This creamy, cheesy Rotel Dip is the ultimate party appetizer — bold, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make.
It combines taco-seasoned ground beef, spicy Rotel tomatoes, and melty Velveeta cheese for a dip that’s irresistibly smooth and satisfying.
Ready in just 15 minutes and made entirely in one pan, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion — from game days to family gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- ✅ Quick & Easy: Ready in just 15 minutes with minimal prep and cleanup.
- ✅ One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks in the same skillet for convenience.
- ✅ Rich & Creamy: Velveeta melts perfectly for a smooth, cheesy texture.
- ✅ Flavor-Packed: Taco-seasoned beef and Rotel tomatoes bring heat and zest.
- ✅ Crowd Favorite: Perfect for parties, potlucks, and game-day spreads.
- ✅ Customizable: Easily add beans, jalapeños, or swap proteins for variety.
Tools You’ll Need
- Large cast iron skillet or sauté pan
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Can opener
- Measuring spoons
- Knife and cutting board (for garnish)
- Optional: Medium crock pot (for serving and keeping warm)
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (85/15 or 90/10 for best balance of flavor and texture)
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning (homemade or 1 store-bought packet)
- 1 (16-ounce) block Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel tomatoes, undrained
- ½ cup sour cream (optional but recommended for added creaminess)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- Optional Garnish: Diced tomatoes, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro
- Serving Suggestion: Tortilla chips, pretzels, crackers, or fresh vegetables
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef
Place a large cast iron skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it browns. Continue until the meat is fully cooked and no longer pink. If you’re using beef with higher fat content, drain off any excess grease to prevent a greasy dip. - Season the Meat
Sprinkle in your taco seasoning and stir well to coat all the beef evenly. This step builds the flavor base for the dip. Allow it to cook for 1–2 minutes so the spices bloom in the heat. - Add Cheese and Tomatoes
Add the cubed Velveeta and pour in the entire can of Rotel tomatoes — do not drain. The liquid from the tomatoes helps the cheese melt into a silky, scoopable consistency. - Melt and Combine
Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir occasionally as the Velveeta melts. Keep stirring gently to avoid scorching. Once the cheese is completely melted, you should have a smooth, creamy, uniform dip. - Stir in Sour Cream (Optional)
If you’re using sour cream, remove the skillet from the heat and let it rest for a minute. Then stir in the sour cream until fully combined. This step gives your dip a subtle tang and extra creaminess. - Season and Serve
Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly cracked black pepper as desired. Garnish with chopped tomatoes, cilantro, and sliced green onions for color and freshness. - Serve Warm
Serve immediately with tortilla chips, crackers, or your favorite dippers. Keep warm on the stovetop over low heat or in a crock pot set to “warm.”
Tips for Perfect Rotel Dip
- Low and Slow: Melt the Velveeta over medium-low heat to keep the texture smooth and prevent graininess.
- Avoid Overcooking: Overheating can cause the cheese to become thick or rubbery.
- Crock Pot Serving: Once prepared, transfer the dip to a crock pot set to “low” or “warm” to keep it perfectly melty for hours.
- Add-Ins: Stir in black beans, pinto beans, or diced jalapeños for extra heartiness or spice.
- Switch Proteins: Try using ground pork, sausage, or chorizo for a different flavor twist.
- Make It Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or hot sauce for extra heat.
Variations
- Creamy Tex-Mex Dip: Add 2–4 ounces of cream cheese for a tangy, luscious texture.
- Vegetarian Version: Replace beef with black beans or meatless crumbles.
- Lighter Option: Use reduced-fat Velveeta and leaner ground meat.
- Fire-Roasted Kick: Substitute Rotel with fire-roasted diced tomatoes and green chilies.
FAQ
What is Rotel Dip made of?
It’s made with seasoned ground beef, Rotel tomatoes (diced tomatoes with green chilies), and melted Velveeta cheese — a simple three-ingredient base that’s easy and delicious.
Can I use cream cheese instead of sour cream?
Yes! Cream cheese gives the dip a thicker texture and a mild tang. You can use 2–4 ounces depending on how creamy you’d like it.
Is Rotel Dip the same as queso?
They’re similar, but not identical. Queso typically features cheese melted with salsa or tomatoes, while Rotel dip includes seasoned ground beef for a heartier result.
Make Ahead & Storage
Make Ahead:
Brown and season the beef up to a day in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, combine with Rotel and Velveeta in a skillet and cook until melted and creamy.
Storage:
Keep leftover dip in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Reheating:
Reheat on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently. The dip will thicken after chilling, so add a splash of milk, cream, or sour cream to loosen it to your desired consistency.
Conclusion
This Rotel Dip is a classic appetizer that combines convenience, comfort, and bold Tex-Mex flavor in every bite.
Whether you’re hosting a party, tailgating, or just want something cheesy to snack on, this dip is your ticket to instant crowd approval.
One pan, 15 minutes, and an empty bowl by the end of the night — guaranteed!
Category: Appetizer | Party Dip | Snack
The Best Rotel Dip Recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Brown the Ground Beef. Place a large cast iron skillet or sauté pan over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it browns. Continue until the meat is fully cooked and no longer pink. If you’re using beef with higher fat content, drain off any excess grease to prevent a greasy dip.
- Season the Meat. Sprinkle in your taco seasoning and stir well to coat all the beef evenly. This step builds the flavor base for the dip. Allow it to cook for 1–2 minutes so the spices bloom in the heat.
- Add Cheese and Tomatoes. Add the cubed Velveeta and pour in the entire can of Rotel tomatoes — do not drain. The liquid from the tomatoes helps the cheese melt into a silky, scoopable consistency.
- Melt and Combine. Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir occasionally as the Velveeta melts. Keep stirring gently to avoid scorching. Once the cheese is completely melted, you should have a smooth, creamy, uniform dip.
- Stir in Sour Cream (Optional). If you’re using sour cream, remove the skillet from the heat and let it rest for a minute. Then stir in the sour cream until fully combined. This step gives your dip a subtle tang and extra creaminess.
- Season and Serve. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly cracked black pepper as desired. Garnish with chopped tomatoes, cilantro, and sliced green onions for color and freshness.
- Serve Warm. Serve immediately with tortilla chips, crackers, or your favorite dippers. Keep warm on the stovetop over low heat or in a crock pot set to “warm.”
Notes
Hey there! I’m Steffan, the food lover and creator behind Biteblis.com. Thank you for stopping by! I hope you’ll explore, get inspired, and find something delicious to cook up at home. My mission is simple: to spread joy through food, one tasty bite at a time. For more info, visit About Us.