with homemade chicken soup. The Best Chicken Soup Recipe
  • Bok Choy being cooked in a wok with a spoonful of garlic sauce 10 Minute Garlic Bok Choy Recipe
  • Large white oval serving dish filled with homemade classic macaroni salad garnished with a light dusting of paprika and fresh chopped parsley. Macaroni Salad
Logo of The Forked Spoon by Jessica Randhawa
The Forked Spoon has been featured on Yahoo, CountryLiving, MSN, Cosmopolitan, USA Today, and Parade
  • About
  • Browse Recipes
  • Contact
  • Accessibility Statement

Copyright © 2023 · The Forked Spoon LLC • Disclosure