This easy Rotel Dip recipe is made with fresh ingredients for the best flavor. This classic creamy dip is made with ground beef, Rotel tomatoes, Mexican seasonings, half and half, and cheese.
You make with simple ingredients, this homemade Rotel Dip still packs a punch and is a crowd-pleaser! The rotel cheese dip recipe is unique because it does not include any Velveeta cheese (I promise you won’t miss it!).
We love creamy, cheesy, comforting foods but I also love making food with real ingredients — and real cheese is a must here! You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for a Rotel Dip without Velveeta.
Why You Will Love This Dip Recipe
- Easy to make
- Quick to make
- No Velveeta cheese needed
- No extra fillers: corn starch or flour needed to thicken it
- Double cheese – need I say more?
What Is Rotel Dip?
Rotel dip gets its name from the canned tomatoes that the dip is made with. Rotel’s original canned tomatoes are finely chopped tomatoes & green chilies (basically a combination of salsa and green chilies).
This dip is made traditionally with a can of Rotel tomatoes, spices, and Velveeta cheese sort of like a queso dip. This recipe is made with ground beef and instead of Velveeta or thickening with cornstarch or flour, it’s made with real shredded cheese for extra creaminess and a bit of tang we added cream cheese and some sour cream.
The recipe is seasoned with taco seasoning and the flavors come together deliciously in this cheese dip.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- ½ teaspoon chili powder or taco seasoning
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups half and half (you can sub evaporated or whole milk)
- 3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can Rotel tomatoes (original or mild) 284 ml
- Salt to taste
- tortilla chips for serving
Rotel Dip Recipe Ingredients
- ROTEL TOMATOES: All you need is 1 can of Rotel tomatoes and chilies. Do not drain – use the entire can. If you cannot get your hands on cans of Rotel in your area I recommend using a 10 oz can of finely diced tomatoes (I like to use Mutti) and feel free to add in a half can of chopped green chilies, or a couple of tablespoons of pickled minced jalapeños.
- GROUND BEEF: I usually use lean ground beef but you can also use ground pork Italian sausage even ground chicken, or ground turkey for a different protein. You can also make this dip using shredded chicken/ rotisserie chicken or leftover roasted chicken. Simply stir it in with the tomatoes to heat it and proceed with the recipe as written. This dip can easily be made meatless as well simply omit and saute the onion and garlic and proceed with the recipe as written.
- ONION & GARLIC: These are optional to add, but I like to add more flavor to the ground beef and dip itself by sautéing a small red onion or yellow onion and some garlic with the ground beef.
- TACO SEASONING: Feel free to use a store-bought package which I usually have on hand or use a homemade blend – you will need approx 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning or for homemade taco seasoning you will need a blend of 2 teaspoons of hot chili powder, 1½ teaspoons paprika, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon sea salt, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, ½ teaspoon oregano, ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste, 1 pinch cayenne pepper or red chili flakes, or to taste (Optional)
- CREAM CHEESE: I use full fat but feel free to use low fat if you wish. Room temperature recommended and cut into cubes
- SOUR CREAM: Adds creaminess and some tang to the dip
- SHREDDED CHEESE: I like to use yellow cheddar cheese but feel free to use white cheddar, pepper jack cheese, or a combination of them like a Tex Mex mix, or for more gooeyness feel free to substitute some of the cheddar with mozzarella cheese. I always suggest shredding your cheese as pre-shredded cheeses have additives that can create a grainy texture in your dip. GRATE your cheese nice and fine so it melts quickly and evenly in the dip.
How To Make Rotel Dip:
- BROWN MEAT: Saute the ground beef with the garlic and onions (drain off excess fat – optional)
- ADD TOMATOES: stir in the Rotel tomatoes, taco seasoning, cream cheese and sour cream
- ADD SHREDDED CHEESE: Stir in the shredded cheese a handful at a time while stirring and cooking over low heat until melted
- SERVE: once smooth and creamy, remove from heat and serve hot/warm with crackers, veggies or tortilla chips and whatever toppings you like
What to Serve with Rotel Dip:
- Tortilla chips
- Crackers or crisps, crostini
- Chopped veggies for dipping like carrots, celery, bell peppers, etc
- You can also serve it over nachos instead of the queso and ground beef add this dip!
- Can be served overloaded cheese fries as well
- This is also great over hot dogs or hamburgers for a chili dog/burger sort of deal
Storage, Make Ahead & Freezing Recommendations
- STORAGE: Store leftover Rotel dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop and serve
- MAKE AHEAD: Prepare the dip, cool it, and store it in the fridge in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave or on the stove and serve. perp it ahead, pour it into a slow cooker/crockpot, and keep it in a warm setting while entertaining!
- FREEZING: Allow dip to cool completely, transfer to an airtight, freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, heat in the microwave or on the stove, and serve.
Rotel Dip FAQs
Why is it called Rotel Dip?
Rotel Dip gets its name from the type of canned tomatoes it uses which gives it a signature flavor – Rotel tomatoes.
What is Rotel dip made of?
The basic ingredients of Rotel dip are Rotel tomatoes, meat, and cheese. The types of meat and cheeses used can vary, but you would normally find ground beef and Velveeta cheese in easy recipes.
What are the different kinds of Rotel?
Rotel tomatoes are diced canned tomatoes with green chilies. They come in a range of flavors and spice levels. On the milder side, there are the Mild and Original Rotel tomatoes. Then they have a variety of spicy flavors, including Hot, Chipotle, and Serrano.
Is Rotel the same as salsa?
Rotel tomatoes and salsa are different, though you can sometimes substitute one for the other in recipes without too much impact.
Rotel tomatoes only contain diced tomatoes and green chilies, whereas salsa usually also contains diced onions, cilantro, lime juice, and other seasonings.
The closest Rotel tomato substitute for salsa would be the Rotel Tomatoes – Mexican Style with Lime & Cilantro.
How do I store this recipe?
Store Rotel Dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat it on the microwave or on the stove top at a low heat, but you may need to add in some half and half or milk to make it less thick.
Recipe!
Homemade Rotel Dip Recipe
Equipment
- pot
- Mixing bowls
- Dutch oven
Ingredients
- 1 ib lean ground beef
- 1/2 tbsp chili powder or taco seasoning
- 1 1/2 cup half and half (you can sub evaporated or whole milk)
- 1 cup Rotel tomatoes (original or mild) 284 ml
- 3 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- salt to taste
- Tortilla chips for serving
Instructions
- BROWN MEAT: Saute the ground beef with the garlic and onions (drain off excess fat – optional)
- ADD TOMATOES: stir in the Rotel tomatoes, taco seasoning, cream cheese and sour cream
- ADD SHREDDED CHEESE: Stir in the shredded cheese a handful at a time while stirring and cooking over low heat until melted
- SERVE: once smooth and creamy, remove from heat and serve hot/warm with crackers, veggies or tortilla chips, and whatever toppings you like
Notes
NOTES
Why You Will Love This Rotel Dip Recipe
- Easy to make
- Quick to make
- No Velveeta cheese needed
- No extra fillers: corn starch or flour needed to thicken it